African.
A name for all native dialects of Africa, not directly Semitic. Works by Borth, Kölle, Bleek, Beke, Sir G. Grey, Clarke’s “Dialects of Africa.” See [Introduction].
Afudu.
A native African dialect of the Otam, vernacular on the coast of W. Africa, about 4° N.L.
Agau or Agaw.
A language of Abyssinia, spoken in three dialects; 1. The Hhámara, or Agau of Lasta, the Tcheratz Agows of Bruce; 2. The Agáwi or Aghagha of Agaumider, i.e. Agau-land; 3. The Falasha spoken by the Israelitish people scattered over the northern and western parts of the country. Salt’s “Voyage,” Appdx. i., p. 6. C. T. B.
Agglutinative.
A name applied to certain languages, when “two unaltered roots combine to form words;” and words brought into mutual relation by syntax undergo a change of form, accent, or meaning; the Coptic, for example, is considered as essentially agglutinative. The American agglutinative languages are called polysynthetic or incorporating. These languages have generally little or no literature.
Agolelegmüt.