Array

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.