Zay

Abstract This chapter describes the linguistic features of the Zay language, which is endangered and exclusively used for oral communication. Zay uses nonlinear morphology with verbs but usually fully vocalized stems with nominals. Open word classes refer to verbs and nominals, while closed word classes are pronouns, relators and modifiers, and interjections. Zay syntax is characterized by an obligatory system of focus and clausal status marking that, in this form, is not found in other Ethiosemitic languages.