This study investigates contact-induced grammatical change with specific emphasis on the prefinal imperfectives –ang and -ag in Swahili. Strategies for marking tense and aspect in Swahili and Bantu languages have been analyzed in a number of books, book chapters and articles. Despite the incontrovertible upsurge in the use of prefinal imperfectives, particularly in communicative interactions amongst the youth in urban settings, investigations into this phenomenon are scarce. Based on naturally occurring data obtained in Nairobi, Kenya and observations and interpretations, this study attempts to analyze the morphosyntactic and semantic features of prefinal imperfectives –ang and -ag in Swahili. First, background information conducive to understanding this grammatical change is provided. This includes the standardization of Swahili and its impact on present-day Swahili, strategies to mark tense and aspect in Swahili and other Bantu languages, semantic features of imperfectivity in Swahili, the prominent roles of mimesis in acquiring a second language in contact situations, the S-curve of language change and its applicability, and the disadvantages of prescriptive grammar rules. All these key concepts and topics are interrelated, and less researched topics must be included to systemically and clearly explain language change. Accordingly, this study is designed to enhance our understanding regarding one of the aspects of grammatical change from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives.

Kim Eun-hye. 2016. “The new feature of prefinal ending ‘-si-’: Inanimate object honorific marker－Focusing on speech comparison of department stores and local markets－”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 24(1). 91~113. The aim of this study is to research the new function of Korean honorific prefinal ending ‘-si-’ by field survey as well as to emphasize the need to be discussed this circumstance in Korean education. The object of this study ‘-si-’ is the most representative Korean subject honorific marker. It had been only used to person, but is now also used for inanimate object. Especially, it could be found in luxury service industries such as hotel, department store, and restaurant. Therefore, this language variation can be connected with social class. In order to research the new feature of ‘-si-’, Labov(1966)’s methodology which is modified for this study was applied. Then, dialogues between employees and customers from the department store and local market were collected. In addition, this study surveyed to find out Korean native speakers’ awareness about new feature of ‘-si-’. Thus, this research has significance by finding the new features of ‘-si-’ through field surveys and questionnaires as well as making realistic mention about ‘-si-’ in Korean linguistics.