Are s' (6) and t' (01) Variants of an Amharic Variable? a Sociolinguistic Analysis*

Abstract

This paper attempts to see whether the Amharic s' (8 ) and t' (ro) are variants of the same variable or each has a separate function of its own. Such a distinction can make the users of the language more conscious of their becoming one of the sources of noise in the process of verbal or written comnunication and it can also minimize arguments that
may arise among users as to which variant is linguistically and socially 'correct' in the
course of their occurrence in a given lexical item, thereby contrib~ting to effectiveness in
communication. Noreover, the distinction can contribute to the standardization of AMharic,
the importance of which, like in any other language, has been pointed out by Stewart
(1968: 534), Garvin (1969: 267-8) and Wardhaugh (1986: 30). The paper raises the distinction between variables and variants, and between those that can be accounted for linguistically (systematic variations) and those that can be accounted for socially (sociological variables). It also shows that the confusion between Sf, which is originally a Geez phoneme, and t' is social rather than linguistic\. Howeve~ these two sounds are developing into separate phonenes as their significance in lexical differentiation
is just beginning to appear.