Linguistic Analysis of Amharic k’ɨne: A Corpus-based Approach

Abstract

This study analyzed Amharic k’ɨne from linguistic semantics and pragmatics viewpoint. A descriptive qualitative research method was employed. Data was collected primarily from a corpus of bəgəna song lyrics. Besides, a key informant interview was conducted. All accessible bəgəna song lyrics were considered, but only those words, verses, phrases, lines, and/or stanzas that contain k’ɨne were taken for analysis. Double context and semantic ambiguity were identified as the main characteristics of Amharic k’ɨne. The ambiguity is created when the language item has two or more structural and cognitive meanings. The study also revealed that ambiguity is created phonologically, morphologically, syntactically, and through various contextual factors. It was also found that k’ɨne contains semantically incompatible meaningsː surface and underlying. Using metaphors, ambiguous words, and words that are similar, but different in the parts of the speech have been frequently employed to contrive k’ɨne. Understanding the use of metaphors, splitting/dividing words, merging two words, deleting sounds or syllables, and the like can help to determine and unravel the true meaning of the k’ɨne. Overall, this study provides a linguistic analysis of how k’ɨne is created and interpreted in Amharic. It is concluded that the language use of k’ɨne is an embodiment of power hierarchy and the relation between divine beings and man, the perception and conception of the real and imagined world.