Somali Grammar

Foreword
It is remarkable that, in this age of unprecedented global
communication and interaction, the majority of the world’s
languages are as yet not adequately described. Without basic
grammars and dictionaries, these languages and their communities
of speakers are in a real sense inaccessible to the rest of the world.
This state of affairs is antithetical to today’s interconnected global
mindset.
This series, undertaken as a critical part of the mission of the
University of Maryland Center for Advanced Study of Language
(CASL), is directed at remedying this problem. One goal of CASL’s
research is to provide detailed, coherent descriptions of languages
that are little studied or for which descriptions are not available in
English. Even where grammars for these languages do exist, in
many instances they are decades out of date or limited in scope or
detail.
While the criticality of linguistic descriptions is indisputable, the
painstaking work of producing grammars for neglected and under-
resourced languages is often insufficiently appreciated by scholars
and graduate students more enamored of the latest theoretical
advances and debates. Yet, without the foundation of accurate
descriptions of real languages, theoretical work would have no
meaning. Moreover, without professionally produced linguistic
descriptions, technologically sophisticated tools such as those for
automated translation and speech-to-text conversion are
impossible. Such research requires time-consuming labor,
meticulous description, and rigorous analysis.
It is hoped that this series will contribute, however modestly, to the
ultimate goal of making every language of the world available to
scholars, students, and language lovers of all kinds. I would like to
take this opportunity to salute the linguists at CASL and around the
world who subscribe to this vision as their life’s work. It is truly a
noble endeavor.
Richard D. Brecht
Founding Executive Director
University of Maryland Center for Advanced Study of Language