The syntax of Interrogatives in Oromo

Question in a natural language can be classified into a number of types. One of these types is wh- interrogative. Wh-interrogatives are so called because (in English) they typically involve the use of an interrogative word beginning with wh(who,why, what, when, where, which, but also how) Although the term wh seems originated from English interrogative words. It is used in syntax to refer to interrogative words equivalent to the above mentioned English type words of any language. The usage of wh item and wh-questions in reference to Oromo or any other language, therefore, is to mean interrogative items equivalent to the above English words and questions formed involving such items.In Oromo nine wh-items are identified in which six are basic and the remaining three are derived. All wh- items exhibit deferent morphological properties. Single and multiple wh-items are possible in the formation of wh-question in Oromo.The derivation of both single and multiple wh-questions does not take place in the overt syntax. The wh-phrases are in- situ type in Oromo i.e. there is no obligatory wh- movement in the derivation of wh-question of Oromo.

Autorentext

Amanuel A.Ayanso was born in West wollega zone-Oromiya.He studied elementary and junior school at Anfillo and high school at BESS. He studied Linguistics at BA and MA levels at AAU. Currently he is staff of Addis Ababa University offering linguistics courses in English and Afan Oromo. Amanuel is also studying for his PhD.