The Focus System in Oromo ( A functional Grammar Approach )
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Date
1990-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study deals with the function of focus in Oromo. It
attempts to ShO~1 the different me chanisms in which focus
functions are realized. Dik (1978) developed the theory of FG
with the view point of functional nature of a l anguage . It
is stated in his stud y that ~agmatic Functi on is one of
the three levels of Functional nations. Focus is regarded
as one of the four 1f.ragmat ic Functions. Focus presents .,ha t
is r el ative ly the most important or salient informa,tion in ~
given setting . Even though Focus is a universal fa~ture of
any language~ 'he types, the scopes, the functions and
d istribution of Focus vary from language to language. The
" :" distri):JUtion of fo
study exam ines the types, the scopes, the funct:l.Ons .Ailu.,,~ll
Oromo in the light of Dik (1978) and (1989) .
The study has three chapter.: In CMpiiar:<One:tpa.; Statement the
Significance, the Objectives, the Limitations and Methods of the
study are introduced. In addition, previous related studie s in
Oromo are a lso included . The theoretical framework of Functional
Grammar with the aim of introducing the bas ic concepts of FG in
gener a l and the treatment of f ocus a ~ a p ragmat ic function in
particular are described in Chapter T~IO . The Third Chapter
discusses t he various focus functions in the language . The
focalizing devices, the types, the scopes and functions of focus
are raised and discussed. Finally , the study presents the
summary of the preceding chapters.
Distribution of Oromo in Ethiopia According to
Harry Stroomer (1987:x1)