A Change in [É—] and Homonymic Extension in Oromo Language: Case Study in Some Dialects of the Language

Abstract

This study has explored a change in [É—] sound and the homonymic word extension in Afaan Oromoo selected Dialects. Afaan Oromoo has many dialectal variations of which Macha or western dialect is one. Among Macha dialect speakers of some northern parts, the [É—] sound is heard replaced by [Ê”] when the language speakers of the local residents pronounce words containing them. The general objective of the study therefore was to explore what new words would be formed when ever words containing [É—] sound is replaced by words containing [Ê”] sounds. For this study, the researchers have employed a qualitative data collecting method. The data collected from two elementary schools (grade 7 & 8) students of Oromo language speakers.  The schools were selected in purpose as the data come from the schools were supposed to be saturate for the study.    Data were collected totally from 200 sample students who were selected in random sampling by excluding students originally not from the study area.    Techniques used in collecting data, different types of sentences were constructed using words containing [É—] sound and then presented the sentences to the students to read loudly in the class. Accordingly, every sample student was made to read at least one sentence loudly on turn-based. By this technique, the researchers were able to identify whether the students pronounce words containing [É—] in its sound in the constructed sentences. The finding of the study revealed that whenever words containing [É—] sounds are replaced by [Ê”] sound, homonymic words and unknown words are formed as a result. Therefore, regional government and educational bureau of the region Oromia has to work together to mitigate the homonymic conflict resulted from the happening.