THE HISTORY OF SOMALI DIR CLAN: TAARIKHDA BEESHA DIREED DIR
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Ethiopian Languages - Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilo-Saharan Ethiopian
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
Ethiopian Ethnic Groups:
Afar
Alaba
Agew/Awingi
Agew/Kamyr
Amhara
Anyiwak
Arborie
Argoba
Ari
Badi
Basketo
Bench
Burji
Charra
Dasenech
Dime
Dizi
Dorzie
Fekashi
Felasha
Gamo
Gamili
Ganjule
Gebato
Gedeo
Gewada
Gidole
Goffo
Guagu
Gurage
Hadiyya
Hamer
Harari/Adare
Jebelawi
Kebena
Kechama
Keffa
Kemant
Kembata
Konta
Kulo
Kewama
Koma
Konso
Koyra
Kunama
Mabaan
Macha
Mareko
Mao
Me'en
Malie
Mello
Mer
Mesengo
Mossiya
Mursi
Nao
Nuer
Nyangatom
Oromo
Oyda
Saho
She
Sheko
Shinasha
Shita
Sidama
Soddo
Somali
Suri
Tigrayan
Timbaro
Tsamay
Welaytta
Werji
Weyito
Yemsa
Zeysie
Zergula
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