Language
Ethiopia has 83 different
languages with up to 200 different dialects spoken. The largest ethnic and
linguistic groups are the Oromos, Amharas and Tigrayans.
Ge'ez is the ancient language, and was
introduced as an official written language during the first Aksumite kingdom
when the Sabeans sought refuge in Aksum. The Aksumites developed Ge'ez, a unique script derived
from the Sabean alphabet, and it is still used by the Ethiopian Orthodox
Tewahedo Church today. Tigrigna and Amharigna (Amharic) are the modern
languages which are derived from Ge'ez. Amharic is the official national
language of Ethiopia. English, Arabic, Italian and French are widely spoken by
many Ethiopians.
The Ethiopian languages are
divided into four major language groups. These are Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic,
and Nilo-Saharan.
Semitic
The Semitic languages are
spoken in northern, central and eastern Ethiopia (mainly in Tigray, Amhara,
Harar and northern part of the Southern Peoples' State regions). They use the
Ge'ez script that is unique to the country, which consists of 33 letters, each
of which denotes 7 characters, making a total of 231 characters.
The Semitic Languages:
·
Adarigna
·
Amharigna
·
Argobba
·
Birale
·
Gafat
·
Ge'ez
·
Guragigna
·
Chaha
group (Chaha, Muher, Ezha, Gumer, Gura)
·
Inor
group (Inor, Enner, Endegegna, Gyeto, Mesemes)
·
Silt'e
group (Silt'e, Ulbareg, Enneqor, Walane)
·
Soddo
group (Soddo, Gogot, Galila)
·
Tigrigna
·
Zay
Cushitic
The Cushitic languages are
mostly spoken in central, southern and eastern Ethiopia (mainly in Afar, Oromia
and Somali regions). The Cushitic languages use the Roman alphabet and Ge'ez
script. For example, Oromo is written in the Ge'ez script whereas Somali is
written in the Roman alphabet.
The Cushitic Languages:
·
Afarigna
·
Agewigna
·
Alaba
·
Arbore
·
Awngi
·
Baiso
·
Burji
·
Bussa
·
Daasanech
·
Gawwada
·
Gedeo
·
Hadiyya
·
Kambatta
·
Kemant
·
Konso
·
Kunfal
·
Libido
·
Oromigna
·
Saho
·
Sidamigna
·
Somaligna
·
Tsamai
·
Werize
·
Xamtanga
Omotic
The Omotic languages are
predominantly spoken between the Lakes of southern Rift Valley and the Omo
River.
The
Omotic Languages:
·
Anfillo
·
Ari
·
Bambassi
·
Basketto
·
Bench
·
Boro
·
Chara
·
Dime
·
Dizzi
·
Dorze
·
Gamo-Gofa
·
Ganza
·
Hammer-Banna
·
Hozo
·
Kachama-Ganjule
·
Kara
·
Kefa
·
Kore
·
Male
·
Melo
·
Mocha
·
Nayi
·
Oyda
·
Shakacho
·
Sheko
·
Welaytta
(Welamo)
·
Yemsa
·
Zayse-Zergulla
Nilo-Saharan
The Nilo-Saharan languages
are largely spoken in the western part of the country along the border with
Sudan (mainly in Gambella and Benshangul regions).
The
Nilo-Saharan Languages:
·
Anuak
·
Berta
·
Gobato
·
Gumuz
·
Komo
·
Kunama
·
Kwama
·
Kwegu
·
Majang
·
Me'en
·
Murle
·
Mursi
·
Nera
·
Nuer
·
Nyangatom
·
Opuuo
·
Shabo
·
Suri
·
Uduk
