An Account of Lucumí : An Investigation into the Yoruboid Origin of Lucumí

Abstract: In the following thesis, an analysis of the fundamental aspects of Lucumí phonology and word-formation will be presented with the aim of determining the extent to which this liturgical language is related to Standard Yoruba. Additionally, this thesis will provide an overview of selected socio-cultural and historical factors pertaining to the environment in which Lucumí developed. This overview aims to offer a general perspective on how interactions with other languages may have influenced certain innovations observed in Lucumí. However, it is important to note that the scope of this research is primarily confined to the comparison of sound correspondences between Lucumí and Yoruba, which is considered to be the ancestral language of Lucumí. The findings of this historical examination reveal that there is a minimum of 29% cognates in basic vocabulary between Lucumí and Standard Yoruba. This implies that, at a lexical level, Lucumí can be classified as a close relative of Yoruba. Nevertheless, the dynamic evolution of phonemes and allophones appears to be arbitrary, lacking clear and consistent correspondences. In the thesis this phenomenon is discussed as being effects of language death. From a phonological perspective, Lucumí demonstrates evident influences from various languages, most notably Spanish, as well as a substantial number of loanwords whose origins are not thoroughly addressed within the confines of this thesis.