AMHARIC 
(Ethiopia; Afro-Asiatic, Semitic)		 For more information about metathesis in this language, click on the following links:
Summary:
a. In words with initial 'rI', the vowel is optionally transposed.
b. In the casual verbs with initial 'a', metathesis is optionally observed.
c. Metathesis of two consonants across an intervening vowel is observed in some lexical items.
Examples
Conditions
Motivation
Additional info
Comments
References
Examples:
(See Comments for key to special characters used.)
a. In words with initial 'rI', the vowel is optionally transposed.
 
Irda     ~ rIda 'help!'
Irkus     ~ rIkus 'defiled'

b. In the casual verbs with initial 'a', metathesis is optionally observed.
 
aTiftwall    ~ aTfiwall 'he has extinguished'

c. Metathesis of two consonants across an intervening vowel is observed in some lexical items.
 
seTTeme    ~ semmeTe 'he sank'
gezzere    ~ gerreze 'he circumcised'

Conditions:
No information currently available.
Motivation:
No information currently available.
Additional information:
No information currently available.
Comments:
Special Symbols:
I  = intermediate vowel between [u] and [i] but slightly nearer [i]
T = [t] modified by forcible ejection and presence of the glottal stop

Last updated: 6/20/2001
References:
  • Abraham, R. C. 1968. The Principles of Amharic. Institute of African Studies. Lowe & Brydone: London.
  • Dawkins, C. H. 1969. The Fundamentals of Amharic. Sudan Interior Mission: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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