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In:Grammatical and Sociolinguistic Aspects of Ethiopian Languages
Edited by Derib Ado, Almaz Wasse Gelagay and Janne Bondi Johannessen †
[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society 48] 2021
► pp. 119–136

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Sociolinguistic functions of the secret language of Gurage females

 | Jigjiga University
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Published online: 23 April 2021
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https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.48.05hai
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the sociolinguistic functions of the secret language spoken by a minority group within the Gurage, namely the Fedwet. This is the name of the speakers and the linguistic variety, mainly used by women who were followers of a former local religious tradition in Gurage found in southern Ethiopia. The qualitative approach of data gathering and analysis was used. Primary data were gathered by elicitation of words, recording of free texts and interviews. A total of 20 consultants participated in the interview, 12 of them also participating in the elicitation of words and the performance of texts. The interview responses were quantified for a descriptive statistical analysis. It was found that the sociolinguistic functions of Fedwet include the establishment of a secret communication among young girls to form a specific identity, and for various religious purposes. The motive for using it is related to the social position of women and the traditional belief system of Gurage.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Religion and the Damamwit cult
  • 3.Related literature and conceptual framework
  • 4.Method of data collection and analysis
    • 4.1The sociolinguistic interview
    • 4.2Elicitation
  • 5.The motive for using a different language
    • 5.1Social position of Gurage females
    • 5.2Religious practices of Gurage females
  • 6.The sociolinguistic functions of Fedwet
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
  • List of abbreviations
  • References
References (20)
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Cited by (1)

Cited by one other publication

Hailu, Etaferahu & Ronny Meyer
2025. Fedwet: Linguistic Features of an Endangered Argot of Gurage Women. In The Handbook of Multilingualism, Identity, and Language Endangerment in Africa [Springer Handbooks in Languages and Linguistics, ], ► pp. 541 ff. DOI logo

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