Abstract
Though a lot of studies have been conducted on Amharic, studies on its phonology are very few and even those studies do not agree on the number and inventory of Amharic consonant phonemes. This study argues that there are 19 labialised Amharic phonemes. The study argues that overgeneralization of labialisation and loss of /w/ cannot account for all the occurrences of labialised consonants in Amharic. Minimal pair test and derivation of agentive and adjutative forms are presented as evidences to show the phonemic status of labialised consonants in Amharic.
Highlights
Though a lot of studies have been conducted on Amharic, studies on its phonology are very few and even those studies do not agree on the number and inventory of Amharic consonant phonemes
Amharic is a South Ethio-Semitic language spoken by over 21 million Native speakers according to the 2007 census (Central Statistical Agency (CSA) 2018)
It is spoken mainly in central and northern parts of Ethiopia mainly in the Amhara National Regional State that comprises of Wollo, Gojjam, Gonder and North Shoa
Summary
Though a lot of studies have been conducted on Amharic, studies on its phonology are very few and even those studies do not agree on the number and inventory of Amharic consonant phonemes. Amharic is a South Ethio-Semitic language spoken by over 21 million Native speakers according to the 2007 census (Central Statistical Agency (CSA) 2018). It is spoken mainly in central and northern parts of Ethiopia mainly in the Amhara National Regional State that comprises of Wollo, Gojjam, Gonder and North Shoa. Amharic is the working language of the federal government and four regional states: the Amhara, the Benishangul Gumuz, the Gambela and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples regional states. Sande & Hedding (2017), propose a phonemic inventory of Amharic consonants that excludes the velar labialised consonants. Baye (2008), puts the number of Amharic consonant phonemes to 30, including the palatals and velar labialised consonants
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