A Grammar Of Rayya Tigrinya

This dissertation is concerned with describing the grammar of Rayya Tigrinya (RT), a variety of Tigrinya, a member of the northern Ethio-Semitic group. RT is spoken in the southern part of Tigray. Based on data gathered from native speakers of the variety and introspection, the dissertation describes the phonology, morphology and syntax of the language variety. The study has identified 36 consonants (twenty-nine phonemes and seven allophones) and six vowels in RT. It has been attested that no word begins with a vowel, and a sequence of consonants is not permitted at word-initial and final positions. Word medially, only a cluster of two consonants is permitted. The syllable structures are CV and CVC. Like Tigrinya, RT uses the Semitic root-and-pattern morphological system in word formation. Nominals in RT are inflected for number, gender, definiteness and case. The verb morphology is complex. Verbs are classified into Types A, B and C. The majority of the verbs are tri-radical; however, a significant number of quadri-radical verbs have also been identified. Besides, a few quinti-radical verbs have been encountered. Verbs are inflected for agreement, tense/aspect and mood. Phrase structures are right headed; however, NPs of possession and all PPs are left headed. The word order in RT is canonically SOV (Subject-Object-Verb). Two or more independent clauses can be conjoined into a complex sentence. The discontinuous morpheme yə-…-y is a negative marker in the language variety; verbs and nominals can be negated by this morpheme.

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