West Central Oromo

Contributed by Wakweya Gobena (Academia.edu profile).

W.G.'s photo

The data were gathered in 2023. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Gobena, Wakweya. 2023. Bivalent patterns in West Central Oromo. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on May 11, 2023; last revised on May 24, 2023.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Coordinates: 8.81, 36.74.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Afro-Asiatic, genus: Lowland East Cushitic.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Grammar notes

Basic clause structure and the transitive construction

Oromo has SOV syntax with head-initial NPs, showing a typologically uncommon combination of verb-finality versus head-modifier order. In terms of alignment of NPs, it belongs to the marked-nominative type, the uniquely African phenomenon: here, A and S employ identical explicit markers (nominative form), which differentiates them from O, which is formally unmarked (absolutive form). The alignment pattern here is like in the accusative languages (nominative-accusative alignment) because it treats S and A similarly against the O, but what is unusual is that the unmarked form signals the O argument.

(1)  barattoot-ni    kitaaba   fuɗ-at-an-i
     student-NOM     book.ABS  take-MID-3PL-PFV
     ‘Students took books.’

(2)  inni       (u)nu    waam-a
     3SG.M.NOM  1PL.ABS  call-3SG.M.IPFV
     ‘He calls/invites us.’

The verb indexes the subject for person, number, and gender. The indexing is explicit with most subjects, including the 3PL agent in (1), while others, including the 3SG.M subject in (2), are zero-indexed.

General morphological profile

Oromo is a predominantly suffixing language and can be characterized by a complex morphological system where some elements are loaded with several functions. In addition, morphemes are fused together involving varied and intricate phonological processes. For instance, vowel length shows multiple functions by itself and in combination with other suffixes.

Case system

Nouns and pronouns are morphologically marked for case. The common cases in Oromo include nominative, absolutive, dative, genitive, instrumental, locative, ablative, and vocative. The absolutive is just the citation form while the others are distinctly marked. The case system is categorized as the core case (nominative, absolutive) and the peripheral case (the remaining ones). Below are a few case paradigms for (in)definite nouns.

Table 1. Case paradigm

Case	Marker	INDEF	Gloss	DEF	Gloss
NOM	-ni	nam-ni	man-NOM	nam-ttʃ-i	man-DEF-NOM
ABS	citation	nama	man.ABS	mam-ittʃa	man-DEF.ABS
DAT	vowel length+f	namaaf	man.DAT	nam-ittʃaaf	man-DEF.DAT
GEN	(kan)vowel length	(kan) namaa	(GEN) man.GEN	(kan) nam-ittʃaa	(GEN) man-DEF.GEN
INS	vowel length+n	namaan	man.INS	nam-ittʃaan	man-DEF.INS
LOC	-tti	nama-tti	man-LOC	nam-ittʃa-tti	man-DEF-LOC
ABL	vowel length	eessaa	where.ABL	-	-
	irraa	nama irraa	man.ABS on-ABL	nam-ittʃa irraa	man-DEF.ABS on-ABL
VOC	-na	nama-na	man-VOC	-	-

The non-core cases are primarily associated with spatial senses, and they often involve vowel length in the morphological marking. The ablative is signalled by the vowel length and usually involves the adposition irra ‘on’ as its host, cf. seenaa irraa [history.ABS on.ABL] ‘from history’. The vowel length on the right-most constituent of the possessor NP marks the genitive case and is sometimes paired with the particle kan before the possessor.

(3)  mala          (kan)  nama  gabaabaa
     strategy.ABS  (GEN)  man   short.GEN
     ‘strategy of a short man’

(4)  sangaa  (kan)  nam-ittʃaa
     ox.ABS  (GEN)  man-DEF.GEN
     ‘the man’s ox’

The locative marker is a suffix -tti attached to a noun or pronoun, but it sometimes occurs as itti in the discourse (as a pronominal element).

(5)  kubbaa    isaan-tti  darbaɗɗ-u
     ball.ABS  3PL-LOC    throw.2SG-IMP
     ‘Throw a ball to them.’

(6)  kubbaa    itti  darbaɗɗ-u
     ball.ABS  LOC   throw.2SG-IMP
     ‘Throw a ball to them/him/her.’ (The addressee is discourse specific.)

Verbs

There are main verbs, copulas, and auxiliaries in Oromo. The main verbs identify perfective and imperfective aspects, but some sort of tense is also observable with auxiliary verbs. The perfective aspect is marked by the suffixes [-e, -i], and the imperfective by [-a, -u, -i] occurring as final morphemes in the sequence of suffixes. The potential verb suffixes marking the middle, causative, and passive are followed by the subject indexes and the aspect markers, and the verb indexes the subject/agent argument for person, number, and gender.

Table 2ː Agreement suffixes and imperfective aspect markers (exemplified by the verb root raf- 'to sleep')

Persons	AGR	IPFV	Inflected form	Translation
1SG	-Ø-	-a	raf-a	‘I sleep.’
2SG	-t-	-a	raf-t-a	‘You sleep.’
3SGM	-Ø-	-a	raf-a	‘He sleeps.’
3SGF	-t-	-i	raf-t-i	‘She sleeps.’
1PL	-n-	-a	raf-n-a	‘We sleep.’
2PL	- t -	-u	raf-t-u	‘You sleep (PL)’
3PL	- Ø -	-u	raf-u	‘They sleep.’

The copulas are ɗa, -ti, Ø used in the present tense (e.g., iʃeen barattuu ɗa ‘she is a student’), and the negative copula is miti (e.g., iʃeen barattuu miti ‘she is not a student’). The past forms of copular clauses involve the existential auxiliary tur- ‘existed/there was’ (e.g., iʃeen barattuu turte ‘she was a student.’). The verb tur- attaches agreement suffix and aspect marker. The auxiliaries dʒir- ‘exists/there is’ and tur- ‘existed/there was’ are often used in the converb constructions and progressive verb forms.

Verb lemmas

Verbs are quoted in their perfective or imperfective stems. The verb forms like waammata ‘he calls for himself’ are used as citation forms below; these forms contain valency changing suffixes (if necessary) as well as the 3SG.M subject index and aspect markers.

Glossing abbreviations

1, 2, 3 — 1st, 2nd, 3rd person; ABL — ablative; ABS — absolutive; AGR — agreement; AUX — auxiliary; CAUS — causative; CONV — converb; COP — copula; DAT — dative; DEF — definite; EP — epenthetical; F — feminine; FOC — focus; GEN — genitive; INF — infinitive; INS — instrumental; IPFV — imperfective; LOC — locative; M — masculine; MID — middle; NOM — nominative; NP — noun phrase; NPST — non-past; PASS — passive; POSS — possessive; PFV — perfective; PL — plural; PN — person name; PROG — progressive; SG — singular.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain ɗukkuba

Valency pattern: ABS_NOM

X: ABS

Y: NOM

Locus: X

obsaa-n	mataa-n	isa	ɗukkub-a
pn - nom	head- nom	3 sg . m . abs	pain-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa has a headache.’
Note: The first NP is fronted, but this is not obligatory.

2. have (illness) k'aba

Valency pattern: ABS_NOM

X: ABS

Y: NOM

Locus: X

k'ufaa-n	obsaa	k'ab-e
flu- nom	pn . abs	catch-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa has the flu.’

3. be afraid sodaata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	sar-ittʃa	sodaat-e
pn - nom	dog- def . abs	be_afraid.3 sg . m - pfv
‘Obsa is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw darbata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	dursa	ɗakaa	darbat-e
pn - nom	first	stone. abs	throw-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa threw a stone first.’

5. have enough gahaa k'aba

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

amma	obsaa-n	k'arʃii	gahaa	k'ab-a
now	pn - nom	money. abs	enough. abs	have-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Now Obsa has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).

6. resemble fakkaata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	fakkaat-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	resemble-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa resembles Tolaa.’

7. believe amana

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	aman-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	believe-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa believes Tolaa.’

8. take fuɗata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	kitaaba	fuɗat-e
pn - nom	book. abs	take-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took a book.’

9. see arga

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	mana	arg-a
pn - nom	house. abs	see-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa sees a house.’

10. influence ɗiibbaa k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirratti

X: NOM

Y: ABSirratti

Locus: Y

umurii-n	jaadattʃuu	irra-tti	ɗiibbaa	k'ab-a
age- nom	memory. abs	on- loc	influence	have-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Age influences memory.’

11. encounter ɗufa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-tti	ɗuf-e
pn - nom	pn - loc	come-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa encountered Tolaa.’

12. enter seena

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	mana	seen-e
pn - nom	house. abs	enter-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa entered the house.’

13. win moʔa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	moʔ-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	beat-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa beat Tolaa.’

14. go out gadi baʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABL

X: NOM

Y: ABL

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	manaa	gadi=baʔ-e
pn - nom	house. abl	down=go_out-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa went out of thehouse.’

15. drive oofa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	saʔ-ittii	oof-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	cow- def . abs	drive- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is driving the cow.’

16. bend dʒallisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	dam-ittʃa	dʒall-i-s-e
pn - nom	branch- def . abs	bend- ep - caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa bent the branch.’

17. tell dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_INS

X: NOM

Y: INS

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-ɗaan	"..."	dʒeɗ-e
pn - nom	pn - ins	…	say-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa said to Tola... ’

18. hold k'abata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	kitaaba	k'ab-at-ee	dʒir-a
pn - nom	book. abs	hold- mid - pfv . conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is holding a book.’

19. catch up k'ak'k'abata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	k'ak'k'ab-at-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	catch_up- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa caught up with Bontu.’

20. milk elma

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	saʔ-ittii	elm-e
pn - nom	cow- def . abs	milk-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa milked the cow.’

21. reach gaha

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	k'ark'ara	lagaa	gah-e
pn - nom	bank. abs	river. gen	reach-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa reached the river bank.’

22. touch itti buʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	keeɲɲan-itti	buʔ-e
pn - nom	wall- loc	strike-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa touched the wall.’

23. fight wal lola

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa	waddʒin	wal	lol-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	each_other	fight- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is fighting with Tola.’

24. be friends hirijaa=ɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa	waddʒin	hirijaa=ɗa
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	friend= cop . npst
‘Obsa is friend with Tola.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

25. think jaada

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN

X: NOM

Y: waa7eeGEN

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	waaʔee	boontuu	jaad-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	about	pn . gen	think- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is thinking about Bontu.’

26. eat ɲaata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	appilii	ɲaat-e
pn - nom	apple. abs	eat-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa ate an apple.’

27. fry biltʃeessa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

gurbaa-n	k'urt'umm-ittʃa	biltʃ-eess-e
boy- nom	fish- def . abs	fry- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘The boy fried the fish’

28. wait eega

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	eeg-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	wait- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is waiting for Tola.’

29. forget irraanfata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	karaa	isa	kan	biraa	irraanfat-ee	dʒir-a
pn - nom	road. abs	3 sg . m . abs	of	other. gen	forget- pfv . conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa forgot the other road.’

30. depend hundaaʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirratti

X: NOM

Y: ABSirratti

Locus: Y

jaadattʃuu-n	umurii	irra-tti	hundaaʔ-a
memory- nom	age. abs	on- loc	depend-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Memory depends on age.’

31. call waammata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	waamm-at-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	call- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa called Bontu.’

32. get to know wal bara

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	waddʒin	waggaa	tokko	dura	wal	bar-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	year	one	before	each_other	learn-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa got to know Bontu a year ago.’

33. know beeka

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	beek-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	know-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa knows Bontu.’

34. play (instrument) tap'ata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

nam-ittʃ-i	gitaara	tap'attʃ-aa	dʒir-a
man- def - nom	guitar. abs	play- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is playing a guitar.’

35. avoid ooda

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	ood-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	avoid-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa avoids Tola.’

36. make hoddʒeta

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	kijjoo	hantuutaa	hoddʒet-e
pn - nom	trap. abs	mouse. gen	make-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun k'oosa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-tti	k'oos-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn - loc	make_fun- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is making fun of Tola.’

38. have k'aba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

nam-ittʃ-i	konkolaataa	k'ab-a
man- def - nom	car. abs	have-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘The man has a car.’

39. look for barbaada

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	furtuu-wwan	isaa	barbaad-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	key- pl . abs	3 sg . m . poss	look_for- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is looking for his keys,’

40. paint halluu diba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	dallaa	sana	halluu	dib-e
pn - nom	fence. abs	that. abs	color	paint-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa painted the fence.’

41. bite tʃiniina

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

saree-n	tolaa	tʃ'iniin-t-e
dog- nom	pn . abs	bite-3 sg . f - pfv
‘A dog bit Tola.’

42. forfeit ɗaba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	mana	isaa	ɗab-e
pn - nom	house. abs	3 sg . m . poss	lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost his house.’

43. try to catch k'abuuf jaala

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

gurbaa-n	adurr-ittii	k'abuu-f	jaal-aa	dʒir-a
boy- nom	cat- def . abs	catch. inf -to	try- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘The boy is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break tʃ'aba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	ulee	tʃ'ab-s-e
pn - nom	stick. abs	break- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa broke a stick.’

45. flatter dʒadʒa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	dʒadʒ-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	flatter- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is flattering Bontu.’

46. love (person) dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	dʒaallat-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	love-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa loves Bontu.’

47. wave mirmirsa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	alaabaa	mirmirs-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	flag. abs	wave- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is waving a flag.’

48. dream abdʒata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	konkolaataa	haaraa	abdʒattʃ-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	car. abs	new. abs	dream- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash ɗik'a

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	waantʃ-ittʃa	ɗik'-e
pn - nom	cup- def . abs	wash-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa washed the cup.’

50. put on fuffata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	surree	uffat-e
pn - nom	trousers. abs	put_on-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa put on trousers.’

51. be called dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_BARE

X: NOM

Y: BARE

Locus: Y

meeʃaa-n	kun	kompaasii	dʒeɗ-am-a
tool- nom	this. nom	compass. abs	say- pass -3 sg . m . ipfv
‘This tool is called a compass.’

52. punish adaba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

nam-ittʃ-i	mutʃ'aa	isaa	adab-e
man- def - nom	son. abs	3 sg . m . poss	punish-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The man punished his son.’

53. attack haleela

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

risaa-n	adamsituu	sana	haleel-e
bear- nom	hunter. abs	that. abs	attack-3 sg . m . pfv
‘A bear attacked the hunter.’

54. fill (intr) guuta

Valency pattern: NOM_INS

X: NOM

Y: INS

Locus: Y

baald-ittʃ-i	biʃaan-iin	guut-e
bucket- def - nom	water- ins	fill-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The bucket filled with water.’

55. find argata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	furtuu	isaa	arg-at-e
pn - nom	key. abs	3 sg . m . poss	see- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa found his keys.’

56. be short ɗaba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	birrii	tokko	ɗab-e
pn - nom	birr. abs	one. abs	lack-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lacks one birr.’

57. hate dʒibba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	ni	dʒibb-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	foc	hate-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa hates Tola.’

58. like dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	ʃamizii	kana	dʒaallat-a
pn - nom	shirt	this. abs	like-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa likes this shirt.’

59. need barbaada

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	k'arʃii	barbaad-a
pn - nom	money. abs	need-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa needs money.’

60. surround marsa

Valency pattern: INS_NOM

X: INS

Y: NOM

Locus: X

magaal-ittʃ-i	keeɲɲan-iin	marf-am-ee	dʒir-a
city- def - nom	wall- ins	circle- pass - conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘The walls surround the city.’

61. remain hafa

Valency pattern: DAT_NOM

X: DAT

Y: NOM

Locus: X

obsaa-n	birrii-n	kuɗan	isaa-f	haf-e
pn - nom	birr- nom	ten. nom	3 sg . m - dat	remain-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa has ten birr left.’
Note: The first NP is fronted, but this is not obligatory. The subject is not grammatically marked for the plural, hence no PL index on the verb.

62. answer deebii kenna

Valency pattern: NOM_DAT

X: NOM

Y: DAT

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	bar-siis-ittʃaa-f	deebii	kenn-e
pn - nom	learn- caus - def - dat	answer. abs	give-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa answered the teacher.’

63. open bana

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	k'aruura	ban-e
pn - nom	can. abs	open-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa opened a can.’

64. be different adda=ɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirraa

X: NOM

Y: ABSirraa

Locus: Y

lakki	ʃamizii-n=koo	kan=kee	irraa	adda=ɗa
no	shirt- nom =1 sg . poss	of=2 sg . poss	on. abl	different= cop . npst
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

65. fall behind hafa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSbiraa

X: NOM

Y: ABSbiraa

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	kuf-ee	tolaa	biraa	haf-e
pn - nom	fall- conv	pn . abs	beside. abl	remain-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa fell and remained behind Tola.’

66. plough k'ota

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	laf-ittʃa	k'ot-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	land- def . abs	plough- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is ploughing the land.’

67. smell dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_RDP

X: NOM

Y: RDP

Locus: Y

hark-i=koo	benzina	benzina	dʒeɗ-a
hand- nom =1 sg . poss	gasoline	gasoline	say-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘My hands smell like gasoline.’

68. cross k'at't'aamura

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	daandii	k'at't'aamur-e
pn - nom	road. abs	cross-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa crossed the road.’

69. sing sirba

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	sirba	bareedaa	sirb-e
pn - nom	song. abs	beautiful. abs	sing-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa sang a beautiful song.’

70. write barreessa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	t'alajaa	barreess-e
pn - nom	letter. abs	write-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa wrote a letter.’

71. drink ɗuga

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	aannan-ittʃa	ɗug-e
pn - nom	milk- def . abs	drink-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa drank the milk.’

72. melt bak'sa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	liidii	t'ik'k'oo	tokko	bak'-s-e
pn - nom	lead. abs	small. abs	one	melt- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa melted a piece of lead.’

73. match wal sima

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

sak'k'ii-n	kun	uffata=koo	waddʒin	wal	sim-a
belt- nom	this. nom	dress=1 sg . poss	with	each_other	match-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘This belt matches my dress.’

74. leave gadi ɗiisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	magaalaa	keessa-tti	ɗal-at-e	gadi	ɗiis-e
pn - nom	city. abs	in- loc	give_birth- mid -3 sg . m . pfv	down	leave-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa left his native city.’

75. cover uwwisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

afaa-n	sun	laf-ittʃa	guutummaan	uwwis-a
carpet- nom	that. nom	space- def . abs	fully	cover-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘The carpet fully covers the space.’

76. remember jaadata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	man-ittʃa	sirrii-tti	jaadat-a
pn - nom	house- def . abs	right- loc	remember-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa remembers the house well.’

77. help gargaara

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	gargaar-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	help-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa helped Bontu.’

78. understand (language) ɗagaʔa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

boontuu-n	afaan	faransaayii	ɗageessi
pn - nom	language. abs	f rance. gen	hear.3 sg . f . ipfv
‘Bontu understands French.’

79. hit (target) rukkuta

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

balak'k'eessaa-n	man-ittʃa	rukkut-e
lightening- nom	house- def . abs	hit-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Lightening hit the house.’

80. cut oneself of mura

Valency pattern: NOM_INS

X: NOM

Y: INS

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	k'arabaa-ɗaan	of	mur-e
pn - nom	razor- ins	himself	cut-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

burtʃ'uk'k'-ittʃ-i	mindʒaala-tti	k'ab-at-e
glass- def - nom	table- loc	hold- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) moʔa + PASS

Valency pattern: NOM_INS

X: NOM

Y: INS

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-ɗaan	moʔ-am-e
pn - nom	pn - ins	win- pass -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost to Tola.’

83. be glad gammada

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	t'alajaa	sana-tti	gammad-e
pn - nom	letter. abs	that- loc	please-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was glad about the letter.’

84. speak odeessa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa	waddʒin	odeess-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	speak- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is speaking with Tola.’

85. give birth daʔa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

boontuu-n	ilma	deesse
pn - nom	son. abs	give_birth.3 sg . f . pfv
‘Bontu gave birth to a son.’

86. drop buusa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	burtʃ'uk'k'oo	lafa	buus-e
pn - nom	glass. abs	ground	drop. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa dropped a glass.’

87. govern geggeessa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	magaalaa	keeɲɲa	geggeess-a
pn - nom	town. abs	3 pl . poss	run-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa runs/governs our town.’

88. miss jaada

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	jaad-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	miss-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa misses Bontu.’

89. follow hordofa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	hordof-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	follow-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa follows Bontu.’

90. dismount buʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirraa

X: NOM

Y: ABSirraa

Locus: Y

nam-ittʃ-i	fard-ittʃa	irraa	buʔ-e
man- def - nom	horse- def . abs	on. abl	get_down-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The man got down from the horse.’

91. listen ɗaggeeffata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	raadijoo	ɗaggeeffattʃ-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	radio. abs	listen- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is listening to radio.’

92. obey ɗagaʔa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	jeroo	hunda	haaɗa	isaa	ɗagaʔ-a
pn - nom	time	all	mother. abs	3 sg . m . poss	hear-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa always listens to his mother.’

93. hear ɗaggeeffata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	sirb-ittʃa	ni	ɗaggeeffat-a
pn - nom	music- def . abs	foc	listen-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa listens/hears the song.’

94. mix wal maka

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

damm-ttʃ-i	aannan	waddʒin	wal	mak-e
honey- def - nom	milk. abs	with	each_other	mix-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look ilaala

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	duumessa	ilaal-aa	dʒir-a
pn - nom	cloud. abs	look- prog	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is looking at the cloud.’

96. take off baasa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	ʃamizii	isaa	of	irraa	baas-e
pn - nom	shirt. abs	3 sg . m . poss	self	on. abl	take_off-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) abdʒata

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN

X: NOM

Y: waa7eeGEN

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	waaʔee	boontuu	abdʒat-a
pn - nom	about	pn . gen	dream-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa deams about Bontu.’

98. agree walii gala

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	boontuu	waddʒin	wal-ii	gal-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	each_other-for	enter-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa agreed with Bontu.’

99. have a quarrel wal ɗaba

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin

X: NOM

Y: ABSwaddzin

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	boontuu	waddʒin	wal	ɗab-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	with	each_other. abs	lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa had a quarrel with Bontu.’

100. cost baasa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

waantʃ'aa-n	kun	birrii	tokko	baas-a
cup- nom	this. nom	birr	one. abs	cost-3 sg . m . pfv
‘This cup costs one birr.’

101. shoot at ɗukaasa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	simbirroo	sana-tti	ɗukaas-e
pn - nom	bird. abs	that- loc	shoot-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa shot at the bird.’

102. pour nak'a

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	sukkaara	burtʃ'uk'k'oo-tti	nak'-e
pn - nom	sugar. abs	glass- loc	pour-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa poured sugar into a glass.’

103. lose gata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	furtuu-wwan	isaa	gat-e
pn - nom	key- pl . abs	3 sg . m . poss	lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost his keys.’

104. sink gadi lit'a

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSkeessatti

X: NOM

Y: ABSkeessatti

Locus: Y

dʒirm-ittʃ-i	biʃaan	keessa-tti	gadi	lit'-e
log- def - nom	water. abs	in- loc	down	get-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The log sank in the water.’

105. kill addʒeesa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	addʒees-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	kill-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa killed Tola.’

106. hit rukkuta

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	rukkut-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	hit-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa hit Bontu.’

107. kiss ɗungata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	ɗungat-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	kiss-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa kissed Bontu.’

108. read dubbisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	kitaaba	bajeessa	dubbis-e
pn - nom	book. abs	good	read-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa read a good book.’

109. move (bodypart) sottʃoosa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	k'uba	isaa	sottʃoos-e
pn - nom	finger. abs	3 sg . m . poss	move. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa moved his finger.’

110. respect kabadʒa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	kabadʒ-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	respect-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa respects Tola.’

111. be squeamish aara

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN

X: NOM

Y: waa7eeGEN

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	waaʔee	k'odaa	t'uraaʔaa	aar-a
pn - nom	about	object	dirty. gen	be_squeamish-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is squeamish about the dirty dishes.’

112. be content itti k'uufa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	ilma	isaa-tti	k'uuf-a
pn - nom	son. abs	3 sg . m . poss - loc	be_satisfied-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is satisfied with his son.’

113. fall in love k'aba

Valency pattern: ABS_ABSirraa

X: ABS

Y: ABSirraa

Locus: XY

gurb-ittʃa	boontuu	irraa	dʒaalalli	isa	k'ab-e
boy- def . abs	pn . abs	on- abl	love- nom	3 sg . m . abs	catch-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The boy fell in love with Bontu.’

114. trust amana

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	aman-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	trust-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa trusts Tola.’

115. sympathise gadda

Valency pattern: NOM_DAT

X: NOM

Y: DAT

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	haaɗa	isaa-f	in	gadd-a
pn - nom	mother. abs	3 sg . m . poss - dat	foc	be_pity-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa feels sorry for his mother.’

116. envy inaafa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-tti	inaaf-a
pn - nom	pn - loc	envy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa invies Tola.’

117. be angry aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-tti	aaree	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn - loc	be_angry-3 sg . m . conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa remains angry with Tola.’

118. be surprised adʒaaʔibsiisata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	kennaa	kana	adʒaaʔib-siif-at-e
pn - nom	gift. abs	this. abs	surprise- caus - mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was surprised at this gift.’

119. love (tea) dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	ʃaajii	dʒaallat-a
pn - nom	tea. abs	love-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa loves tea.’

120. enjoy itti gammada

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	ʃaajii	hoʔaa-tti	gammad-a
pn - nom	tea. abs	hot- loc	enjoy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa enjoys hot tea.’

121. want barbaada

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	bilbila	haaraa	barbaad-a
pn - nom	phone. abs	new	want-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge haaloo k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	boontuu-tti	haaloo	k'ab-at-ee	dʒir-a
pn - nom	pn - loc	grudge. abs	hold- mid - conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa has held a grudge against Bontu.’

123. take offence mufata

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	tolaa-tti	mufat-e
pn - nom	pn - loc	take_offence-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took offence at Tola.’

124. upset mufattʃiisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	boontuu	baajjee	mufattʃiis-e
pn - nom	pn . abs	greatly	be_annoyed. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa greatly upset Bontu.’

125. marvel adʒaaʔibsiisata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	magaala-ttii	adʒaaʔib-siis-at-e
pn - nom	town- def . abs	impress- caus - mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was impressed by the town.’

126. despise tuffata

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	tolaa	tuffat-a
pn - nom	pn . abs	despise-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa despises Tola.’

127. get upset aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	ilma	isaa-tti	aar-e
pn - nom	son. abs	3 sg . m . poss - loc	get_upset-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa got upset with his son.’

128. get irritated aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	intala	isaa-tti	aar-ee	dʒir-a
pn - nom	daughter. abs	3 sg . m . poss - loc	irritate- conv	aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is getting angry at his daughter.’

129. be fond leellisa

Valency pattern: TR

X: NOM

Y: ABS

Locus: TR

obsaa-n	nam-ittʃa	in	leellis-a
pn - nom	man- def . abs	foc	like-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa likes the man.’

130. be shy k'aanaʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC

X: NOM

Y: LOC

Locus: Y

obsaa-n	hoddʒaa	isaa-tti	in	k'aanaʔ-a
pn - nom	height. abs	3 sg . m . poss - loc	foc	be_shy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is embarrassed about his height.’