A Sociolinguistic Survey Report; Revisiting the Southern Agaw Language Areas of Ethiopia
Download:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
silesr2011_047.pdf | 448.99 KB |
Statement of Responsibility:
Joswig, Andreas and Hussein Mohammed
Series Issue:
Issue Date:
2011
Publisher:
SIL International
Publisher Place:
Is Part Of Series:
SIL Electronic Survey Reports 2011-047
Extent:
Abstract:
In 1971, Roger Wenman Cowley published a short article on “The Kunfal people and
their language,” providing some data on a group of people living in the area west of
Lake T’ana in Ethiopia. Since then, no further research has been conducted on the
people or the language. This report is based on two recent language survey trips to the
area reported in Cowley’s article. A vital community was found that matches Cowley’s
description, but rejects the name “Kunfäl,” as this is seen as a derogatory name. Their
language is a variety of Southern Agaw (or Awngi) which, in pure linguistic terms,
could be seen as distinct enough to be counted as a separate language. The speakers
insist that their language is the same as Awngi, and they have no difficulty
understanding materials produced for that language. Based on this, it is recommended
that this variety be treated as a dialect of Awngi. This report also provides comparative
data (including a wordlist) between various Awngi dialects and the varieties spoken
west of Lake T’ana; also, a map of the Awngi language area based on the results of this
study.
Publication Status:
Published
Country:
Ethiopia
Subject Languages:
Content Language:
Work Type:
Subject:
Nature of Work:
Entry Number:
43052