Gawwada (a Cushitic language of Southwest Ethiopia; ISO 639 code: gwd) expresses positions and directions in space through the use of an absolute landmark system (as defined in Levinson 2003). The Gawwada frame of reference operates on the basis of the opposiion between «uphill» and «downhill», plus a third orthogonal element. In Gawwada, «uphill» corresponds to the general direction of the North-East, and «downhill» to the South-West. These values are expressed by two groups of three nouns each: the Cardinals, which are Feminine nouns and which express a point in space and a trajectory; and the Locatives, which are Masculine nouns and rather imply a portion of space. The existence of a further group of three spatial verbs based upon the same opposition shows the richness and pervasiveness of the absolute frame of reference in Gawwada. The article discusses the semantics of the spatial elements and their morphological complexity, which is further increased by the presence of the two elements -a (Centrifugal) and -u (Centripetal). In its conclusions, the article addresses the possible areal character of this system and a few, still largely unsolved, cognitive issues (such as the expression of fictional, “imaginary universes”).
Le relief dans la tête : un système à repérage absolu de l'Ethiopie méridionale.
TOSCO, Mauro
2013-01-01
Abstract
Gawwada (a Cushitic language of Southwest Ethiopia; ISO 639 code: gwd) expresses positions and directions in space through the use of an absolute landmark system (as defined in Levinson 2003). The Gawwada frame of reference operates on the basis of the opposiion between «uphill» and «downhill», plus a third orthogonal element. In Gawwada, «uphill» corresponds to the general direction of the North-East, and «downhill» to the South-West. These values are expressed by two groups of three nouns each: the Cardinals, which are Feminine nouns and which express a point in space and a trajectory; and the Locatives, which are Masculine nouns and rather imply a portion of space. The existence of a further group of three spatial verbs based upon the same opposition shows the richness and pervasiveness of the absolute frame of reference in Gawwada. The article discusses the semantics of the spatial elements and their morphological complexity, which is further increased by the presence of the two elements -a (Centrifugal) and -u (Centripetal). In its conclusions, the article addresses the possible areal character of this system and a few, still largely unsolved, cognitive issues (such as the expression of fictional, “imaginary universes”).
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
