Documentation and Description of Hadiyya (A Highland East Cushitic Language of Ethiopia)

369 Pages·2015·4.162 MB·

by  Tadesse Sibamo Garkebo

Documentation and Description of Hadiyya
(A Highland East Cushitic Language of Ethiopia)

Tadesse Sibamo Garkebo
Supervisor: Joachim Crass (PhD)

A Dissertation Submitted to the
Department of Linguistics and Philology
College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication

Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Documentary Linguistics and Culture

Addis Ababa University
January, 2015

Acknowledgments
A number of people have contributed, over the years, to the successful realization of the present
study.
First and foremost, I extend my utmost gratefulness to my supervisor Dr. Joachim Crass for his
constructively critical, detailed comments and moral support. He constantly gave me
professional comments and advice on my dissertation. His extensive comments and
encouragements contributed a lot to the development of this research work, starting from
beginning to end. Of course, no amount of words would equate with his contribution. Thank you
so much, Dr. Crass! And God bless you!

I would like to express my deepest thanks to Alebachew Kemiso, my Hadiyya native speaker
consultant, who has provided me with data constantly over the years. I further extend my
heartfelt gratitude to my linguistic informants who helped me in material provision and data
elicitation: Tesfaye Woldemeskel, Wondimu Abule, and Earsiido Antese.

I am especially also indebted to my colleague, Samuel Handamo, for reading the near-final
version and for commenting in detail on matters of substance as well as style starting from its
conception to completion.

My special thanks are due to Professor Baye Yimam, Dr. Ronny Meyer, Dr. Hirut
Woldemariam, Dr. Anne-Christie Hellenthal, Dr. Moges Yigezu, Dr. Zelealem Liyew, Dr.
Shimelis Mazengia, Dr. Zelealem Tefera, Dr. Bayleyegn Tasew, Aklilu Yilma, Dr. Andreas
Joswig, Dr. Graziano Savà, Schneider-Blum from whose classes I have learned a lot, which is
directly and indirectly reflected in this thesis.

Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Amanuel Alemayehu and Girma Mengistu who helped
me in reading, making valuable comments. My colleagues and friends at Addis Ababa
University helped me in one way or the other: Dinkessa Deressa, Teshome Yehualashet, Dr.
Bedilu Wakjira, Dr. Derib Ado (former Chairman of the Department), Dr. Amsalu Tefera (Chair
person of the Department), Dr. Endalew Assefa (Graduate Program Coordinator), Dr. Biniam
Sisay, Rawda Siraj, Dr. Feda Negese, Geberew Tullu, Dr. Getachew Adugna. Thanks are due
also to my classmates (PhD students) in the field of Documentary Linguistics and Culture at
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AAU: Getachew Anteneh, Kibebe Tsehay, Mulugeta Negasa, Sillasie Cheru, Aynalem Aredo,
Teshome Belay, Tesfaye Baye, Wondimu Gaga, Mesfin Mesele, Kuri Bayisa and Tesfaye
Negash. I thank my colleagues and friends Dr. Kidanemariam Paulos, Deneke Lafebo, Beliyu
Amha, Mengistu Fiseha and Adane Mammo for their encouragement.

My thanks are also forwarded to my families: Elias Tiro and his family, Tireza Woldesenbet,
Fikre Gabore, Kumsa Fufa, Alemitu Sibamo, Lada Sullamo, Zeyneba, Temesgen, Solomon,
Berhanu and Girmachew Handiso for their moral and material support over all my academic life.
My utmost gratitude goes to my wife Tigist Handiso for taking over all my responsibilities at
home. Without her cooperation, patience, understanding, sacrifice, and encouragement the
completion of this thesis would not be practical. My special thanks also go to Dinknesh, who
has taken care of our kids, Saron and Liya (Titi).

To all the above individuals and to several friends and colleagues whose names I cannot continue
listing and who have helped me directly or indirectly I feel very much indebted.

Hundam Lobakata Galatt’oommo !

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Table of contents Page
Acknowledgements------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i
List of tables-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii
Abbreviations and symbols-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ix

1. Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
1.1. The people-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
1.2. Language------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
1.3. Review of previous works----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
1.4. Objective of the study---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
1.5. Significance of the study-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
1.6. Methodology-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
2. Phonology----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
2.1. Consonant Phonemes---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
2.1.1. The distribution of consonants phonemes-------------------------------------------------------------22
2.1.2. Gemination------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------23
2.2. The vowel phonemes----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------25
2.2.1. Vowel phonemes overview------------------------------------------------------------------------------25
2.2.2. Vowel length----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27
2.2.3. The distribution of vowel phonemes-------------------------------------------------------------------27
2.3. Co-occurrence restrictions---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------28
2.4. Pitch accent---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------31
2.5. Syllable structure--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------33
2.6. Morphophonemic processes-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------36
2.6.1. Epenthesis-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------36
2.6.2. Assimilation-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37
2.6.3. Metathesis-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------39
2.6.3.1. Nasal metathesis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------39
2.6.3.2. Glottal metathesis-------------------------------------------------------------------------------40
2.6.4. Palatalization----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------40
3. Nouns---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42
3.1. Citation form of nouns-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42
3.2. Inflections of the noun-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------44
3.2.1. Gender-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------44
3.2.2. Number----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------46
3.2.3. Definiteness-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------52
3.2.4. Case--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------55
3.2.4.1. The absolutive------------------------------------------------------------------------------------55
3.2.4.2. The nominative-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------57
3.2.4.3. The genitive---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------59
3.2.4.4. The dative-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------61
3.2.4.5. The ablative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------62
3.2.4.6. The locative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------63
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3.2.4.7. The comitative------------------------------------------------------------------------------------66
3.2.4.8. The instrumental---------------------------------------------------------------------------------66
3.3. Nominal derivation and compounding-------------------------------------------------------------------------68
3.3.1. Nominal derivation---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------69
3.3.1.1. Abstract nominals--------------------------------------------------------------------------------70
3.3.1.2. Agentive nominals-------------------------------------------------------------------------------72
3.3.1.3. Instrumental nominals---------------------------------------------------------------------------74
3.3.1.4. Nominals formed from extended verb stems-------------------------------------------------74
3.3.1.4.1. Nominals derived from passive verb stems------------------------------------------74
3.3.1.4.2. Nominals derived from reciprocal verb stems---------------------------------------75
3.3.1.4.3. Nominals derived from causative verb stems----------------------------------------76
3.3.1.4.4. Nominals derived from reflexive verb stems----------------------------------------77
3.3.2. Compound nouns-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------78
4. Pronouns------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------84
4.1. Personal pronouns and their inflection-------------------------------------------------------------------------84
4.1.1. The subject pronouns-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------85
4.1.2. The object pronouns -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------86
4.1.3. The dative pronouns--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------87
4.1.4. The genitive/possessive pronouns----------------------------------------------------------------------88
4.1.5. The ablative pronouns------------------------------------------------------------------------------------89
4.1.6. The reflexive pronouns-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------90
4.1.7. The comitative pronouns---------------------------------------------------------------------------------91
4.1.8. The vocative-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------92
4.2. Interrogative pronouns -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------92
5. Verbs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------98
5.1. Structure of Verb stems-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------98
5.2. Verb inflection-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------99
5.2.1. Subject agreement marking------------------------------------------------------------------------------99
5.2.2. Aspect marking------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------104
5.2.2.1. Perfective---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------105
5.2.2.2. Present Perfect---------------------------------------------------------------------------------107
5.2.2.3. Imperfective------------------------------------------------------------------------------------109
5.2.2.3.1. Imperfective aspect--------------------------------------------------------------------109
5.2.2.3.2. Progressive aspect---------------------------------------------------------------------112
5.2.3. Tense------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------113
5.2.4. Mood------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------115
5.2.4.1. The declarative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------115
5.2.4.2. The interrogative-------------------------------------------------------------------------------116
5.2.4.3. The imperative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------117
5.2.4.4. The jussive--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------119
5.2.4.5. The conditional mood-------------------------------------------------------------------------121
5.3. Verbal derivation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------123
5.3.1. Passive stem----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------123
5.3.2. Causative stem------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------126
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5.3.3. Reciprocal-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------130
5.3.4. Middle voice-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------131
5.3.5. The frequentative-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------135
6. Nominal and verbal modifiers-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------137
6.1. Adjectives----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------137
6.1.1. Inflection---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------139
6.1.2. Derivation--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------144
6.1.3. Semantic fields--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------148
6.2. Numerals-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------150
6.3. Quantifiers----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------152
6.4. Deixis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------154
6.4.1. Spatial deictics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------154
6.4.1.1. Dependent (modifying) demonstratives-------------------------------------------------------154
6.4.1.1.1. The proximal demonstratives----------------------------------------------------------156
6.4.1.1.2. The medial demonstratives-------------------------------------------------------------158
6.4.1.1.3. The distal demonstratives--------------------------------------------------------------159
6.4.1.2. Independent (nominal) demonstratives--------------------------------------------------------160
6.4.2. Locative deictics------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------162
6.4.3. Directional------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------164
6.4.4. Manner deictics------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------165
6.4.5. Temporal deictics----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------165
7. Conjunctions-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------169
7.1. Coordinative-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------169
7.2. Inclusive------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------173
7.3. Alternative----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------174
7.4. Resultative----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------176
7.5. Adversative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------178
8. Sentence structure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------179
8.1. Simple declarative sentences------------------------------------------------------------------------------------179
8.1.1. The affirmative declarative-----------------------------------------------------------------------------179
8.1.2. The negative declarative--------------------------------------------------------------------------------180
8.2. Interrogatives------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------184
8.2.1. Polar interrogatives---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------184
8.2.2. Non-polar interrogatives---------------------------------------------------------------------------------189
8.3. Copular construction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------194
8.4. Relative clauses----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------201
8.5. The converb--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------205
8.6. The conditional clauses-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------209
8.7. Concessive clauses------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------211
8.8. Word Order--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------212
8.8.1. Word order in noun phrase------------------------------------------------------------------------------212
8.8.2. Word order in verbal sentences-------------------------------------------------------------------------216
References-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------222
9. Appendix A. Texts------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------226
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Text 1. The mourning ceremony of Hadiyya-----------------------------------------------------------------------227
Text 2. Conflict resolution method-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------239
Text 3. Types of marriage in Hadiyya-------------------------------------------------------------------------------248
Text 4. Tale (A farmer and a leopard) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------255
Text 5. Tale (The rich and the poor neighbors) --------------------------------------------------------------------259
Text 6. Proverbs---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------266
Text 7. Riddles----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------275
Appendix B. Sentences---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------280
Appendix C. Word list----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------324
Appendix D: Summary of the consultants’ data---------------------------------------------------------------------355
Appendix E: Photographs------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------356
Appendix F: Maps--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------356

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Tables
Table1: The Population distribution of Hadiyya zone--------------------------------------------------------------5
Table 2: The Latin based Hadiyya orthography--------------------------------------------------------------------17
Table 3: Consonant phonemes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
Table 4: Contrasting consonant phonemes--------------------------------------------------------------------------21
Table 5: The distribution of consonant phonemes-----------------------------------------------------------------22
Table 6: Contrasts of short and long consonants-------------------------------------------------------------------23
Table 7: Geminated consonants intervocalically-------------------------------------------------------------------24
Table 8: The vowel phonemes of Hadiyya-------------------------------------------------------------------------26
Table 9: Contrasts of short and long vowels------------------------------------------------------------------------28
Table 10: The distribution of vowel phonemes---------------------------------------------------------------------31
Table 11: Sequences of consonants----------------------------------------------------------------------------------36
Table 12: The syllable structure--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------41
Table 13: ABS-NOM case distinction in disyllabic and trisyllabic proper nouns-----------------------------59
Table 14: Genitive structure------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------60
Table 15: Genitive NPs relationship---------------------------------------------------------------------------------60
Table 16: Summary of case marking morphemes -----------------------------------------------------------------68
Table 17: Personal pronouns -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------84
Table 18: Subject and object pronouns------------------------------------------------------------------------------86
Table 19: The dative pronouns---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------87
Table 20: Reflexive pronoun with different case markers--------------------------------------------------------90
Table 21: The comitative pronouns----------------------------------------------------------------------------------91
Table 22: Interrogative pronouns-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------92
Table 23: The case paradigm of the interrogative pronoun ʔájje ‘who’-----------------------------------------93
Table 24: The case paradigm of the interrogative pronoun máha ‘what’--------------------------------------94
Table 25: The CV-structure of verb roots--------------------------------------------------------------------------98
Table 26: Subject agreement markers on verbs-------------------------------------------------------------------100
Table 27: Inflectional suffixes on main verbs---------------------------------------------------------------------101
Table 28: Subject agreement markers on main verbs------------------------------------------------------------102
Table 29: Synchronic analysis of the person and tense/aspect suffixes (Perrett 2000:63)------------------103
Table 30: Perfective aspect------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------105
Table 31: Perfective marker-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------106
Table 32: The perfective aspect suffixes---------------------------------------------------------------------------107
Table 33: Perfect aspect----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------108
Table 34: Affirmative and negative paradigms between perfective and perfect aspect---------------------109
Table 35: Imperfective aspect---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------110
Table 36: The imperfective aspect suffixes -------------------------------------------------------------------112
Table 37: Aspect vowels---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------113
Table 38: Negative past paradigms---------------------------------------------------------------------------------114
Table 39: Past progressive-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------114
Table 40: An inventory of mood markers of Hadiyya-----------------------------------------------------------122
Table 41: Reciprocal verb stems------------------------------------------------------------------------------------130
Table 42: Adjectives from different semantic fields-------------------------------------------------------------149
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Table 43: Cardinals and ordinal numbers from one to 19-------------------------------------------------------150
Table 44: Cardinals greater than nineteen-------------------------------------------------------------------------151
Table 45: Nominal demonstrative in Hadiyya (Dereje 2013:30)-----------------------------------------------155
Table 46: Dependent demonstratives-------------------------------------------------------------------------------160
Table 47: Independent demonstratives that indicating proximity and distance-------------------------------160
Table 48: Hadiyya question words---------------------------------------------------------------------------------189
Table 49: Obligatory occurrence of -tte to yes or no questions’ responses-----------------------------------199

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