Amharic Language: Resources and Basic Facts
Our lens is dedicated to providing some basic facts about the Amharic language and some recommended resources for learning Amharic.
Learning Amharic can be a challenge for a variety of reasons. Finding quality programs to help in your quest can be just as challenging. Take advantage of the resources we've researched and start learning the Amharic language today.
The Amharic Language
The Amharic language is spoken by the Amhara, an ethnic group in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The Amhara comprise approximately 30 percent of the population, with about 27 million speakers. An additional 7-15 million people speak it as a second language. It has been the working language of government institutions, the military, and of the Ethiopic Orthodox church.
In addition to Ethiopia, Amharic is also the language of some 2.7 million emigrants. The largest population of émigrés live in Egypt, Israel, and Sweden. Increasing numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans have also emigrated to the United States. The Amharic language is also spoken in Eritrea by some Eritreans as a vestige of past years when Eritrea was part of the Ethiopia.
In addition to Ethiopia, Amharic is also the language of some 2.7 million emigrants. The largest population of émigrés live in Egypt, Israel, and Sweden. Increasing numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans have also emigrated to the United States. The Amharic language is also spoken in Eritrea by some Eritreans as a vestige of past years when Eritrea was part of the Ethiopia.
A Little Bit of Ethiopia
AFN's Master Sgt. Ch...
AFN's Master Sgt. Ch...
Chanukah Celebration...
Yeeeeessssss mi laii...
Day 133 - Lalibela -...
Day 133 - Lalibela -...
Chanukah Celebration...
Chanukah Celebration...
Chanukah Celebration...
Student Union Office...
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Amharic as a Semitic Language
Semitic languages, of which Amharic is one, represent a family of languages spoken by more than 300 million people across the Middle East, North Africa, and the horn of Africa. After Arabic, Amharic is the second most spoken Semitic language in the world.
According to Lionel Bender & Hailu Fulass, Semitic languages can be divided into two categories. The two primary categories are Western Semitic and Eastern Semitic. Western Semitic can be further divided into Southern and Central families and it is from the Southerm Semitic branch, that Arabic and Amharic languages are derived.
According to Lionel Bender & Hailu Fulass, Semitic languages can be divided into two categories. The two primary categories are Western Semitic and Eastern Semitic. Western Semitic can be further divided into Southern and Central families and it is from the Southerm Semitic branch, that Arabic and Amharic languages are derived.
A Little Bit of Amharic Grammar
Amharic is written in the Ge'ez alphabet. As in many languages, there is no agreed upon manner of transliterating the Amharic language into Roman characters.
As in other Ethiopian Semitic languages, germination (i.e. occurs when a spoken consonant is pronounced for an audibly longer period of time than a short consonant). is contrastive in Amharic. Therefore, consonant length can distinguish words from one another. Germination is not indicated in Amharic writing orthography, but with relatively few pairs of words or phrases, which differ in only one phonological element, such as these, Amharic readers seem not to find this to be a problem.
There are a limited number of materials available for learning the Amharic language. You may want to also check out Talk Now Amharic.
As in other Ethiopian Semitic languages, germination (i.e. occurs when a spoken consonant is pronounced for an audibly longer period of time than a short consonant). is contrastive in Amharic. Therefore, consonant length can distinguish words from one another. Germination is not indicated in Amharic writing orthography, but with relatively few pairs of words or phrases, which differ in only one phonological element, such as these, Amharic readers seem not to find this to be a problem.
There are a limited number of materials available for learning the Amharic language. You may want to also check out Talk Now Amharic.
Ethiopia: The Land of Amharic
AFN's Master Sgt. Ch...
AFN's Master Sgt. Ch...
Famille Gingold-10
Looking Up
Happy New Year
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New Del.icio.us bookmarks on Ethiopia
Recommended Resources for Learning Amharic
The products below are highly recommended products for learning Amharic.
- Talk Now Beginner Amharic Software
- Designed for beginners who want to start learning a new language as soon as possible. Talk Now! is the course to get you started.
- Foreign Service Institute Amharic Course
- The most comprehensive course for learning Amharic available.
- Amharic Language
- This just released website will provide the ultimate collection of articles, free resources, product reviews for Amharic and 100 other languages.
- Amharic Language Resources
- The Language Chronicle is the ultimate resource for all things related to foreign languages, including product reviews, history of languages, trends, and more.
Addis Ababa
Amharic Pepsi
The Lion of Ethiopia
Feed the Hyenas, Tup...
Is There a Crocodile...
Morning in Addis
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Popular News and Blogs on Amharic
Popular News and Blogs on Amharic
Blog Posts from Google on Amharic
- Ethiopia: Teddy Afro wows England | ECADF Ethiopian Amharic News ...
- Artist Tewedros Kashun , also known as Teddy Afro, one of Ethiopia's most popular and talented singe...
- Ethiopia: Seye Abraha | ECADF Ethiopian Amharic News and Views
- Seye Abraha is a former rebel leader who became Ethiopian defense minister for four years from 1991...
- Ethiopia: Latest Amharic News from Addis Ababa | ECADF Ethiopian ...
- Latest Amharic News from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Reporter: Bilal Al Habesh (Ecadforum.com reporter) Ba...
- Impact of personality on Marriage relationship (Amharic)
- Impact of personality on Marriage relationship (Amharic) · Impact-Personality-on-Marriage-Relations...
New Link List
- Talk Now Amharic
- Designed for beginners who want to start learning Amharic as soon as possible. Whether on business, vacation, or perhaps meeting a foreign visitor, Talk Now! is the disc to get you started.
- Learning Amharic
- The most extensive text and audio course available for learning Amharic.
Amharic Language Related Videos
Check out these two Amharic Language music videos and another commenting on the distribution of Semitic languages throughout Africa and the Middle East.
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Great Stuff on Amazon for Learning Amharic
Colloquial Amharic: The Complete Course for Beginners (Colloquial Series (Book Only))
Amazon Price: $25.86 (as of 12/30/2009) 
Learning to Speak English, Program 2 (Amharic)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Learning to Speak English (Amharic) Program One
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
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- Marie-Elodie Marie-Elodie Nov 26, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
- very nice and informative
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- Saurabh Saurabh Sep 18, 2007 @ 6:21 am
- I am an Indian and going to be posted in Addis Ababa, can anybody help me or guide me in learning ameharic. Please contact on saurbhmogli@yahoo.com
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- JLumbroso JLumbroso Sep 11, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
- Hi, my name is Jacob Lumbroso and I love languages. I write for the UtimateLanguageStore.com
Various Informational Websites
We like highlighting a variety of simple informational sites. The may not be connected to Amharic, but quality sites still deserve attention!
- Electronic Air Purifier
- This website gives you valuable information on Electronic Air Purifiers including reviews of the top manufacturers available.
- Cheap Electric Guitar Shop
- This website provides best information on cheap electric guitars and gives you advice on saving money in your musical quest.
- Martiall Arts Belts
- This website gives you the best information on martial arts resources, supplies, books, and training equipment.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Information
- This website is dedicated to providing bankruptcy information on the various bankruptcy filing options available.
by JLumbroso
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