An Investigation of Types, Causes, and Implications of Incompatible Language Use Spoken Amharic in Focus

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to investigate the types, causes, and implications of incompatible
expressions used in spoken Amharic. To achieve this general objective, researchers collected data from
postgraduate students, instructors, and journalists from Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Jimma Universities and
Ethiopian Broadcast Corporate (EBC), Fana Broadcast Corporate (FBC), and Amhara Media Agency (AMA)
through interviews and questionnaires. Sixty-five respondents and nine interviewees participated in the
questionnaire and interview respectively. The data was analyzed by applying textual and numerical
descriptions. The findings showed the use of double plurals, slang, wrong plurals, direct translation from
English, applying English terms in Amharic, and unnecessary addition of terms. It was also noted that speakers
lacked the necessary understanding of Amharic grammar, were negligent in adhering to Amharic rules, were
unprepared while speaking, and mixed Amharic and English vocabulary. The other observations included
meaning distortion, miscommunication between communicative partners, ambiguous phrases being introduced
into Amharic, bizarre happenings taking the place of indigenous cultural and moral norms, loss of group and
national identity, and identity confusion. Thus, the prevalence of using incompatible expressions was
observed; concerned bodies did not handle language use, and language teaching and learning properly. Finally,
speakers‟ reluctance to use appropriate expressions has resulted in social crises, linguistic conflict,
misunderstanding, and signs of losing personal and national identity. As a recommendation, speakers should
struggle to minimize the use of incompatible expressions, and educational leaders, instructors, and students need
to assess their language use, language teaching, and learning.