Language Use in Main Linguistic Domains in Kemissie Town
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Date
2013-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe language use patterns for the main linguistic
domains in Kemissie town. The study is mainly based on information gathered through
a questionnaire distributed among 214 randomly selected respondents.
The findings show that Kemissie is a multilingual town where four languages are
spoken side-by-side: Amharic, Afaan Oromoo, Afar, and Argobba. Amharic and Afaan
Oromoo are the most frequently spoken mother tongues with almost the same number
of speakers. While Afaan Oromoo is predominantly spoken by the respondents’ parents
and spouses, Amharic is the most frequently used language of the respondents’ children
and siblings. A comparison of intergenerational language use reveals a shifting process
towards Amharic. On the other hand, Amharic and Afaan Oromoo are most frequently
learnt as the second language in the family domain. In main domains, i.e., family,
neighborhood, school, religion and administration, Amharic is clearly used as dominant
means of communication by the majority of the respondents. The only exception is the
court, where a combination of Amharic and Afaan Oromoo dominates.
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describe language use patterns for the main, linguistic domains in Kemissie town