A grammar of Gaahmg A Nilo-Saharan Language of Sudan Published by LOT Trans 10 3512 JK Utrecht The Netherlands phone: +31 30 253 6006 e-mail:
[email protected] http://www.lotschool.nl Cover illustration: Collecting water from lake at Bao, Sudan. Picture taken by author. ISBN: 978-94-6093-078-2 NUR 616 Copyright © 2011: Timothy M. Stirtz. All rights reserved. A grammar of Gaahmg A Nilo-Saharan Language of Sudan PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof. mr. P.F. van der Heijden, volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op dinsdag 7 februari 2012 klokke 16:15 uur door Timothy M. Stirtz geboren te Abilene, Kansas USA in 1971 Promotiecommissie: Promotor: Prof. dr. M.P.G.M. Mous Co-promotor: Dr. M.G. Kossmann Overige Leden: Prof. G.J. Dimmendaal (Universität zu Köln) Prof. Th.C. Schadeberg Dr. A. Amha 5 Acknowledgements It was a joy to study the Gaahmg language, in part because it is a fascinating language, but also because of the kind assistance I received along the journey. I am deeply indebted to my committee, Prof. Dr. M.P.G.M. (Maarten) Mous and Dr. M.G. (Maarten) Kossmann. Working with them has been rewarding and a pleasure. I want to thank Prof. Th.C. Schadeberg for his thoughtful comments on my thesis, as well as thank the other readers. I also want to express my thanks to Dr. Leoma Gilley, who was a mentor to me, gave me comments on several Gaahmg papers, and was the first to encourage me to pursue a PhD. My thanks also to Dr. Constance Kutsch Lojenga and Dr. Thomas E. Payne, for their time and input on portions of my thesis. I express deep appreciation to the Gaahmg people who shared with me their beautiful language. Hashim Orta Adaw Madal made arrangements for me to work with language speakers, travelled with me to the Gaahmg home area, and introduced me to his family and home. Annaim Karaka Farajalla Yasin was an enormous help in data collection, tirelessly producing paradigms and checking data. He demonstrated love and careful thought of his language, and always seemed t