List of languages ​​of Ethiopia

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The List of Languages ​​of Ethiopia lists the 80 or so languages ​​spoken in north-east African Ethiopia , and provides explanations of the importance of individual languages ​​in politics and teaching.

Meaning of individual languages

As in almost all African countries, the question of the number of speakers of individual languages ​​is a political issue and the information on this is partly controversial. Ethiopia's official language at the federal level is Amharic , one of the Ethio-Semitic languages , which is spoken by around 20 million people as their mother tongue and another 4 million Ethiopians as a second language. The language with the most speakers, on the other hand, is the Cushitic Oromo with around 25.5 million speakers. Other languages, such as the Kwama language , are only spoken by a few tens of thousands of people.

The borders of individual states were drawn along language borders and here the regional languages ​​Oromo, Tigrinya , Somali , Afar and Harari serve as the working language of the authorities; In addition to the Amhara region, Amharic is also the working language in the ethnically and linguistically mixed regions of Gambela , Benishangul-Gumuz and in the region of the southern nations, nationalities and peoples . English is the language of instruction in secondary schools. Other languages ​​such as Sidama and Kafficho are used locally in primary schools.

In 2020 the cabinet decided to approve Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali and Afar as further official languages ​​at the federal level.

The languages ​​of Ethiopia belong to two large language families: Afro-Asian (formerly called Semito-Hamitic) and Nilo-Saharan . Almost 99% of this is Afro-Asian, which is represented in Ethiopia with its branches Semitic (predominantly in the northern half of the country), Omotic (in the southwest) and Cushitic (in the south, west and east). The Nilo-Saharan languages (in western Ethiopia, with the branches Nilotic , Surmish and Komuz ) only make up between 500,000 and 1 million speakers.

The Ethiopian Sign Language is by the American Sign Language affects the family French sign languages belongs. This sign language is mastered by an estimated 250,000 to 1 million people. It has been partially influenced by the Amharic language in terms of grammar and lexemes .

A.

  • Aari (Other names: Shankella, Ari, Ara, Aro, Aarai, "Shankilla", "Shankillinya", "Shankilligna")
    Dialects: Gozza, Bako (Baco), Biyo (Bio), Galila, Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido , Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo.
  • Afar (Other names: Afaraf, "Danakil", "Denkel")
    Dialects: Northern Afar, Central Afar, Aussa, Baadu (BaClassification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Saho-Afar)
  • Alaba (Other names: Allaaba, Halaba)
  • Old Ethiopian , today the liturgical language of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia
  • Amharic (other names: Amarəñña, Amarinya, Amarigna)
    Dialects (rough breakdown): Addis Ababa, Shewa, Wollo, Gojjam, Gondar
  • Anyua (Other names: Anuak, Anyuak, Anywa, Anywak, Yambo, Jambo, Yembo, Bar, Burjin, Miroy, Moojanga, Nuro)
    Dialects: Adoyo, Coro, Lul, Opëno.
  • Arbore (Other names: Arbora, Erbore, Irbore)
  • Argobba
    dialects: Aliyu Amba, Harar, Shonke
  • Arabic (religious language of the Muslims, also spoken by Arab immigrants, sometimes used in trade)

B.

  • Bambassi (Other names: Bambeshi, Siggoyo, Amam, Fadiro, Northern Mao, Didessa)
    Dialects: Kere, Bambassi
  • Basketo (Other names: Basketto, Baskatta, Mesketo)
  • Bayso (Other names: Baiso, Alkali)
  • Bench (Other names: Gimira, Ghimarra, Gimarra, Dizu)
    Dialects: Bench (Bencho, Benesho), Mer (Mieru), She (Sce, Kaba)
  • Berta (Other names: Beni Shangul, Bertha, Barta, Burta, Wetawit, Jebelawi)
    Dialects: Shuru, Bake, Undu, Mayu, Fadashi, Dabuso, Gobato.
  • Birale (Other names: Ongota , Birelle, Ifa'ongota, "Shanqilla"), dying out
  • Boro (Other names: Bworo, Shinasha, Scinacia)
    Dialects: Amuru, Wembera, Gamila, Guba.
  • Burji (Other names: Bambala, Bembala, Daashi)
  • Bussa (Other names: Dobase, D'oopace, D'opaasunte, Lohu, Mashile, Mashelle, Masholle, Mosiye, Musiye, Gobeze, Gowase, Goraze, Orase)

C.

D.

  • Dassanetch (Other names: Daasanach, Dasenech, Daasanech, Dathanaik, Dathanaic, Dathanik, Gheleba, Geleba, Geleb, Gelebinya, Gallab, Galuba, Gelab, Gelubba, Dama, Marille, Merile, Merille, Morille, Reshiat, Russia, "Shangilla" )
  • Dime (Other names: Dima)
  • Dirasha (Other names: Dhirasha, Diraasha, Dirayta, Gardulla, Ghidole, Gidole)
  • Dizi (Other names: Maji, Dizi-Maji, Sizi, Twoyu) Dialects: Related to Sheko, Nayi.

E.

  • English (second working language at federal level, language of instruction in secondary schools and universities)

G

  • Gafat (considered to be extinct)
  • Gamo-Gofa-Dawro
    dialects: Gamo (Gemu), Gofa (Goffa), Dawro (Dauro, Kullo, Cullo, Ometay).
  • Ganza (Other names: Ganzo, Koma)
  • Gawwada (Other names: Gauwada, Gawata, Kawwad'a, Kawwada)
    Dialects: Dihina (Tihina, Tihinte), Gergere (K'ark'arte), Gobeze, Gollango (Kollanko), Gorose (Gorrose, Korrose), Harso (Worase )
  • Gedeo (Other names: Geddeo, Deresa, Derasa, Darasa, Derasanya, Darassa)
  • Goggot (Other names: Gogot, Dobbi)
  • Gumer (Other names: Gumär, Gwämarä, Gomarä)
  • Gumuz (Other names: Bega-Tse, Sigumza, Gumuzinya, Gumis, Gombo, Mendeya, "Shankillinya", "Shankilligna", "Shanqilla", Debatsa, Debuga, Dehenda, Bega)
    Dialects: Guba, Wenbera, Sirba, Agalo, Yaso , Mandura, Dibate, Metemma.
  • Gyeto (Other name: Gyeta)

H

  • Hadiyya (Other names: Adiya, Adiye, Hadiya, Hadya, Adea, Hadia)
    Dialects: Leemo, Soro
  • Hamer-Banna (Other names: Hamar-Koke, Hammercoche, Amarcocche, Cocche, Beshada, Hamer, Hammer, Hamar, Amer, Amar, Ammar, Banna, Bana, Kara Kerre)
  • Harari (Other names: Aderi, Adare, Adere, Aderinya, Adarinnya, Hararri, Gey Sinan)
  • Hozo (Other names: Begi-Mao)

I.

  • Inor (Other names: Ennemor)
    Dialects: Endegeñ (Enner)
  • Italian (is still spoken by some Italians living in Ethiopia, and some older Ethiopians have some knowledge of the language)

K

  • Kachama-Ganjule (Other names: Gats'ame, Get'eme, Gatame)
    Dialects: Ganjule (Ganjawle), Ganta, Kachama
  • Kacipo-Balesi
    dialects: Balesi (Baale, Bale), Zilmamu (Silmamo, Zelmamu, Zulmamu, Tsilmano), Kacipo (Kachepo, Suri, Western Suri)
  • Kaffa (Other names: Kaficho, Kefa, Keffa, Kafa, Caffino, Manjo)
    Dialects: Kafa, Bosha (Garo)
  • Kambaata (Other names: Kambatta, Kambata, Kembata, Kemata, Kambara, Donga.
    Dialects: Tambaro, Timbaro (Timbara, Timbaaro))
  • Kara (Other names: Kerre, Cherre, Kere)
  • Kistane Language (Other designations: Soddo, Soddo Gurage, North Gurage)
    Dialects: Soddo (Aymallal, Aymellel, Kestane, Soddo language), Dobi (Dobbi, Gogot, Goggot)
  • Komo (Other names: Madiin, Koma, South Koma, Central Koma)
    Dialects: Koma of Begi, Koma of Daga
  • Konso (Other names: Komso, Conso, Gato, Af-Kareti, Karate, Kareti)
  • Koorete (Other names: Amarro, Amaarro, Badittu, Nuna, Koyra, Koore, Kwera)
  • Kunfel (Other names: Kunfäl, Kunfal, Kumfel, Kunefel)
  • Kwama (Other names: Takwama, Gwama, Goma, Gogwama, Koma of Asosa, North Koma, Nokanoka, Afan Mao, Amam, T'wa Kwama)
  • Kwegu (Other names: Koegu, Kwegi, Bacha, Menja, Nidi)
    Dialects: Yidinich (Yidinit, Yidi), Muguji

K '

  • K'abeena (Other names: Qebena (Qabena, Kebena))
  • K'imant (Other names: West-Agau, Kimanteney, Western Agaw)
    Dialects: Qimant (Kemant, Kimant, Kemanat, Kamant, Chemant, Qemant), Dembiya (Dembya, Dambya), Hwarasa (Qwara, Qwarina, "Kara") , Kayla, Semyen, Achpar, Kwolasa (Kwolacha).

L.

  • Libido (Other names: Maraqo, Marako)

M.

  • Majang (Other names: Mesengo, Masongo, Masango, Majanjiro, Tama, Ojanjur, Ajo, Ato Majang, Ato Majanger-Onk)
  • Me'en (Other names: Mekan, Mie'en, Mieken, Meqan, Men)
    Dialects: Bodi (Podi), Tishena (Teshina, Teshenna)
  • Melo (Other names: Malo)
  • Mesqan (Other names: Mäsqän, Masqan, Meskan)
  • Murle (Other names: Murele, Merule, Mourle, Murule, Beir, Ajibba)
    Dialects: Olam (Ngalam, Bangalam)
  • Mursi (Other names: Murzi, Murzu, Merdu, Meritu, Dama)

N

  • Nayi (Other names: Na'o, Nao)
  • Nuer (Other names: Naath)
    Dialects: Eastern Nuer (Ji, Kany, Jikany, Door, Abigar)
  • Nyangatom (Other names: Inyangatom, Donyiro, Dongiro, Idongiro)

O

  • Opuuo (Other names: Opo-Shita, Opo, Opuo, Cita, Ciita, Shita, Shiita, Ansita, Kina, Kwina, "Langa")
  • Oromo (Other names: Afan Oromo, Oromifa, Southern Oromo, "Galla", "Gallinya", "Galligna")
    Dialects: Borana (Boran, Borena), Arsi (Arussi, Arusi), Guji (Gujji, Jemjem), Kereyu, Salale (Selale), Gabra (Gabbra, Gebra)

S.

  • Saho (Other names: Sao, Shaho, Shoho, Shiho)
    Dialects: Irob.
  • Sebat Bet Gurage (Other names: Central West Gurage, West Gurage, Guragie, Gouraghie, Gurague)
    Dialects: Chaha (Cheha), Ezha (Eza, Izha), Gumer (Gʷəmarə, Gwemarra), Gura, Gyeto, Muher
  • Seze (Other names: Sezo)
  • Shabo (Other names: Shako, "Mekeyer", "Mikeyir", "Mikair")
  • Shekkacho (Other names: Mocha, Shakacho, Shekka)
  • Sheko (Other names: Shekko, Shekka, Tschako, Shako, Shak)
    Dialects: Dorsha, Bulla (Daan, Dan, Daanyir)
  • Sidama (Other names: Sidámo 'Afó, Sidamo, Sidaminya)
  • Silt'e (Other names: East Gurage, Selti, Silti)
    Dialects: Enneqor (Inneqor), Ulbarag (Urbareg), Wolane (Walane)
  • Somali (Other names: Standard Somali, Common Somali)
  • Surma (Other names: Suri, Shuri, Churi, Dhuri, Shuro, Eastern Suri)
    Dialects: Tirma (Tirima, Terema, Terna, Dirma, Cirma, Tirmaga, Tirmagi, Tid), Chai (Cai, Caci)

T

  • Tsamay (Other names: Ts'amay, S'amai, Tamaha, Tsamako, Tsamakko, Bago S'aamakk-Ulo, Kuile, Kule, Cule)

U

  • Uduk (Other names: Twampa, Kwanim Pa, Burun, Kebeirka, Othan, Korara, Kumus)

W.

  • Wolaytta (Other names: Wellamo, Welamo, Wollamo, Wallamo, Walamo, Ualamo, Uollamo, Wolaitta, Wolaita, Wolayta, Wolataita, Borodda, Uba, Ometo)
    Dialects: Zala. Dorze, Melo, Oyda may be dialects of Wolaytta or of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro

X

  • Xamtanga (Other names: Khamtanga, Simt'anga, Agawinya, Xamta, Xamir)

Y

  • Yem (Other names: Yemsa, "Janjerinya", "Janjor", "Yangaro", "Zinjero")
    Dialects: Fuga of Jimma, Toba

Z

  • Zay (Other names: Zway, Lak'i, Laqi, Gelilla)
  • Zayse-Zergulla (Other names: Zaysse)
    Dialects: Zergulla (Zergullinya), Zayse

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Basic information of the Ethiopian Parliament ( memento of the original from July 23, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on the regions, including their working languages @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ethiopar.net
  2. ^ Samuel Getachew: Ethiopia is adding four more official languages ​​to Amharic as political instability mounts. qz.com from March 3, 2020, accessed on March 4, 2020
  3. ↑ Ethnologue: eth

Web links

See also