Onomatopoetic-ideophones in Ethiopian languages, with particular reference to Amharic

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Periodical article

Title:	Onomatopoetic-ideophones in Ethiopian languages, with particular reference to Amharic
Author:	Leyew, Zelealem
Year:	2011
Periodical:	Journal of Ethiopian Studies (ISSN 0304-2243)
Volume:	44
Pages:	1-46
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	Amharic language linguistics
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/44326698
Abstract:	Research was carried out to identify, describe and classify a large number of onomatopoetic ideophones in Ethiopian languages with special emphasis on Amharic. The author had prepared a list of 500 words suspected to be phono-semantically transparent from daily use. The list was presented to 100 student respondents, who were selected on the basis of their (a) native or native-like competence in Amharic (for good perception and interpretation), and (b) linguistic orientation (for an adequate understanding of word formation and phono-semanticity). Out of the original list, 240 words were judged by more than 80% of the respondents to be phono-semantically transparent. This final list of 240 words is annexed to the article. Languages other than Amharic were selected as much as possible from each language family (Cushitic, Omotic, Semitic and Nilo-Saharan) for cross-checking. App., bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]