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