Classification and Logical Structure of Basic-level Statives in Afaan Oromoo

Abstract

This study describes the classification and logical structure of basic-level stative situations in Afaan Oromoowithin Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). Afaan Oromoo is one of the Lowland East Cushitic Languagesunder Afroasiatic phylum. The method employed in the study is qualitative, in which several library works,data gathering short trips and elicitation (content analysis) of written texts (written web corpora developed bythe HaBit project in 2016 and grades 9-12 Afaan Oromoo textbooks) have been made. For elicitation, Western(Maccaa) variety has been considered using purposive sampling technique. Accordingly, verbs in AfaanOromoo are semantically classified into five fundamental categories according to their dynamicity vs. stativity,telicity vs. atelicity, and durativity vs. instantaneous: statives, activities, semelfactives, achievements, andaccomplishments. Statives, which have static, atelic and durative temporal features, are categorized on the basisof the semantic roles of the arguments: identificational, locative, attributive, possession, cognitive, emotive, andperceptive statives. The general logical structure of these stative types is identified as [Pred‟ (x, y) or Pred‟ (x)],where Pred‟ is verbal, copular or adjectival, „x‟ stands for the first, and „y‟ is for the second argument. On thebasis of the findings, Afaan Oromoo lacks morphological markers for all types of stative; however, only thesemantic roles of the arguments distinguish one from the other. Lastly, it is apparent that this study may providethe foundation for further studies regarding the interface of syntax and semantics in Afaan Oromoo to establishcomprehensive knowledge about the language.