Grammar Of The Amharic Language

In presenting this work to the public, the author offers his humble thanks to God, for having enabled him to accomplish it. He was aware, when he first set his hand to it, not only of its importance with regard to Abyssinia —its character, religion, history, and destinies —but also of the difficulty of the task which he had undertaken. This book closes the gap for beginners who want to study the Amharic language and had difficulties in finding the right grammar for this purpose. Other authors, grammar found adequate and not serving the purpose to the beginners. The new book gives all the grammatical forms and the sentences of the present grammar in Amharic script and in phonetic transcription. The illustrative examples have a free and a literal translation. This procedure should likewise prove to be useful for the Semitist as well as for the general linguist. Although there is, as yet, no literature in the Amharic Language, its study is of considerable importance to Orientalists. Its Semitic origin cannot be questioned it is evident in every feature. With regard to the Church Missionary Society, the author begs to repeat the same expressions of sincere gratitude, respect and solicitude, which he has uttered in the Preface to his Dictionary.