--- title: "The acquisition of inflectional morphology — Alamirew 2022" description: "This study examines how young Amharic-speaking children acquire inflectional morphology on nouns, a topic little studied for African languages." authors: ["Fikre Diress Alamirew"] year: 2022 venue: "Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development" source: "https://www.science-res.com/index.php/jclad/article/view/87" licence: "CC BY (journal licence per DOAJ; Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development)" licence_url: "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" summary_licence: "Elamur Cosmic License" canonical: "https://research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/alamirew-2022-acquisition-inflectional-morphology-representation-nominal/" --- [Elamur Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/alamirew-2022-acquisition-inflectional-morphology-representation-nominal/) [home](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [papers](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/) / [2022](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/2022/page/5/) / The acquisition of inflectional morphology: The representation of nominal inflections in Amharic speaking children’s speeches # The acquisition of inflectional morphology: The representation of nominal inflections in Amharic speaking children’s speeches **Authors:** [Fikre Diress Alamirew](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/authors/fikre-diress-alamirew/) · **Year:** 2022 · **Venue:** Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development · **Licence:** [CC BY (journal licence per DOAJ; Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) **Links:** [Publisher's page](https://www.science-res.com/index.php/jclad/article/view/87) · [PDF](https://www.science-res.com/index.php/jclad/article/download/87/69) · [OpenAlex](https://openalex.org/W6979722782) **Citations:** 0 citations (OpenAlex, 2026-10-14) ## Summary This study examines how young Amharic-speaking children acquire inflectional morphology on nouns, a topic little studied for African languages. Using a cross-sectional design, the author collected speech from twelve children through four elicitation tasks: picture description, picture narration, spontaneous speech, and story-telling. The recordings were transcribed in IPA and analysed for correct and incorrect nominal inflections. Correct forms clearly outnumbered errors. Gender, person, and possessive markers were handled well by every child. Plural, definite, and case markers were used correctly in some utterances but not in others. Two error types dominated: * **Omission**, where plural, definite, or accusative markers were dropped. * **Paradigm shift**, where the regular plural marker replaced rarer plural allomorphs. Errors were less frequent among older children and girls. The author argues that difficulty grows when several morphemes must be combined on one noun and when their meanings carry heavy functional load. The study concludes that full mastery of stacked nominal inflection arrives well after the ages studied, and that a low error rate alone does not prove a child has mastered the system. ## Key points - The data come from 12 Amharic-speaking children in a cross-sectional design, elicited through four tasks and transcribed in IPA. - Gender, person, and possessive morphemes were the most reliably correct categories across all children. - Omission errors affected plural, definite, and accusative markers. - Children overgeneralized the regular plural [-otʃ] in place of the less frequent plural markers /-a/, /-an/, /-at/ and /-wit/. - Error rates were lower in older children's and girls' speech, and errors were concentrated where several inflections co-occur in sequence. ## Interesting ideas - The paper sorts morphological errors into two kinds: a missing marker (omission) and a wrong-paradigm marker (paradigm shift, such as using the regular plural). This separates "feature not realised" from "feature realised with the wrong allomorph." — For Mova (learn): Evaluation of morphology and lemma errors could report these two error classes separately, so that repair rules target the right failure. - A child producing a correct form in one utterance does not show mastery; failures appear once the full paradigm is in play. Accuracy on familiar contexts can therefore hide gaps. — For Mova (learn): Test sets could include full-paradigm probes alongside naturally occurring text, acting as a control against inflated accuracy from frequent forms. - Difficulty is linked to how many inflections are stacked on one noun and in what order, rather than to any single category. — For Mova (tokens): Morphology test items could be grouped by the number of combined features, showing whether the analyzer degrades on multiply inflected words. - Overgeneralization pulls rare allomorphs toward the dominant regular pattern, much as a statistical learner does. — For Mova (tokens): The tagger and lemmatizer could be checked specifically on low-frequency irregular forms, using an explicit exception lexicon to stop drift toward the regular rule. - Gathering speech through several task types (describing, narrating, spontaneous talk, storytelling) yields varied constructions from the same speakers. — For Mova (answer): Fable and tale QA evaluation could likewise mix narrative, descriptive, and conversational inputs, so results are not tied to a single genre. *Our summary of the paper, in our own words — not its text. The work belongs to its authors; read it at the links above.* Fields: [Linguistics & languages](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/shelves/linguistics/) Topics: [Morphology](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/topics/morphology/) · [Semitic languages](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/topics/semitic-languages/) ## Cite The paper itself, not this page. BibTeX from the library's record of the work. ```bibtex @article{alamirew2022acquisition, title = {{The acquisition of inflectional morphology: The representation of nominal inflections in Amharic speaking children’s speeches}}, author = {Alamirew, Fikre Diress}, journal = {Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www.science-res.com/index.php/jclad/article/view/87} } ``` - [← previous Teaching Arabic Grammar to Non-Native Speaker, between Curriculum and Acting on it (Silsiletu Abjad Series)](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/jankr-2022-teaching-arabic-grammar-non-native/) - [next → The Arabic Language from Its Earliest Times to the Age of Ignorance](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/jnaidi-2022-arabic-language-earliest-times-age/) - [↑ back to papers of 2022](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/2022/page/5/) ## References 20 references, 1 of them with a card of ours. ↗ leads to the work, «find» searches for one we have no id for yet. 1. Abebayehu, M. M. (2013). Speech Production in Amharic Speaking Children with Repaired Cleft Palate. PH.D.dissertation, University of Sheffield, UK Sheffield. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abebayehu%2C+M%2E+M%2E+%282013%29%2E+Speech+Production+in+Amharic+Speaking+Children+with+Repaired+Cleft+Palate%2E+PH%2ED%2Edissertation%2C+University+of+Sheffield%2C+UK+Sheffield%2E) 2. Abebayehu, M. M., & Demeke, J. (2017). Aspects of phonological acquisition in children Speaking Sidaamu Afoo. Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development JCLAD, 5(4),208-21. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abebayehu%2C+M%2E+M%2E%2C+%26+Demeke%2C+J%2E+%282017%29%2E+Aspects+of+phonological+acquisition+in+children+Speaking+Sidaamu+Afoo%2E+Journal+of+Child+Language+Acquisition+and+Development+JCLAD%2C+5%284%29%2C208%2D21%2E) 3. Abebayehu, M. M., & Fikre, D. (2022). The acquisition of verbs by Amharic speaking children. International Journal of Social sciences and human Research, 5(1) 259-270. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abebayehu%2C+M%2E+M%2E%2C+%26+Fikre%2C+D%2E+%282022%29%2E+The+acquisition+of+verbs+by+Amharic+speaking+children%2E+International+Journal+of+Social+sciences+and+human+Research%2C+5%281%29+259%2D270%2E) 4. Abebayehu, M. M, & Fikre, D. (2021). The developmental realization of Ejectives by typically developing Amharic speaking children: Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development. 9/4 413-426. Abenezer, G/Egziabher.(2013).Child language and Baby Talk. Unpublished Master thesis. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abebayehu%2C+M%2E+M%2C+%26+Fikre%2C+D%2E+%282021%29%2E+The+developmental+realization+of+Ejectives+by+typically+developing+Amharic+speaking+children%3A+Journal+of+Child+Language+Acquisition+and+Development%2E+9%2F4+413%2D426%2E+A) [our card](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/alamirew-2021-developmental-realization-ejectives-typically-developing/) 5. Alemayehu, T. (2022). An investigation of the acquisition of Oromo inflectional Morphology in typical developing children. International Journal of Social Sciences and Human Research (IJSSHR) 5(5)1579-1586. Anbessa,T.,& Hudson,G.(2007).Essentials of Amharic (Vol. 18): Rüdiger Köppe. Assaiqeli,A. (2013).Theories of language learning:a contrastive view. Scholarly Journal of Scientific Research and Essay(SJSRE) 2(3)34-43. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Alemayehu%2C+T%2E+%282022%29%2E+An+investigation+of+the+acquisition+of+Oromo+inflectional+Morphology+in+typical+developing+children%2E+International+Journal+of+Social+Sciences+and+Human+Research+%28IJSSHR%29+5%285%291579) 6. Barry, D. (2013). Acquisition of morphology and syntax in Children. USA: Oakland University: Clarkston,Michigan 483-46. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Barry%2C+D%2E+%282013%29%2E+Acquisition+of+morphology+and+syntax+in+Children%2E+USA%3A+Oakland+University%3A+Clarkston%2CMichigan+483%2D46%2E) 7. Berko, J. (1958). The Child's Learning of English Morphology. Dissertation presented to Radcliffe College. Bittner, D.,Dressler, W.,& Kilani, S. M.(2003).Development of verb inflection in first Language acquisition. A cross Linguistic perspective. Berlin: Moutonde Gruyter. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Berko%2C+J%2E+%281958%29%2E+The+Child%27s+Learning+of+English+Morphology%2E+Dissertation+presented+to+Radcliffe+College%2E+Bittner%2C+D%2E%2CDressler%2C+W%2E%2C%26+Kilani%2C+S%2E+M%2E%282003%29%2EDevelopment+of+verb+inflection+in+first+Langua) 8. Brown, R. (1973). A First Language:The Early Stages.Cambridge: Harvard University Press. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Brown%2C+R%2E+%281973%29%2E+A+First+Language%3AThe+Early+Stages%2ECambridge%3A+Harvard+University+Press%2E) 9. Clark, E. V. (1973). What’s in a word: On the child’s acquisition of semantics in his first language. In T. E. Moore. (Ed) Cognitive development and the acquisition of language. pp. 42-86. New York: Academic Press. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Clark%2C+E%2E+V%2E+%281973%29%2E+What%E2%80%99s+in+a+word%3A+On+the+child%E2%80%99s+acquisition+of+semantics+in+his+first+language%2E+In+T%2E+E%2E+Moore%2E+%28Ed%29+Cognitive+development+and+the+acquisition+of+language%2E+pp%2E+42%2D86%2E+New+York%3A+A) 10. Clark, E. V. (2001). Emergent categories in first language acquisition. In Melissa Bowerman and Stephen C. Levinson.Language acquisition and conceptual development. Cambridge: CUP. Cruz,Z.(2015).First Language Acquisition: Is Children’s knowledge of language innate? Unpublished BA thesis. Deen, k.ud,(2005) The acquisition of Swahili language and language Disorder. John Benjamin publishing company. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Clark%2C+E%2E+V%2E+%282001%29%2E+Emergent+categories+in+first+language+acquisition%2E+In+Melissa+Bowerman+and+Stephen+C%2E+Levinson%2ELanguage+acquisition+and+conceptual+development%2E+Cambridge%3A+CUP%2E+Cruz%2CZ%2E%282015%29%2EFirst) 11. Fashold, W. R. (2010). An Introduction to linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Fashold%2C+W%2E+R%2E+%282010%29%2E+An+Introduction+to+linguistics%2E+Cambridge%3A+Cambridge+University+Press%2E) 12. Welder, A. N. and Graham, S. A. (2006). Infants’ categorization of novel objects with more or less obvious features. Cognitive psychology, 52,57-91. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Welder%2C+A%2E+N%2E+and+Graham%2C+S%2E+A%2E+%282006%29%2E+Infants%E2%80%99+categorization+of+novel+objects+with+more+or+less+obvious+features%2E+Cognitive+psychology%2C+52%2C57%2D91%2E) 13. Gor, K., & Cherni, G. T. (2002). Formal Instruction and the Mental Lexicon: the acquisition of verb morphology. In Housen, A., Pierrard , M. (eds.) . Current Issues in Instructed Second Language Learning. Mouton.De Gruyter. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Gor%2C+K%2E%2C+%26+Cherni%2C+G%2E+T%2E+%282002%29%2E+Formal+Instruction+and+the+Mental+Lexicon%3A+the+acquisition+of+verb+morphology%2E+In+Housen%2C+A%2E%2C+Pierrard+%2C+M%2E+%28eds%2E%29+%2E+Current+Issues+in+Instructed+Second+Language+Learn) 14. Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development – JCLAD Vol: 10 Issue: 2 534-556, 2022 ISSN: 2148-1997 [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Journal+of+Child+Language+Acquisition+and+Development+%E2%80%93+JCLAD+Vol%3A+10+Issue%3A+2+534%2D556%2C+2022+ISSN%3A+2148%2D1997) 15. Ingram,D. (1989).First language acquisition. Method, description and explanation . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Mashhadi .D. (2012).First language acquisition: phonological considerations. Theory and practice of Language studies. 2.(2) 411 -416. O'Grady,W.(2005).How children learn language. Cambridge: Cambridge University press. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ingram%2CD%2E+%281989%29%2EFirst+language+acquisition%2E+Method%2C+description+and+explanation+%2E+Cambridge%3A+Cambridge+University+Press%2E+Mashhadi+%2ED%2E+%282012%29%2EFirst+language+acquisition%3A+phonological+considerations%2E+T) 16. Penke, M. (2012). The acquisition of inflectional morphology. University of Cologne. Radford, A.(2009 a).Linguistics An Introduction.New York: Cambridge University Press. Sibanda,C.(2014).A Constraint based Approach to Child Language Acquisition of Shona Morphosyntax .Unpublished PhD Dissertation: University of South Africa. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Penke%2C+M%2E+%282012%29%2E+The+acquisition+of+inflectional+morphology%2E+University+of+Cologne%2E+Radford%2C+A%2E%282009+a%29%2ELinguistics+An+Introduction%2ENew+York%3A+Cambridge+University+Press%2E+Sibanda%2CC%2E%282014%29%2EA+Constraint) 17. Soltanieh, S. (2014). Parental Attitudes to Bilingualism and Parental strategies for Developing first Language and Second Language Skills. Unpublished master Thesis. University of Stavanger. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Soltanieh%2C+S%2E+%282014%29%2E+Parental+Attitudes+to+Bilingualism+and+Parental+strategies+for+Developing+first+Language+and+Second+Language+Skills%2E+Unpublished+master+Thesis%2E+University+of+Stavanger%2E) 18. Tariku, N. (2019). Acquisition of Oromo Phonology by Typically Growing Children. Unpublished PhD dissertation: Addis Ababa University. Tatsumi,T.(2017).Children’s Acquisition of Verb Inflection in Japanese: contrasting generativist and constructivist approaches. Unpublished PhD dissertation. University of Liverpool. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Tariku%2C+N%2E+%282019%29%2E+Acquisition+of+Oromo+Phonology+by+Typically+Growing+Children%2E+Unpublished+PhD+dissertation%3A+Addis+Ababa+University%2E+Tatsumi%2CT%2E%282017%29%2EChildren%E2%80%99s+Acquisition+of+Verb+Inflection+in+Jap) 19. Zahra Níková, M. (2011). First Language Acquisition and Socialization. Unpublished Bachelor’s Diploma Thesis, University of Masaryk. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Zahra+N%C3%ADkov%C3%A1%2C+M%2E+%282011%29%2E+First+Language+Acquisition+and+Socialization%2E+Unpublished+Bachelor%E2%80%99s+Diploma+Thesis%2C+University+of+Masaryk%2E) 20. Zoltan, D. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University press [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Zoltan%2C+D%2E+%282007%29%2E+Research+methods+in+applied+linguistics%2E+Oxford%3A+Oxford+University+press)