Form and Function of Converbs in Oromo
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2014-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study describes the form and function of converbs in Oromo. Oromo converbs usually cannot be marked for tense and mood in contrast to main verbs. There are three converb forms: the generalized converb marked by a lengthened final vowel of a conjugated perfective, imperative or jussive verb, and two invariable specialized converbs marked by the suffixes -aa or -naan. While the generalized converb usually denotes a sequence of events, the converb in –aa expresses a simultaneous event to the main clause verb while the converb in -naan is used in habitual or repetitive expressions.
The converbs most frequently denote simultaneous and consecutive events in relation to a main-clause verb but also occurs in other adverbial functions.
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Oromo