# Awngi language

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Awngi_language
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Awngi_language.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awngi_language
> Source revision: 1319666808
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Cushitic language spoken in Ethiopia

Awngi አውጚ (Awŋi) Pronunciation [ˈawŋi] Native to Ethiopia Region Agew Awi Zone, Amhara Region Ethnicity Awi Native speakers 490,000 (2007 census)[1] Language family Afro-Asiatic Cushitic Central Southern Awngi Dialects Dega Kwolla Northern Awngi Writing system Geʽez script Language codes ISO 639-3 awn Glottolog awng1244 ELP Awngi This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.

The **Awngi** language, in older publications also called **Awiya** (an inappropriate ethnonym),[2] is an [endangered](/source/Endangered_language) [indigenous](/source/Indigenous_peoples) [Central Cushitic](/source/Central_Cushitic) language spoken by the [Awi people](/source/Awi_people), traditionally living in Central [Gojjam](/source/Gojjam) in northwestern [Ethiopia](/source/Ethiopia).

Most speakers of the language live in the [Agew Awi Zone](/source/Agew_Awi_Zone) of the [Amhara Region](/source/Amhara_Region), but there are also communities speaking the language in various areas of [Metekel Zone](/source/Metekel_Zone) of the [Benishangul-Gumuz Region](/source/Benishangul-Gumuz_Region). Until recently, Kunfäl, another Southern Agaw language spoken in the area west of [Lake Tana](/source/Lake_Tana), has been suspected to be a separate language. It has now been shown to be linguistically close to Awngi, and it should be classified as a dialect of that language.[3]

## Phonology

### Vowels

Vowels[4] Front Central Back Close i ɨ u Open e a o

The central vowel /ɨ/ is the default [epenthetic](/source/Epenthetic) vowel of the language and almost totally predictable in its occurrence.[5] Likewise, /æ/, normally an allophone of /a/, is fossilized in some words and might be justified as a separate phoneme.[6]

### Consonants

Consonants[7] Labial Alveolar Palato-velar Uvular plain labialized plain labzd Plosive voiceless p t k kʷ q qʷ voiced b d ɡ ɡʷ ɢ ɢʷ Affricate voiceless t͡s t͡ʃ voiced d͡z d͡ʒ Fricative plain f s ʃ post-stopped s͡t ʃ͡t Nasal m n ŋ ŋʷ Flap r Approximant w l j

- Palatal and velar together in Awngi form only one place of articulation, which is called palato-velar.[8]

- Post-stopped fricatives are assumed to be single segments in Awngi for phonotactic reasons.[9]

- /h/ is found word-initially in [loanwords](/source/Loanword), but it can also be left out.

- /r/ does not occur word-initially. It is pronounced as a [flap](/source/Flap_consonant) [ɾ] when not geminate.[10]

- Between vowels, /b/ is pronounced as a [voiced bilabial fricative](/source/Voiced_bilabial_fricative) [β].[10]

- /d/ is pronounced retracted, with slight [retroflexion](/source/Retroflex_consonant).[10]

- /ɢ/ and /ɢʷ/ are usually pronounced as [voiced uvular fricatives](/source/Voiced_uvular_fricative) [ʁ] and [ʁʷ].

- Although /d͡z/ and /d͡ʒ/ are phonetically realized as fricatives [z] and [ʒ] in many environments, they are very much the voiced counterparts of the voiceless affricates with respect to phonological rules.[11]

- The labialization contrast in the palato-velar and uvular consonants is found only before the vowels /i, e, a/ and word-finally.[10]

### Tones

Palmer[12] and [Hetzron](/source/Robert_Hetzron)[13] both identified three distinctive tone levels in Awngi: high, mid and low. The low tone, however, only appears in word-final position on the vowel a. A falling tone (high-mid) appears on word-final syllables only. Joswig[14] reanalyzes the system as having only two distinctive tone levels, with the low tone being a phonetic variant of the mid tone.

### Syllable structure

The Awngi syllable in most cases fits the maximum syllable template CVC (C standing for a consonant, V for a vowel). This means there is only one (if any) consonant each in the [syllable onset](/source/Syllable_onset) and the [rhyme](/source/Rhyme). Exceptions to this happen at word boundaries, where [extrametrical](/source/Extrametricality) consonants may appear.

### Phonological processes

#### Gemination

In positions other than word-initial, Awngi contrasts [geminate](/source/Gemination) and non-geminate consonants. The consonants /ɢ, ɢʷ, t͡s, t͡ʃ, j, w, ʒ/, however, have no contrast in gemination.

#### Vowel harmony

Whenever a suffix containing the [+high] vowel i is added to a stem, a productive vowel harmony process is triggered. [Hetzron](/source/Robert_Hetzron) calls this process regressive vowel height [assimilation](/source/Assimilation_(linguistics)). The vowel harmony only takes place if the underlying vowel of the last stem syllable is e. This vowel and all preceding instances of e and o will take over the [feature](/source/Distinctive_feature) [+high], until a different vowel is encountered. Then the vowel harmony is blocked. Hetzron[15] provides the following example: /moleqés-á/ ‘nun’ vs. /muliqís-í/ ‘monk’.

## Orthography

Awngi is used as Medium of Instruction from Grade 1 to 6 in primary schools of [Awi Zone](/source/Agew_Awi_Zone). It is written with an orthography based on the Ethiopian Script. Extra [fidels](/source/Ge%CA%BDez_script) used for Awngi are ጝ for the sound /[ŋ](/source/Voiced_velar_nasal)/ and ቕ for the sound /[q](/source/Voiceless_uvular_plosive)/. The fidel ፅ is used for /[ts](/source/Voiceless_alveolar_affricate)/, the fidel ኽ for the sound /[ɢ](/source/Voiced_uvular_plosive)/. Various aspects of the Awngi orthography are yet to be finally decided.[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*][*[by whom?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions)*]

## Morphology

### Nouns

The noun is marked for [number](/source/Grammatical_number) and [gender](/source/Grammatical_gender) ([masculine](/source/Masculine), [feminine](/source/Grammatical_gender) or [plural](/source/Plural)) as well as [case](/source/Grammatical_case). The nominative is unmarked for one class of nouns, or marked by *-i* for masculine nouns and *-a* for feminine nouns. Other cases are [accusative](/source/Accusative), [dative](/source/Dative), [genitive](/source/Genitive), [locative](/source/Locative), directional, [ablative](/source/Ablative), [comitative](/source/Comitative), [comparative](/source/Comparative), invocative and [translative](/source/Translative). Hetzron[16] also mentions adverbial as a case of Awngi, but an interpretation as a [derivational](/source/Derivation_(linguistics)) marker seems to be more appropriate. Number, gender, and case are marked through [suffixes](/source/Suffix) to the noun stems.[17]

### Verbs

The Awngi verbal morphology has a wealth of [inflectional](/source/Inflection) forms. The four main [tenses](/source/Grammatical_tense) are [imperfective](/source/Imperfective) past, imperfective non-past, [perfective](/source/Perfective) past and perfective non-past. There are various other coordinate and subordinate forms which are all marked through suffixes to the verb stems. The following distinctions are maintained for person: 1sg, 2sg, 3masc, 3fem, 1pl, 2pl, and 3pl. Hetzron demonstrated that the Awngi verbal morphology is most economically described when it is assumed that for every verb there are four distinct stems, marked A, B, C, and D in the following table. The first stem (A) is for 3masc, 2pl, and 3pl. The second stem (B) is for 1sg only, the third stem (C) for 2sg and 3fem, and the fourth stem for 1pl only. These four stems need to be noted for every verb in the [lexicon](/source/Lexicon) and serve as the basis for all other verbal morphology. The stems remain the same throughout all verbal paradigms, and it is possible to predict the surface form of each [paradigm](/source/Paradigm) member with these stems and the simple tense suffixes.[6]

Stems Person/ Gender Singular Plural 1 B D 2 C A 3 Masc A A Fem C A

## Syntax

The main verb of a [sentence](/source/Sentence_(linguistics)) is always at the end. The basic word order is therefore SOV. Subordination and coordination is achieved exclusively through verbal affixation.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-e27_1-0)** [Awngi](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/awn) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (27th ed., 2024)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1978121_2-0)** [Hetzron 1978](#CITEREFHetzron1978), p. 121.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswigMohammed2011_3-0)** [Joswig & Mohammed 2011](#CITEREFJoswigMohammed2011).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig2006786_4-0)** [Joswig 2006](#CITEREFJoswig2006), p. 786.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig2006792_5-0)** [Joswig 2006](#CITEREFJoswig2006), p. 792.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1969_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1969_6-1) [Hetzron 1969](#CITEREFHetzron1969).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig20102_7-0)** [Joswig 2010](#CITEREFJoswig2010), p. 2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig20109_8-0)** [Joswig 2010](#CITEREFJoswig2010), p. 9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig201015_9-0)** [Joswig 2010](#CITEREFJoswig2010), p. 15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1997478–479_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1997478–479_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1997478–479_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1997478–479_10-3) [Hetzron 1997](#CITEREFHetzron1997), pp. 478–479.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** see [Hetzron 1969](#CITEREFHetzron1969), p. 7f

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPalmer1959273_12-0)** [Palmer 1959](#CITEREFPalmer1959), p. 273.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron19696_13-0)** [Hetzron 1969](#CITEREFHetzron1969), p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJoswig2009_14-0)** [Joswig 2009](#CITEREFJoswig2009).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1997485_15-0)** [Hetzron 1997](#CITEREFHetzron1997), p. 485.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1978125ff_16-0)** [Hetzron 1978](#CITEREFHetzron1978), p. 125ff.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHetzron1978_17-0)** [Hetzron 1978](#CITEREFHetzron1978).

## Bibliography

- Appleyard, David L. (1996). "'Kaïliña' – A 'New' Agaw Dialect and Its Implications for Agaw Dialectology". *African Languages and Cultures. Supplement No. 3, Voice and Power: The Culture of Language in North-East Africa. Essays in Honour of B. W. Andrzejewski* (3): 1–19. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [586650](https://www.jstor.org/stable/586650).

- Appleyard, David L. (2006). *A Comparative Dictionary of the Agaw Languages*. Kuschitische Sprachstudien. Vol. 24. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-89645-481-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-89645-481-2). [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [2006483079](https://lccn.loc.gov/2006483079).

- [Dryer, Matthew S.](/source/Matthew_Dryer); [Haspelmath, Martin](/source/Martin_Haspelmath), eds. (2013). ["Awngi language"](http://wals.info/languoid/lect/wals_code_awn). *[World Atlas of Language Structures](/source/World_Atlas_of_Language_Structures) Online*. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

- [Hetzron, Robert](/source/Robert_Hetzron) (1969). *The Verbal System of Southern Agaw*. Berkeley: University of California Press. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [70014968](https://lccn.loc.gov/70014968).

- Hetzron, Robert (1976). "The Agaw Languages". *Afroasiatic Linguistics*. **3** (3).

- Hetzron, Robert (1978). "The Nominal System of Awngi (Southern Agaw)". *Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies*. **41** (1): 121–141. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S0041977X00057815](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0041977X00057815). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [162925064](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:162925064).

- Hetzron, Robert (1995). "Genitival agreement in Awngi: Variation on an Afroasiatic theme". In Plank, F. (ed.). *Double case*. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 325–335.

- Hetzron, Robert (1997). "Awngi [Agaw] Phonology". In Kaye, Alan S. (ed.). *Phonologies of Asia and Africa*. Vol. 1. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns. pp. 477–491.

- Joswig, Andreas (2006). "The Status of the High Central Vowel in Awngi". In Uhlig, Siegbert (ed.). *Proceedings of the XVth International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, Hamburg July 2003*. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. pp. 786–793.

- Joswig, Andreas (2009). ["Rethinking Awngi Tone"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200218124728/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aee6/b444194d1efcc44db2f3b9500925d57e72ff.pdf) (PDF). In Ege, Svein; Aspen, Harald; Teferra, Birhanu; Bekele, Shiferaw (eds.). *Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies*. Vol. 4. Trondheim: NTNU. pp. 1417–1425. [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [146370463](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:146370463). Archived from [the original](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aee6/b444194d1efcc44db2f3b9500925d57e72ff.pdf) (PDF) on 2020-02-18.

- Joswig, Andreas (2010). [*The Phonology of Awngi*](https://www.sil.org/system/files/reapdata/85/80/86/85808610450908625222845020214713662117/silewp2010_003.pdf) (PDF). SIL Electronic Working Papers. SIL International.

- Joswig, Andreas; Mohammed, Hussein (2011). [A Sociolinguistic Survey Report; Revisiting the Southern Agaw Language areas of Ethiopia](https://web.archive.org/web/20140907142311/http://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/43052) (Report). SIL Electronic Survey Reports. Vol. 2011–047. SIL International. Archived from [the original](https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/43052) on 2014-09-07.

- Palmer, Frank R. (1959). "The Verb Classes of Agaw (Awiya)". *Mitteilungen des Instituts für Orientforschung*. **7** (2). Berlin: 270–297.

- Tubiana, J. (1957). "Note sur la distribution géographique des dialectes agaw". *Cahiers de l'Afrique et de l'Asie*. **5**: 297–306.

v t e Languages of Ethiopia Official languages Afar Amharic Oromo Somali Tigrinya Regional languages Ethiosemitic Amharic Argobba Geʽez Gurage Inor Mesqan Muher Sebat Bet Soddo Zay Harari Siltʼe Tigrinya Cushitic Afar Alaba Ale Arbore Awngi Baiso Bussa Burji Daasanach Dirasha Gedeo Hadiyya Kambaata Konso Libido Oromo Qimant Saho Sidamo Somali Tsamai Xamtanga Omotic Aari Anfillo Bambassi Basketo Bench Boro Chara Dime Dizi Dorze Gamo-Gofa-Dawro Ganza Gayil Hamer-Banna Hozo Kachama-Ganjule Kafa Karo Koorete Maale Melo Nayi Oyda Seze Shekkacho Sheko Wolaitta Yemsa Zayse-Zergulla Nilo-Saharan Anuak Berta Daatsʼiin Gumuz Kacipo-Balesi Komo Kwama Kwegu Majang Meʼen Murle Mursi Nuer Nyangatom Opuuo Shabo Suri Uduk Foreign languages English Arabic Sign languages Ethiopian sign languages

v t e Cushitic languages Central Awngi North Kayla Qimant Qwara East Bilen Xamtanga East Highland Burji Sidamoid Hadiyyaic–Kambaataic Hadiyyaic Hadiyya Libido Kambaataic Alaba-Kʼabeena Kambaata Gedeo–Sidama Gedeo Sidama Lowland Omo–Tana Arboroid Arbore Daasanach El Molo Somaloid Baiso Girirra Rendille–Boni Aweer Rendille Somali languages/language Digil Dabarre Garre Tunni Others Ashraf Benadiri Caloowe Harlaad Jiiddu Maay Maay Waqooyi Yibir Oromoid Oromo West–Central Oromo Central–East Central Borana–Arsi–Guji Oromo Orma Eastern Eastern Oromo Waata Konsoid Konso Bussa–Dirasha Bussa Dirasha Dullay Ale Dobase Tsamai Saho–Afar Afar Saho Others Boon Dahalo Yaaku North Medjay Blemmyan Beja South Taita Cushitic ? Rift East Asa Kwʼadza West Burunge North Alagwa Iraqwoid Gorowa Iraqw Others Maʼa Italics indicate extinct languages

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Awngi language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awngi_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awngi_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.