fsi amharicbasiccourse volume1 student text

8/8/2019 Fsi AmharicBasicCourse Volume1 Student Text

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F O R E I G N S E R V I C E I N S T I T U T E

A M H A R I C

B A S I C C O U R S E

U n i t s 1 - 5 0

o E P A R T M E N T 0 F S T A T E


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A M H A R I C

B A S I C C O U R S E

U n i t s 1 - 5 0

S E R G E O B O L E N S K Y

D E B E B O W Z E L E L I E M UL UG ET A A ND UA LE M

FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTEWASHINGTON, D.C.

1964

D E P A R T M E N T 0 F S T A T E


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AMHARIC

FOREIGN S E RV I C E I N S T I T U T E

B A S I C COURSE S E R I E S

Edited by

CARLETON ~ HODGE

i i


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B AS IC C OU R SE

P R E F A C E

This volume is the f ir st of a two-volume Basic Cour se in Amhar ic, and con ta in sUni ts 1-50 of the course. The second volume includes Uni ts 51.


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AMHARIC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface ...................................................... i i iIn t roduc t ion ................................................ xv iUnit 1

Symbols used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

B as ic S en te nc es . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .... . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . 2Note 1 . 1 Tr ansc r i p t i on used . . . . 3

1 . 2 Vowel s 4

1.3 Consonants . . . . . . . . 7

1 .3 .1 P l a i n Consonants . . . . . 7

1 .3 .2 Glo t t a l i z ed Consonants . . . . . . 9D r i l l s 9

Unit 2

Ba.s ic S e n t e n c e s .

2 . 2 ' and ' / - ( i ) n n a / . Note 2.1 Masculine Def in i te Suff ix / - u - - w /

Dr i l l s ...................................................

12

13

1415

Unit 3

1922

23

23

242425

25

26

27

Trans i t i ona l Vowel l i / .Forma t i on of Plu ra l . . .

/w / an d / y / gl ides . . . .Verb ' be r

...................................................

Ba.s i c S e n t e n c e s .

No t e 3 .1 Independent Pronouns . . . . . . . . .3 .2 Suff ix Pronouns . . . .

3 .2 .1 Verb Suff ix Pronouns

3.3 Loss of Vowels . . . 3.43.5

3 .63.7

D r i l l s

Amharic equiva len ts o f 'have ' an d 'have n o t '

Feminine Def in i te Suff ix / - w a ~ - ( y ) i t u - - ( y ) i t w a / .

Def in i te Suff ix on Modif ier . .

Suff ix / - ( i ) n / - S p e c i f i c Direc t Object

Noun Suff ix Pronouns

Unit 4B as ic S en te nc es

Note 4.14.24.3

444.5

.................................................................... 2931

3233

3435

iv


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AMHARIC

D r ~ l l s . . .

Nar ra t l . ve . . . . . .

7780

U n ~ t8

B a s ~ cSen tences

Note 8 .1 T ~ m e

8 .2 SuffLK/ - ( ~ ) m /

8.3 Suff1X / - ( ~ ) s s /

Dr 1.118

N a r r a t ~ v e . .1 ~

81

82

84

84

8488

U n ~ t9

BaS:LC Sen tences . . . . .

Note 9 .1 I m p e r f e c t ~ v eforms connec ted by / - ( ~ ) n n a /

9 .2 N e g a t ~ v e P e r f e c t ~ v e. . . . . . . . . . . .

9.3 S h o r t I m p e r f e c t ~ v e . . . . . . .

9.4 N e g a t ~ v eI r n p e r f e c t ~ v e . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5 N e g a t ~ v e I n f ~ n ~ t ~ v e . . . . . . . . . . .

D r ~ 1 1 s . .

Narra t l . va . . t

89

92

92

93

9599

100

10 3

U n ~ t10

B a S 1C Sen tence s . . .

10 7

110

110

I I I

I I I

I I I

112

118

105

107

10 .2

1 0 . 2 . 1

1 0 . 2 . 2

1 0 . 2 . 3

1 0 . 2 . 4

Drl11s . . . . . .

N a r r a t l v e . . . .

Note 1 0 . 1 R e l a t ~ o n a lAffLKes to Verbs . . . . . . . .

1 0 . 1 . 1 R e l a t ~ o n a lAff1X / y ( e ) - - y e m r n ( ~ ) - /~ n R e l a t ~ v e

C o n s t r u c t ~ o n s

Aff1X / ~ n d ( e ) - I

/ ~ n d ( e ) - /' l ~ k e ' ,e t c . . . . . . . . . . / ~ n d ( e ) -. y a l l e / ' such a s ' , e t c . . . . ./ ~ n d ( e ) - /'a s soon a s ' . . . . . . . . ./ ~ n d ( e ) - /w ~ t hR e l a t ~ v e C o n s t r u c t ~ o n s' t h a t ' .

U n ~ t11B a s ~ cSen tenues 120

121

122

126

12 7

128

129

132

Regu la r Two-Radlcal Verbs ~ n I - e / . . . . .Gerund

P r e s e n t P e r f e c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

P a s t P e r f e c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Imper fec t (Pas t ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Verb:

Verb.

Verb:

Verb:

Verb .

Note 11 . 1

11 .2

11.3

11 . 411 . 5

Dr:Llls

N a r r a t l v e . . . . . . . . .

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AMHARIC

15 .2 Verb: C a u s a t ~ v e s~ n / a - / and / a s - / . . 190

1 5 . 2 . 1 C a u s a t ~ v eVerbs ~ n / a - / . . . . . . . . . . 19 1

1 5 . 2 . 2 CausatJ.ve Verbs ~ n / a s - / . . . . . . . 19 1

15 .3 PassJ .ve-Ref lexJ .ve Verbs . . . . . . . . . 19 1

1 5 . 4 C l a s s ~ f J . c a t J . o na nd N o ta tJ .o n . . . . . 195

15 .5 Rela t J .ona l AffJ.x / k ( e ) - / w ~ t hPerfectJ .ve . 19 7

1 5 . 5 . 1 / k ( e ) - / ' ~ f ' . . . . . . . . . 1971 5 . 5 . 2 / k ( e ) - / ' s J.nce ' . . . . . . 19 8

D r l l l s 198

Narra t i l ve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 5

U n ~ t16

B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 16 .1 R e l a t ~ o n a l A f f ~ x / ~ n d ( ~ ) - /. . . . . . . . . . .

16 .2 Pronoun /1"as - / ' s e l f ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16 .3 Regu la r F o u r - R a d ~ c a 1Verbs . . . . . . . . . . .

1 6 . 4 Three-and F o u r - R a d ~ c a lVerbs ~ n /-0-/ .16 .5 Verb: Noun o f Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 6 . 6 Verb: Noun o f I n s t r u m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . .

16 .7 Us e o f / w e y ~ m /and /weyJ . s s / ' o r ' . . . . . . . . . .D r ~ l l s

Narra tJ .ve

UnJ.t 17

B a s ~ cSen tences

20 6

20 8

20 8

20 9

21 0

21 0

21 2

213

214

21 5

.................................................................................................

CIa ss ~ f ~ c at ~ o note 1 7 . 1

C h a r t I

C h a r t I I

Char t I I I

Char t IV

C h a r t V

DrJ.11s

N a r r a t ~ v e

Verba

Regu la r

Regu la r

Regu la r

Regu la r

Regu la r

T h r e e - R a d ~ c a lVerbs . . . . . . . . . .

T h r e e - R a d ~ c a l/ a - / Verbs . . . . .

T w o - R a d ~ c a lVerbs ~ n / - a / . .

T w o - R a d ~ c a lVerbs ~ n / - e / . . . . . . .

F o u ~ - R a d ~ c a lVerbs . . . . . . . . . . .

22 2

22 3

22 4

22 5

22 6

22 7

23 0

U n ~ t18

B a s ~ cSen tences

..................................................Note 1 8 . 1

18 .2D r ~ l l s

N a r r a t ~ v e

Verba Us e o f / y ~ h o n a l /. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Us e o f / g e n a / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

...............................................

v i i i

23 2233

234

23 5

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B AS IC C O UR S E

U n ~ t19

Ba S 1.C S e n t e n c e s .

D r l l l s .

Note 19 .1 C o m p a r a t ~ v eand S u p e r l a t l v e . . . .

.ar ra t lve

Unl t 20Ba S l C S e n t e n c e s . 24 7Note 20 .1 Verb C l a s s l f l c a t l o n , Two-Radlca l Verbs , t ypes

m e ~ a ~ ,m e ~ o ~ ,m e ~ e ~and m e ~ e ~ . .

.

me I a 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

me 102 .

25 3

255

25 6

24 8

25 0

251

25 1

25 2

25 2

......................................

......................................

Impersona l C b n s t r u c t l o n s .

Verb: P r e s e n t P e r f e c t o f v e r b s deno t lng

' s t a t e ' or ' c o n d l t l o n ' . . . . . . . .

mele2

mele2

Verbl

.

C h a r t V I / l

C h a r t VI /2

C h a r t VI/3

C h a r t VI/4

20 .2

20.3

N a r r a t l v e

D r ~ l l s

e

U n l t 21

BaSlC Sen tences

D r l l l s

N a r r a t l v e

.

.

25 8

26 0

26 1

U n l t 22BaS1C Sen tences

.r l l l s

N a r r a t l v e

.

.

26 3

26 5

26 7

.

U n l t 23

Ba s lC Sen tence s

..~ .

268

27 0

271

27 1

27 3274

274

27 5

27 5

27 6

27 7

278

.....................

.

/ y e t / .

/ma n/ .Q u e s t l o n Words . . . . . . .

/ m l n / or / m l n d l n / . . .

/ y e t u / , / y e t l n n a w / and /mannlnnaw/ .

/manrunnawlm/ o r /mannaccewlm/ . . . .

/mannEn/ an d /m ln lm m/ . . . . . . . . .

/mlnlmm/ w l t h / ~ n d e - / . . . . . .

Note 23 .1

2 3 . 2

2 3 . 2 . 1

2 3 . 2 . 22 3 . 2 . 3

23 . 2 . 4

23.3

2 3 . 4

2 3 . 5

N a r r a t l v e

D r l l l s

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R e p e t ~ t 1 o n . .

P a r t ~ a lR e d u p l ~ c a t ~ o n. . . . .

Complete R e d u p l ~ c a t ~ o n. . . . . . . .

Use o f / ma dr eg iy a/ . . . . . . . . .

AMHARIC

U n ~ t24B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 24 .1 Verb: Shor t form o f /madreg / . . . . .

24.2 Use o f / g ~ d d e t a /w ~ t h/ a l l e b b - / , / h o n e b b - /an d / n e b b e r e b b - /

D r ~ l l s

Narrat .1ve .

U n ~ t25

B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 25.1 R e p e t ~ t ~ o nan d R e d u p l ~ c a t ~ o n. . .

25 .1 .1

2 5 . 1 . 2

25 .1 .3

25 .2D r l l l s .

N a r r a t ~ v e .

Unl t 26B a s ~ cSentences

Note 26 .1 SufflX / - ( l ) n n e t /

26 .2 Verb. The use o f /meKnat / . . . . . . . . .

D r l 11 s .

N a r r a t l v e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unlt 27B a S 1 C Sentences

Note 27 .1 SufflX / - e / In compound words

27 .2 P l u r a l a f t e r numerals . . . .

D r l l l s .

Narra t l ve .

Unl t 28B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note 28 .1 Verb: Hypothe t lca l Condl t lona l . . . . . .

28.2 AfflX / l n d ( e ) - / wlth / a l l e - / an d / h o n e - / 28.3 Impersonal Verbs . . . . . . . . .

Dr 1.118 . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ..

N a r r a t l v e .

Unl t 29B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 29 .1 Verb C1ass l f l c a t l on Three-Radlca l Verbs ~ n

/-a-/

x

280

283

283

28 4

28 8

29 1

292

293

29329 4

29 5

29 5

297

30 0

301

30 2

303

30 7

310

31 1

312

313

315

317

31831 9

32 0

324

32 7

328


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Char t VI I

29.2

Dr111s

Narrat1ve

BASIC COURSE

Use o f /m1kn1yatu/ comblned w1th / s 11 e - / and/s11emm(1)- / affLXes an d the verb form /new/

/ k ( e ) - . ye t enes sa / . . .

32 9

32 9

33 0

33 0

33 2

B a S 1 . C S e n t e n c e s . ~ .

Note 30.1 Compound Verbs w1th /ma1et / an d /madreg/

30.1 .1 Verb: Inconclus1ve Aspect

l l i l . l l s .

Narrat1ve

33 4

33 5

33 8

34 0

34 2

UnlC 31BaS1C Sentences

Un1t 32BaS1C Sentences

Note 31.131.2

Dr111s

Narra t lve

Note 32 .1

32.232.3

Dr111s

Narrat1ve

/ b ( e ) - beklru1/

Use o f / b1cca / w1th Noun SufflX Pronouns an dD1rect ObJect Suff1X / - ( l ) n / . . .

\

S u f f l. X / - g e / .

Verb: / lndehon/ w1th r e1 at 1v e c on s tr uc t1 0 ns/ lndehon/ wlth S h or t I mp er fe ct 1v e a nd Ge ru nd,

'whether or n o t ' . Verb: Inf1n1t1ve w1th Noun SufflX Pronouns

and Verb forms /new/ an d / nebbe r /

344

34 5

34 6

34 7

34 9

35 0

352

35 2

353

35 4

35 5

35 7

Un1t 33B a S H ~Sentences 35 8

..................................................Note 33.1

Drl1lsNarrat1ve

Verb, / s - / negat1ve comb1ned w1th the formsof the verb /Kerre-meKret / .

...............................................

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AMHARIC

U n ~ t34Ba s ~ c Se n t e n c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note 34.1 Verba F r e q u e n t a t ~ v eForm . . . . . .

C h a r t VII I F r e q u e n t a t ~ve Verbs . . . . . . . . .

34.2 Verb: R e c ~ p r o c a lForm . . . . .

C h a r t IX R e c ~ p r o c a lVerbs . . . . . .

})r11.11s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

N a r r a t ~ v e .

365

36 7

36 8

36 9

37 2

373

37 5

Ba S J .C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 35.1 Us e o f / ~ n k w a n / . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35.2 / ~ n k w a n /c o m b ~ n e dw ~ t h/ y ~ K r l T m a /' l e t a l o n e r ,

377

379

.r l l l sN a r r a t ~ v e

'e ve n th ou gh ' . . . . . . . . . . .

.

38 0381

383

U n ~ t36

Ba s ~ c Sen tences . 384

.

Note 37.1 Verb . /maweK/ w ~ t hGerund . . . D r ~ 1 1 s

U n ~ t37

BaSlC Sen tences

Unl t 38

B a s ~ cS e n t e n c e s ~ .

Note 36.1

D r l l l s

N a r r a t ~ v e

N a r r a t ~ v e

D r ~ l l s

N a r r a t l v e

R e l a t ~ v e c o n s t r u c t ~ o n scomblned w ~ t hlmpersona l forms o f th e ve rb /memse l / . . . . .

.

.

.

.

.

387

387391

39 2

395

396398

40 0401

403

U n l t 39B a s ~ cS e n t e n c e s ~ .

.

Note 39.1

D r ~ l l s

N a r r a t ~ v e

Verba Use o f / ye l1em T / w ~ t hS h o r t Impe r-f e c t ~ v eand G eru nd . . . . . . . . . . .

.

x i i

407

40 8410


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B AS IC C O UR SE

U n l t 40Ba s lC Sentence s

D r l l l s

N a r r a t l v e s

U n l t 41

BaS1C S e n t e n c e sNote 4 1 . 1

4 1 . 1 . 1

4 1 . 1 . 2

4 1 . 1 . 3

4 1 . 1 . 5

4 1 . 2

4 1 . 2 . 1

4 1 . 2 . 2

4 1 . 3

Drl11s

P o s t p o s l t l o n s / z e n d / and / g a / . . .

/ k e - zend - g a l . .

/ 1 - . z e n d - g a / . . . .

/ b e - . z e n d / . . . . . .

/ l z i i h z e n d - l z z i h g a l and / l z z i y a z e n d - l z z i y a

g a l . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Verb: Us e o f / z e n d / a s p os tv er b . .

Verb: / z e n d / w l t h S h o r t I m p e r f e c t l v e . .

Verb . / k e . z e nd / w lth P e r f e c t l v e . .

Verb: Us e o f / ke n or en /, /k e no re h / , e t c . ' I fI do h a v e ' e t c . . . . . . . . . . .

Verb: / m e n o r / used l m p e r s o n a l l y, ' w l l l

h a v e ' , 'may h a v e '

417

420

421

421

421

422

422

422

422

422

N a r r a t l v e

U n l t 42BaS1C Sen tences

Unl t 43BaS1C S e n t e n c e s

Note 41+.1 Ve r b a l Nouns . . . . . . . D r l 11 s e

U n l t 44BaS1C S e n t e n c e s

Note 4 2 . 14 2 . 2

42 .3

D r l l l s

N a r r a t l v e

Note 4 3 . 1

C h a r t X

D r l l l sN a r r a t l v e

N a r r a t l v e

Verba

Progres s 1

ve Form . . . . . Verba 'whe the r . (o r n o t ) ' c o n s t r u c t l o n s

Us e o f /mln lmmal1 l / , / m l n l m m a t t l l / , e t ~ .

B e n e f a c t l v e o r C a u s a t l v e R e c l p r o c a l Verbs .

B e n e f a c t l v e Ver bs . . . . . . . . . .

..............................................

x i i i

429

43 2433

434

435

439

442

444447

448449

451

45 3

455

457


15/519

AMHARIC

Adver1bla I s .

Narratl .ve

Adverbl.a1s l.n / b ( e ) - /Adverbl.a1s of Tl.me l.n / - ( l . ) n /

Gerund Forms used Adverbl.a11y

Unl.t 45B a s ~ cS e n t e n c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note 45.1 Use of /bl.cca sayhon/ . .

45.245.2 .145.2 .2

'45.2.3Drl.11s

46 0

461

461

46 1

46 2

46 4

46 8

B a s l e S e n t e n c e s . 46 7

Note 46.1 / k ( e ) - / used l.n combl .nat l.on wl. th/wedih-wedezzih/ an d /wediya-wedezzl.ya/

Dr 1.11 s .

Narra t ~ v e . . . .

47 0

47 1

472

Unl.t 47B a S 1 . C S e n t e n c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D r l . l l s .

Narra t l . ve .

47 447 6

47 8

48 0

48.2

48.3D r l . l l s .

Narra t ~ v e . . .

Unl.t 48B a S l . C S e n t e n c e s .

Note 48.1 Use of / 1 ( l . ) - / form l.n combl.natl.on wl.th / s l . l / ,

/ s l . t t l . 1 / , e tc . . . . .

483Verb. I n te n sl .v e A sp ec t . . . . . . 483Vel'b. Cona tl.ve Aspect . . . 484

48 5

488

Unl.t 49B a S 1 C S e n t e n c e s .

D r l l l s .

N a r r a t l v e .

49 0

491

493

Unl.t 50BaSl.C Sentences

Note 50.1 Emphatl .c Suffl .X / - a /Drl.11sNarratl.ve

495

49 7

49 8

500

x iv


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BASIC COURSE

. ,-/"./

ETHIOPIA

. / ...-L-

['-'1R E P ~ L 1 C

_ . - Inh:'lIlal,onJ' b.,undiHy

- - - Pr v'f'lCe boundar,.@ NatlOflit! Ot

colonial ColD,tal

PrO\',nce ca;> tal

RaIlroad

Roao Of lIack

111111111 ' \l"har1c Speakin r Area

f ..... )

- _ . _ -- - - - - . _ -

,

i

( I ' l ~ - , , ' I l ! ~ "

....

,. I~ , 1

'-'," \

"-_-- _ ':t. A.swD

1

:r.

x v


17/519

D r l l l s :

A M H A R ~

INTRODUCTION

The A m ha rl c L an gu ag e

Amhar lc lS th e o f f l c l a l l anguage o f th e E t h l o p l a n Emplre used l ngovernment , l n b u s l n e s s , l n a l l l n s t r u c t l o n l n government s c h o o l s and l n

most newspape r s . I t l S , however, n o t th e o n l y l an gu ag e sp ok en l n E t h l o p l a .

As can be seen from t he map on page xv th e a r e a where A m h ~ r l clS spoken

a s a n a t l v e tongue lS a b o u t one s l X t h o f the whole t e r r l t o r y o f E t h l o p l a .

Amhar lc be longs to th e Sou the rn Seml t l c branch o f th e A f r o - A s l a t l c

( f o r m e r l y c a l l e d Haml to -Seml t l c ) f aml ly o f l anguages . The number o f n a t l v e

s p e a k e r s o f Amharlc t o g e t h e r w l t h the speake r s o f th e o t h e r S e m l t l c l anguages

spoken l n E t h l o p l a ( such a s T l g r l n l y a , T l g r e , H a r a r l , Gurage and o t h e r s ) lS

l e s s t han one h a l f th e t o t a l p o p u l a t l o n o f th e Emplre . The g re a t e s t p a rt o f

E t h l o p l a lS l n h a b l t e d by speake r s o f CUShl t lC l anguages ( a n o t h e r branch o f

the A f r o - A s l a t l c f aml ly ) such a s G a l l a , Agaw, Somal l and many o t h e r s . Slnce

no census h as e v e r been t aken l n E t h l o p l a th e number o f E th lo p l an s can o n l y

be e s t l m a t e d . Accord lng to th e o f f l c l a l da ta o f the E t h l o p l a n government

th e number o f l n h a b l t a n t s o f E th lo p la lS betw een 20 and 22 m l l l l o n . It lS

a l s o d l f f l c u l t t o g l v e a r e l l a b l e e s t l m a t e o f th e number o f Amharlc s p e a k e r s ;

l t lS p r o b a b l y between 5 and 7 m l l l l o n . There lS I l t t l e doub t , however, t h a tdu e t o th e c o n s t a n t l y g ro w ln g d ev e lo pm e nt o f communlca t lons sys tems and th e

s p r e a d l n g o f e d u c a t l o n Amhar lc lS g a l n l n g ground th ro ug ho ut th e whole c o u n t r y.

I tlS now th e l anguage o f g r e a t e s t p r e s t l g e and anyone who h as had any educa

t l o n lS a b l e t o speak l t , even l f l t lS n o t h lS mother t ongue . S t l l l o t h e r s

l e a r n l t l n f o r m a l l y a s a second l anguage .

ThlS Course :

Th e f o l l o w l n g p a r t s may be found l n a u n l t :

Bas lc S e n t e n c e s

Classroom E x p r e s s l o n s

S t r u c t u r e Sen tences

U s e f u l Words

G r am m a tl ca l N ot es

S u b s t l t u t l o n

C o r r e l a t l o n

Trans fo rma t lon

Model-Transform d r l l l s

Q u e s t l o n s a nd A nsw ers

N a r r a t l v e

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B AS IC C O UR SE

BaS1C Sen tences and Ques t lons and Answers a r e found In each u n l t . Th e

N a r r a t l v e s b eg ln w lth t h e u n l t 5 . Th e o c c u r r e n c e o f o t h e r p a r t s ma y v a r y.

Th e Course lS d lVlded l n t o tw o volumes . Volume I - c o n t a l n s u n l t s 1

t h rough 50 In t r a n s c r l p t l 0 n . Volume I I - u n l t s 51-60 In t r a n s c r l p t l 0 n ,

I n t r o d u c t l o n t o t h e Amhar lc Wrl t lng System, Th e Reader (U nl ts 1 -60 l n Amhar lc

s c r l p t ) and a G l o s s a r y ( I n t r a n s c r l p t l 0 n ) .

The Reader l n c l u d e s : BaSlc Sen tences

Q u e s t l o n s and Answers

N a r r a t l v e s

Us e o f ThlS Course

1 . ' B a s l c S e n t e n c e s ' , ' S t r u c t u r e Sen tences I , 'Use fu l Words ' .

Th e l n s t r u c t o r r e a d s the Amharlc l tem b y l t e m , r e p e a t l n g each l tem (a

bUl1d-up or a s e n t e n c e ) tWlce f o r each s t u d e n t . Each member o f th e c l a s s

r e p e a t s th e l t em lmmed la t e ly a f t e r the l n s t r u c t o r t r y l n g to l m l t a t e h lS (o r

h e r ) p r o n u n c l a t l o n .

I f I n t h e l n s t r u c t o r ' s 0 p l n l o n th e l tem l S m l sp ro n ou nc e d b y th e s t u d e n t ,

t h e l n s t r u c t o r r e p e a t s l t a t normal speed w l t h th e s tu de n t r ep e at ln g a f t e r

hlm (o r h e r) as many t lmes a s n e c e s s a r y. A f t e r th e c l a s s hour s each s t u d e n t

goes ove r t h e B a s l c Sen tences by l l s t e n l n g to the t a p e and r e p e a t l n g , dOlng

t h l S u n t l 1 he knows t h e d la lo gu e by h e a r t .

A f t e r th e BaS1C Sen tences h ave been t h o r o u g h l y memorlzed t he s t u d e n t s

t a k e p a r t and a c t o u t t h e d l a l o g u e s . Th e l n s t r u c t o r ma y t ake on e o f th e

p a r t s the f l r s t t lme o r two. ThlS dr l11 lS to be c o n t l n u e d u n t l l any s t u d e n t

can t a k e p a r t and go t h rough the d l a l o g u e 11ke an a c t o r .

2 . S u b s t l t u t l o n , C o r r e l a t l o n and Tr a n s f o r m a t l 0 n Drl11s a r e t o be used

I n acco rdance w l t h the l n s t r u c t l o n s g l v e n a t t he b eg ln nl ng o f

each d r l l l .

3. Model Trans fo rm D r l l 1 s shou ld be d r l l l e d l n th e same wa y as o t h e rTr a n s f o r m a t l o n D r l l l s .

4. Q u e s t l 0 n s an d Answer s .

Th e q u e s t l o n s and answer s a r e t o be d r l l l e d as s p e c l f l e d be low, b u t

t h e y shou ld n o t be c o n s l d e r e d comple t e . An y q u e s t l o n WhlCh lS w l t h l n t h e

11ml t s o f the s t u d e n t s ' grammar and v o c a b u l a r y can be a s k e d .

Some q u e s t l o n s r e q u l r e l n f o r m a t l o n a l answer s some o t h e r s s lmp ly ' y e s '

o r ' n o ' answers .

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AMHARIC

Q u es t1 0n s r eq u 1r 1n g 1nfo rma t10na l answer s a r e t o be d r 1 l l e d as f o l l o w s :

Th e 1 n s t r u c t o r a s k s each s t u d e n t a q u e s t 1 0 n . The s t u d e n t r e p e a t s the

ques t10n and g1ves an answer. An y answe r g1ven by t he s t u d e n t 1S cons1de red

c or r e c t 1 f 1 t 1S g oo d A mh ar 1c . Th e answer 1S c o r r e c t e d by t he 1 n s t r u c t o r ,

1 f n e c e s s a r y . The s t u d e n t r e p e a t s th e c o r r e c t e d answer. Th e 1 n s t r u c t o r t h e n

g1ves th e s t u d e n t the answer wh1ch 1S w r 1 t t e n 1n th e book and th e s t u d e n t

r e p e a t s 1 t as a f u r t h e r d r 1 l 1 .

Q ue st1 0n s r eq u 1r 1n g ' y e s ' o r ' n o ' answer s shou ld be d r 1 l l e d 1n th e same

way, 1 . e . th e s tu de nt r ep e at s the q ue st10 n a f t e r th e 1 n s t r u c t o r and g1ves h1m

e 1 t h e r an a ff1 rma t1ve o r a nega t1ve answer (o r b o t h 1 f so r e q u e s t e d by th e

1 n s t r u c t o r ) .

5. Nar ra t1ve

Th e 1 n s t r u c t o r goes t h rough th e s e n t e n c e s ( 1 f any) 1 l l u s t r a t 1 n g ne w

vocabu la ry 1 tems , l n t h e same wa y a s he d1d f o r BaS1C Sen tences . A f t e r th e

s t u d e n t s have t h u s f am1 l1a r1zed t hemse lves w1th th e new words th e 1 n s t r u c t o r

r e a d s t h rough th e whole Nar ra t1ve a t a n a t u r a l speed . The s t u d e n t s l 1 s t e n~ i ,...I J-,

f o r comprehens10n, books c l o s e d . The s t u d e n t s summar1se 1 n E ng 11 sh a s much

a s t he y u nd er st oo d o f th e N ar ra t1 ve . Th e 1 n s t r u c t o r r e a d s each sen tence

aga1n f o r each s t u d e n t , each o f whom r e p e a t s a f t e r h1m. Each s t u d e n t t r a n s -

l a t e s th e s e n t e n c e he r e p e a t e d . Th1s d r I l l 1S con t1nued u n t 1 l th e s t u d e n t s

a r e t h o r o u g h l y f am1l1a r w1th t he m a t e r 1 a l . Th e 1 n s t r u c t o r t h e n a s ks qu es -

t10ns l 1 s t e d a t th e end o f e ac h N a rr at 1v e and th e s t u d e n t s answer them a s

comple te ly a s p o s s 1 b l e uS1ng words con ta1ned 1n th e N ar ra t1 ve . I n add1 t10n

to th e q ue st 10 ns l 1 s t e d 1n th e book th e 1 n s t r u c t o r ma y as k any ques t10n

p e r t 1 n e n t t o th e N ar ra t1 ve w1th1n th e l l m 1 t s o f th e s t u d e n t s ' grammar andv o c a b u l a r y. The s t u d e n t s m e ~ o r 1 z eth e N a r r a t 1 v e by l1 s te n 1 n g to th e t ape

and r e l a t e th e s t o r y to th e 1 n s t r u c t o ~th e n e x t day.

s t u d e n t s m ust keep 1n m1nd t h a t t h e r e 1S no one c o r r e c t wa y o f speak1ng

Amhar1c. Due t o th e p oo r sys tem o f commun1cat1ons 1n Eth1op1a Amhar1c h as

deve loped var10US l o c a l d 1 a l e c t s . There 1S an e s p e c 1 a l l y marked d 1 f f e r e n c e

1n pronunc1a t10n , 1n v o c a b u l a r y, and even 1n grammar between th e n o r t h e r nGOJJam1 and th e s o u t h e r n Showa d 1 a l e c t s . Th e purpose o f t h 1 s Course 1S t o

t e a c h th e l anguage a s 1 t 1S spoken 1n th e c a p 1 t a l o f Eth10p1a , Add1S Ababa.

A dd 1s Ababa A mh ar1 c c on ta 1n s e le m e nt s o f a v a r 1 e t y o f d 1 a l e c t s . Th es t u d e n t shou ld have t h 1 s 1n m1nd and shou ld a lways fo l low th e manner o f

speech o f h1 S 1 n s t r u c t o r even 1 f h1s ( o r h e r ) speech v a r 1 e s somewhat from

what 1S 1nd1ca t ed 1n th1S book.

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BASIC COURSE

S ym bo ls U se d In ThlS Course

UNIT 1

On th e E n g l l s h s l d e , p a r e n t h e s e s and q u o t a t l o n marks a r e used t o g e t h e r

( t

t) when a more I l t e r a l t r a n s l a t l o n 1S g l v e n 1n add1 t1on to th e o r d l n a r yEng l1sh e q u 1 v a l e n t .

B r a c k e t s [ ] a r e used to 1 n d l c a t e words 1n th e E n g l l s h e q u l v a l e n t Wh1Ch

do n o t have a n e q u l v a l e n t 1n th e Amhar lc .

P a r e n t h e s e s ( ) 1nd1cate words WhlCh a r e I n the Amhar1c b u t n o t In a

normal E n gl ls h e q u lv a le n t . Th e E n g ll s h s ld e lS n o t n e c e s s a r l l y a I l t e r a l

t r a n s l a t l o n b u t wha t lS o r d l n a r l l y s a l d 1n t h lS s l t u a t l o n . The use o f

p a r e n t h e s e s and b r a c k e t s a s e x p l a l n e d above shou ld make th e s l t u a t l o n c l e a r

I n each c a s e .

On th e Amhar1c s l d e , p a r e n t h e s e s a r e used to l n d l c a t e sounds WhlCh a re

somet1mes o m l t t e d . Bracke t s a re used to l n d l c a t e a more fo rma l p r o n u n c l a t l o n

to be used In more d e l 1 b e r a t e speech o r w h l l e r e a d l n g t e x t s ~ r l t t e n1n Amharlc

c h a r a c t e r s . A l t e r n a t e p ro n un c l at l on s o f the same word o r a l t e r n a t e words a r e

g l v e n a f t e r a s la n t l l n e l I.

Th e a c c e n t mark used lS I ' I . ThlS l n d l c a t e s the l o u d e s t s y l l a b l e In aword o r p hra se . Seconda ry s t r e s s e s a r e n o t marked.

As Amhar lc ha s an a lm o s t even d 1 s t r l b u t l o n o f s t r e s s on each s y l l a b l e ,

1 t 1S somet1mes e x t r e m e l y d l f f l c u l t t o d e t e c t where th e p r l n c 1 p a l s t r e s s o f

a p a r t 1 c u l a r word l l e s . I n t h l S Course phrase s t r e s s w l l l be marked I n theBaS1C S e n t e n c e s , b u t words I n the bUlldups w l l l be l e f t unmarked u n l e s s th e

s t r e s s 1S c l e a r l y d l s t l n c t 1 v e .

An ar row I t I lS used to 1 n d l c a t e s h a r p l y r l s l n g p l t c h .

A p e r l o d I . I lS used to 1 n d l c a t e th e end o f a p h r a s e a cc om pa nle d b yf a l l 1 n g p l t c h . I t m a y o r ma y n o t c o rre s p on d to an E n g l l s h p e r l o d .

A comma I ' I l n d 1 c a t e s t h a t th e p r e c e d l n g t one 1S c a r r l e d on e v e n l y tothe comma and t h a t a new p l t c h c o n t o u r b eg ln s f ol lo w ln g th e comma. Th e

s y l l a b l e s lmmed1ate ly b e f o r e I , I a r e S l l g h t l y l e n g t h e n e d . There m a y o rma y n o t be a b re a k o r pause a f t e r I ' I .

I n th e Notes s l a n t l l n e s a r e used t o s e t o f f Amharlc sounds o r words

w 1 t h l n an Eng l lSh t e x t . E n g l l s h l e t t e r s and words a re u nd e r l ln ed when used

a s example s .

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fsi amharicbasiccourse volume1 student text

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