The Grammaticalization of Copula Markers in the Ometo Subgroup
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Date
2010-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is about the grammaticalization of the affirmative copula forms -tte and -kko
within a single genetic unit, the Ometo languages. The main objective was to identify,
describe, and explain the grammaticalization processes and paths taken by the morphemes.
The data on the morphemes were collected from grammars, dictionaries, and texts of the
respective languages. The collected data were then analyzed within the framework of the
theory of grammaticalization. The result of the analysis shows that the morphemes have
developed from existential verbs and have further evolved into focus markers in some
languages of the sub-group. The developmental path taken by the forms is:
Existential + Agr locative copula Copula focus
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Keywords
copula forms -tte and -kko within, a single genetic unit, the Ometo languages