Azeb Amha

Dr Azeb Amha is a senior researcher and lecturer at the African Studies Centre Leiden. Her interest is in grammar, linguistic typology and in the interdisciplinary fields of anthropological linguistics and sociolinguistics.

Azeb did her BA and MA in linguistics at Addis Ababa University. She obtained her PhD in Linguistics from Leiden University, with her thesis on the grammar of the Maale language of Ethiopia. She publishes on Amharic, Maale, Oyda, Woalitta and Zargulla languages as well as on comparative research on the Omotic languages of the Afroasiatic phylum. Through her linguistic documentation projects, Azeb has produced audio-visual digital archives on various cultural practices, including work-songs, animal-directed speech, whistled-names, narratives and conversations on cultural and technical knowledge on house construction and farming among the Oyda and Zargula people in southern Ethiopia.

Azeb teaches in the BA and Research MA African Studies programmes on the topics language and power, linguistic diversity and language policy, research methods and inter-cultural communication. She served for 15 years as editor of the Journal of African Languages and Linguistics (JALL). Azeb is chair of the Research Master in African Studies at Leiden University and since 2020, she is head of the Netherlands Association of African Studies (NVAS).

Keywords: African Studies, grammatical description and typology of Omotic languages, language and power, intercultural communication, multilingualism and language endangerment, Afro-Asiatic languages, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa 

Dr. A. (Azeb) Amha
Senior researcher
Ethiopia

a.amha@asc.leidenuniv.nl
+31 (0)71 527 3364
Room number: 3.A09

Dr. A. Amha's profile on the Leiden University website
Publications by A. Amha via Google Scholar
Displaying 1 - 47 of 47

Language endangerment in Ethiopia (2023)
A. Amha; Z. Leyew
Editors: R. Meyer; B. Wakjira; Z. Leyew
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Research on language and culture in Africa (2022)
F.K. Ameka; A. Amha
Editors: S. Völkel; N. Nassenstein
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Singing the individual: name tunes in Oyda and Yopno (2021)
A. Amha; J. Slotta; H.S. Sarvasy
Type of Publication: Journal Article
Full text

The Omotic language family (2017)
A. Amha
Editors: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Commands in Wolaitta (2017)
A. Amha
Editors: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Complex predicates in Zargulla (2014)
A. Amha
Editors: R. Meyer; Y. Treis; A. Amha
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Explorations in Ethiopian linguistics: complex predicates, finiteness and interrogativity (2014)
Editors: R. Meyer; Y. Treis; A. Amha
Type of Publication: Book

Directives to humans and to domestic animals: the imperative and some interjections in Zargulla (2013)
A. Amha
Editors: M.C. Simeone-Senelle; M. Vanhove
Type of Publication: Book Chapter
Full text

Omotic (2012)
A. Amha
Editors: Z. Fajzyngier; E. Shay
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Compound verbs and ideophones in Wolaitta revisited (2010)
A. Amha
Editors: M. Amberber; B. Baker; M. Harvey
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Wolaitta (2010)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig; A. Bausi
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Ometo languages (2010)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig; A. Bausi
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

The converb in Wolaitta: form and functions (2010)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Völlmin; A. Amha; C. Rapold; S. Zaugg-Coretti
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Converbs, medial verbs, clause chaining and related issues: special issue of Frankfurter Afrikanistische Blätter (2010)
Editors: S. Völlmin; A. Amha; C. Rapold; S. Zaugg-Coretti
Type of Publication: Book

Review of: Gregory D. S. Anderson: Auxiliary verb constructions (2010)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Review

The morpho-syntax of negation in Zargulla (2009)
A. Amha
Editors: L. Wetzels
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

On loans and additions to the Fidel (Ethiopic) script (2009)
A. Amha
Editors: A. de Voogt; I.L. Finkel
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Participant marking and valence in Wolaitta (2009)
A. Amha
Editors: G.J. Dimmendaal
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Gender distinction and affirmative copula clauses in Zargulla (2008)
A. Amha
Editors: J.D. Bengtson
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Questioning forms in Zargulla (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: R. Voigt
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Malo (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Maale (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Koorete (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Non-verbal predication in Wolaitta (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: J. Crass; R. Meyer
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Kullo (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Are -a- and -o- in the indicative verb paradigms of Zargulla nominalizers? (2007)
A. Amha
Editors: A. Amha; G. Savà; M. Mous
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Gender and animacy in Maale in comparative perspective (2006)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Wolaitta (2006)
A. Amha
Editors: K. Brown
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

The converb in an African perspective (2006)
A. Amha; G.J. Dimmendaal
Editors: F.K. Ameka; A. Dench; N. Evans
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Verbal compounding in Wolaitta (2006)
A. Amha; G.J. Dimmendaal
Editors: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Dorze language (2005)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Gofa language (2005)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Secondary predicates and adverbials in Nilotic and Omotic: a typological comparision (2005)
A. Amha; G.J. Dimmendaal
Editors: N.P. Himmelmann; E. Schultze-Berndt
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Basketo language (2003)
A. Amha
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Basketo ethnography (2003)
A. Amha; D. Bustorf
Editors: S. Uhlig
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Review of: M. Lamberti and R. Sottile: The Wolaytta language (2002)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Review

The Maale Language (2001)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Book
Full text

Wolaitta (2001)
A. Amha
Editors: J. Garry; C. Rubino
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Ideophones and compound verbs in Wolaitta (2001)
A. Amha
Editors: C. Kilian-Hatz; F.K.E. Voeltz
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Review of: D. Appleyard: Colloquial Amharic (1997)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Review

The tone system of Maale (1997)
A. Amha
Editors: K. Fukui; E. Kurimoto; M. Shigeta
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Aspects of the verb in Ometo (1996)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Tone-accent and prosodic domains in Wolaitta (1996)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Case in Basketo (1995)
A. Amha
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Verb derivation in Ometo: the case of Maale, Basketo, Kullo and Koorete (1994)
A. Amha
Editors: H.G. Marcus
Type of Publication: Book Chapter
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

The Maale Language
 Leiden: Research School CNWS, CNWS publications 99, 2001
A. Amha
Full text

'Language endangerment in Ethiopia'
 In: R. Meyer; B. Wakjira; Z. Leyew: 'The Oxford handbook of Ethiopian languages', Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023.

'Research on language and culture in Africa'
 In: S. Völkel; N. Nassenstein: 'Approaches to language and culture', Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2022.

'Commands in Wolaitta'
 In: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon: 'Commands: a cross-linguistic typology', Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017.

'The Omotic language family'
 In: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon: 'The Cambridge handbook of linguistic typology', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017.

'Complex predicates in Zargulla'
 In: R. Meyer; Y. Treis; A. Amha: 'Explorations in Ethiopian linguistics: complex predicates, finiteness and interrogativity', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2014.

'Directives to humans and to domestic animals: the imperative and some interjections in Zargulla'
 In: M.C. Simeone-Senelle; M. Vanhove: 'Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Cushitic and Omotic languages, Paris, 16-18 April 2008', Köln: Köppe Verlag, 2013.
Full text

'Omotic'
 In: Z. Fajzyngier; E. Shay: 'The Afroasiatic languages', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.

'The converb in Wolaitta: form and functions'
 In: S. Völlmin; A. Amha; C. Rapold; S. Zaugg-Coretti: 'Converbs, medial verbs, clause chaining and related issues', Köln: Köppe Verlag, 2010.

'Ometo languages'
 In: S. Uhlig; A. Bausi: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 4', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2010.

'Wolaitta'
 In: S. Uhlig; A. Bausi: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 4', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2010.

'Compound verbs and ideophones in Wolaitta revisited'
 In: M. Amberber; B. Baker; M. Harvey: 'Complex predicates: cross-linguistic perspectives on event structure ', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.

'On loans and additions to the Fidel (Ethiopic) script'
 In: A. de Voogt; I.L. Finkel: 'The idea of writing: play and complexity', Leiden [etc.]: Brill, 2009.

'The morpho-syntax of negation in Zargulla'
 In: L. Wetzels: 'The linguistics of endangered languages: contributions to morphology and morpho-syntax', Utrecht: LOT, 2009.

'Participant marking and valence in Wolaitta'
 In: G.J. Dimmendaal: 'Participant marking: case studies from twelve African languages', Amsterdam [etc.]: John Benjamins, 2009.

'Gender distinction and affirmative copula clauses in Zargulla'
 In: J.D. Bengtson: Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 2008.

'Kullo'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 3', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

'Koorete'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 3', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

'Maale'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 3', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

'Malo'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 3', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

'Questioning forms in Zargulla'
 In: R. Voigt: '"From beyond the Mediterranean": Akten des 7. internationalen Semitohamitistenkongresses (VII. ISHaK), Berlin 13. bis 15. September 2004', Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2007.

'Are -a- and -o- in the indicative verb paradigms of Zargulla nominalizers?'
 In: A. Amha; G. Savà; M. Mous: 'Omotic and Cushitic language studies: papers from the fourth Cushitic Omotic Conference, Leiden, 10-12 April 2003', Köln: Köppe, 2007.

'Non-verbal predication in Wolaitta'
 In: J. Crass; R. Meyer: 'Deictics, copula, and focus in the Ethiopian convergence area', Köln: Köppe Verlag, 2007.

'Verbal compounding in Wolaitta'
 In: A.Y. Aikhenvald; R.M.W. Dixon: 'Serial verb constructions: a cross-linguistic typology', Oxford [etc.]: Oxford University Press, 2006.

'The converb in an African perspective'
 In: F.K. Ameka; A. Dench; N. Evans: 'Catching language: the standing challenge of grammar writing', Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2006.

'Wolaitta'
 In: K. Brown: 'Encyclopedia of language and linguistics ; vol. 13 (2nd ed.)', Oxford: Elsevier, 2006.

'Gender and animacy in Maale in comparative perspective'
 'XVth International Conference of Ethiopian Studies', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2006.

'Dorze language'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 2', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005.

'Secondary predicates and adverbials in Nilotic and Omotic: a typological comparision'
 In: N.P. Himmelmann; E. Schultze-Berndt: 'Secondary predication and adverbial modification: the typology of depictives', Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

'Gofa language'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 2', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005.

'Basketo ethnography'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 1', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2003.

'Basketo language'
 In: S. Uhlig: 'Encyclopaedia Aethiopica ; vol. 1', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2003.

'Wolaitta'
 In: J. Garry; C. Rubino: 'Facts about the world's languages: an encyclopaedia of the world's major languages: past and present', New York [etc.]: The H.W. Wilson Company, 2001.

'Ideophones and compound verbs in Wolaitta'
 In: C. Kilian-Hatz; F.K.E. Voeltz: 'Ideophones', Amsterdam [etc.]: John Benjamins, 2001.

'The tone system of Maale'
 In: K. Fukui; E. Kurimoto; M. Shigeta: 'Ethiopia in broader perspective: papers of the XIIIth International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, Kyoto, 12-17 December 1997', Kyoto: Shokado Book Sellers, 1997.

'Verb derivation in Ometo: the case of Maale, Basketo, Kullo and Koorete'
 In: H.G. Marcus: 'New trends in Ethiopian studies : Ethiopia 94 : papers of the 12th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, Michigan State University, 5-10 September 1994', 1994.

Explorations in Ethiopian linguistics: complex predicates, finiteness and interrogativity
 R. Meyer; Y. Treis; A. Amha (editors)
Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes ; Band 91 2014.

Converbs, medial verbs, clause chaining and related issues: special issue of Frankfurter Afrikanistische Blätter
 S. Völlmin; A. Amha; C. Rapold; S. Zaugg-Coretti (editors)
Köln: Köppe Verlag, 2010.

Omotic and cushitic languages studies: papers from the fourth Cushitic Omotic Conference, Leiden, 10-12 April 2003
 A. Amha; G. Savà; M. Mous (editors)
Köln: Köppe Verlag, 2007.

'Singing the individual: name tunes in Oyda and Yopno'
 in: Frontiers in psychology, vol. 12, 2021.
Full text

'From gender identification to assertion: on the use of -tte and -tta in Zargulla, an endangered Omotic language'
 in: Journal of West African languages, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 57 - 73, 2010.

'Aspects of the verb in Ometo'
 in: Ethiopian journal of languages and literature, vol. 6, pp. 43 - 63, 1996.

'Tone-accent and prosodic domains in Wolaitta'
 in: Studies in African linguistics, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 111 - 138, 1996.

'Case in Basketo'
 in: African languages and cultures, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1 - 17, 1995.

'Review of: Gregory D. S. Anderson: Auxiliary verb constructions'
 Journal of African languages and linguistics, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 114 - 120, 2010.

'Review of: M. Lamberti and R. Sottile: The Wolaytta language'
 Journal of African languages and linguistics, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 79 - 87, 2002.

'Review of: D. Appleyard: Colloquial Amharic'
 Journal of African languages and linguistics, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 171 - 176, 1997.