FOCUS PARTICLES IN SOMALI - A Comparative Study of baa and ayaa

Abstract

In Somali language every main declarative clause must contain a focus particle. Two of these particles, baa and ayaa, have often been described as interchangeable. This thesis examines the form and function of baa and ayaa in order to test that claim, asking whether the two particles differ in their position in the clause and in their syntactic and semantic behaviour. A corpus investigation of the three largest Somali corpora was conducted, examining the frequency and distribution of the two particles and their fused forms with subject pronouns. Survey was also employed, where 80 native speakers chose between baa and ayaa in 60 sentences drawn from the corpora. Findings suggest that the two particles are not interchangeable but divide the focus marking task between them. Ayaa is far more frequent and functions as the default marker; it is strongly preferred with definite noun phrases and personal pronouns, and in declarative clauses where the focus is presentational. Baa on the other hand, is the marked particle. It dominates in interrogative clauses and polar questions, and it alone may stand in clause final position, a position where ayaa cannot occur. Both the corpus data and the speaker verdict point to the same division of role.