PANEL 6.03 Finiteness in Ethiopian Languages
Coordination:Ronny Meyer , Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia;
Joachim Crass , Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The finite/non-finite distinction frequently occurs in grammars but there is no general consensus regarding a cross-linguistic definition of finiteness (see Nikolaeva 2007). While some scholars consider finiteness to be a phrasal category, mainly defined by TAM and person marking, other believe that it is a clausal category which also encompasses illocutionary force, i.e. markers of assertion, questions, etc.
With regard to Ethiopian languages, the finite/non-finite distinction displays a high degree of cross-linguistic variability, even within the same linguistic sub-families. In Ethiosemitic, for instance, independent affirmative clauses with an imperfective verb may contain only the inflected verb (e.g., Ge’ez or Tigrinya), or additional obligatorily information for tense (e.g., Amharic), focus (e.g., Zay; also Somali), or illocutionary force (e.g., Muher, Kistane). Further, several unsettled debates mainly center on finiteness, e.g., whether “converbs” exist in Ethiosemitic languages or about the function of the additional morphemes on main clause verbs in Highland East Cushitic languages, etc.
The aim of this panel is to give an overview about the variability of finiteness in Ethiopian languages in order to investigate whether there are common constructions for finiteness and, if yes, how they may have emerged.
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SELECTED PAPERS
|
Prof. |
BAYE YIMAM |
Movement in Amharic |
|
Dr. |
BULAKH Maria |
Multiple exponence in imperfective paradigms of Transversal South Ethio-Semitic languages |
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Dr. |
CRASS Joachim |
Degrees of finiteness in Libido |
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Prof. |
EDZARD Lutz |
The finite–infinite dichotomy in a comparative Semitic perspective |
|
Dr. |
MEYER Ronny |
Finiteness in Gurage languages |
|
Mr |
MULUSEW ASRATIE |
Predicate Case in Amharic premary and secondary predication |
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Prof. Dr. |
WENINGER Stefan |
Wandering along the border of finiteness: The Ethio-Semitic converb(s) in a diachronic perspective |
PAPER SUBMISSION
before September 30, 2012