Classification and Logical Structure of Basic-level Statives in Afaan Oromoo

Abstract

This study describes the classification and logical structure of basic-level stative situations in Afaan Oromoo
within Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). Afaan Oromoo is one of the Lowland East Cushitic Languages
under Afroasiatic phylum. The method employed in the study is qualitative, in which several library works,
data gathering short trips and elicitation (content analysis) of written texts (written web corpora developed by
the HaBit project in 2016 and grades 9-12 Afaan Oromoo textbooks) have been made. For elicitation, Western
(Maccaa) variety has been considered using purposive sampling technique. Accordingly, verbs in Afaan
Oromoo are semantically classified into five fundamental categories according to their dynamicity vs. stativity,
telicity vs. atelicity, and durativity vs. instantaneous: statives, activities, semelfactives, achievements, and
accomplishments. Statives, which have static, atelic and durative temporal features, are categorized on the basis
of the semantic roles of the arguments: identificational, locative, attributive, possession, cognitive, emotive, and
perceptive statives. The general logical structure of these stative types is identified as [Pred‟ (x, y) or Pred‟ (x)],
where Pred‟ is verbal, copular or adjectival, „x‟ stands for the first, and „y‟ is for the second argument. On the
basis of the findings, Afaan Oromoo lacks morphological markers for all types of stative; however, only the
semantic roles of the arguments distinguish one from the other. Lastly, it is apparent that this study may provide
the foundation for further studies regarding the interface of syntax and semantics in Afaan Oromoo to establish
comprehensive knowledge about the language.