Ethiopian Language
Ranked #525 in Culture & Society, #12,747 overall
Ethiopia- the land of many people
(The word in the picture is the title of a famous book, scroll down to find out which one!)
Amharic
Amharic is an Afro-Asian language, from the Semitic branch. (Related to Arabic and Hebrew) It is derived from the ancient language of Geez, which is still used by the Orthodox church. Amharic is spoken as first language by about 25 million people. But millions of people speak it as a second language (or third).
The language is called A-MA-RI-NYA
Amharic letters by abeshaw
Amharic Language
Amharic Language System
It looks very difficult to learn Amharic, but it is not that bad. The alphabet, or fidel, has a system. Every letter has seven variations. So if you learn the first one, the rest is easier. For example; le, lu, li, la, lie, l, lo / se, su, si, sa, sie, s, so / me, mu, mi, and so forth. Of course, learning a language is always hard work, but don't let the alphabet put you off from learning Amharic.This famous drink looks like this: CO-CA CO-LA
(Picture Credit)
Double Consonants in Amharic
Amharic Transliteration
It can be difficult when the sound is like a double consonant, because they don't exist in Amharic. For example, "solution" and "entire". One is pronounced mela, the other mella, but they are written in the same way (me-la). You have to see the context to know the difference.Since there is no norm decided, when Amharic is transliterated into Latin alphabet, there are many variations. The meaning is the same anyway.
(Picture shows a beer label in Amharic/English.)
The picture in the introduction was the title of Little Red Riding Hood!
Tigrinya
Some write it Tigrigna
Tigrinya is closely related to Amharic, a Semitic language also derived from Geez. It is spoken by appr. 7 million people in the northern parts of Ethiopia, especially the province of Tigray. It is also one of the languages of neighboring Eritrea.
The alphabet is basically the same as Amharic, with a few variations. The pronunciation, however, is very different. Tigrinya sounds a bit like Arabic, with guttural sounds. These are very difficult for a foreigner to master. The Ethiopian prime minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, is from Tigray.
(Picture Credit)
START LEARNING TIGRINYA HERE
Ethiopia in Africa
The Horn of Africa
Ethiopia is found in East Africa. The province of Tigray is by the border to Eritrea, the capital is called Mekele.
Get Ethiopia Map Here
Tigrinya Song
Ethiopian Music
Oromo -Oromiffa
This is one of the largest language-groups in Ethiopia, spoken by more than 25 million people. The Oromo language used to be written in the same alphabet as Amharic, but this was changed in 1991. The Latin-lettered Qubee is now the official alphabet of Oromo. The language is of Afro-Asiatic origin, but from the Cushitic branch. It is also spoken by people in Kenya and Somalia.
*Here you can see different words translated into OROMO.*
This is a typical picture- the sign for a coffe house written in two languages, Amharic and Oromiffa. Buna means coffee in both languages.
(Picture Credit)
Oromo Liberation
Guraginya
The Language of the Gurages
The Gurages are a people which can be found in many different parts of Ethiopia. They speak some six languages, and a number of dialects. You can read more about the Gurages here:
The Gurage People of Ethiopia.
The main language, Guraginya, is a Semitic language, just like Amharic and Tigrinya. It has its origins in the Geez language, and use the same alphabet as Amharic. One can easily note the influence from other languages, most notably from the Cushite neighboring people.
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( The staple food of the Gurages is a bread made from the root of the Enset tree, (Picture Credit))
Listen to guraginya here
What about you?
If your answer was yes-
Ethiopian Language
Ethiopian people
- Amharic Dictionary
- Very good online dictionary. Just type in the English word and you get the Amharic equivalent, as well as related words.
- Ethiopian American Kids Community
- An organization to join Americans, Ethiopians and families with children adopted from Ethiopia. They arrange heritage camps, among other things.
- Road to Ethiopia
- Interesting blog by a mother with two Ethiopian adopted children. Lots of information and impressions of the country.
- Kwintessential
- Some useful phrases in Amharic.
- Learning Amharic
- Some good tips on learning Amharic, as well as useful, printable phrases.
Calendar
My own pictures from Beautiful Ethiopia
Beautiful Ethiopia by Mujjen
Browse Ethiopia Calendars
Learning Amharic?
Do you like different languages? Have you adopted a child from Ethiopia? Or are you perhaps moving there? All of these are good reasons for learning Amharic! In Ethiopia you can get around with English, but many do not speak it so well.There are a few courses available in the market. If you live in Ethiopia it is easier, of course. There are courses tailor-made for teaching foreigners the language.
Elsewhere there is not a lot of choice, but at least there are some courses. Some are simple, focusing on learning a few useful words and phrases for travelling or adoption. Others go more into depth, teaching also the fidel-alphabet.
The Foreign Service Institute's Amharic course is available for free download at their own site , FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE You can also get an Amharic course from BERLITZ
Buy picture of Addis Ababa at AllPosters.com
Learn Amharic, also for children
Talk Now! Amharic
Amazon Price: $24.88 (as of 05/31/2012)
Other Amharic Language Courses
Do you have Ethiopian friends?
Ethiopian Names
If you have Ethiopian friends, you can start learning the language from their names! All names have a meaning in Amharic, and parents think well before naming a child. Some examples:Abeba-Flower
Genet-Paradise
Etenesh-You are my sister! (many get this name when they are the first girl, or if the mother is very young when giving birth. There are many variations on this one!)
Fiqir-Love
Haileselassie-The power of trinity
Hiwot-Life
Wubayehu-I saw something beautiful (names are usually given after the baby is born, it can take some time actually before they decide!)
(Picture by TehetenaG)
ABUGIDA
Teddy Afro
Teddy Afro has recently been released from prison, where he served time for killing somebody in a car accident. This sentence, however, has been highly criticized. Many claim it was a setup because of his political involvement and songs.
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Do you speak another language? Was it difficult to learn?
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Shinkarom
May 18, 2012 @ 10:54 am | delete
- Very nice lens. If I knew as much about Amharic as you...
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FreshStart7
May 14, 2012 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- Nice lens. I actually got onto it from your quizz.
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pawpaw911
Apr 10, 2012 @ 8:46 am | delete
- Wow, I haven't even mastered English yet.
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Tipi
Apr 9, 2012 @ 7:48 pm | delete
- It is my pleasure to return to this beautifully crafted article on Ethiopian language with an angel blessing...*
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WitStop
Mar 1, 2012 @ 4:04 pm | delete
- Interestingly, while I in Ethiopia to teach at Addis Ababa University, I knew very little Amharic; just enough to get around the beautiful country. Fortunately, my students were required to know English.
I worshiped with an Ethiopian group of Christians who all spoke and sang in Amharic, but they also knew American Sign Language (ASL), of all things because of the school for the Deaf that was co-located on the grounds of the church building. I was able to understand and communicate with the entire congregation in ASL (my wife is an ASL interpreter), so it worked out very well.
I was told that there are about 40 different versions of sign language in use by Ethiopians who are deaf, so they (I don't exactly know who "they" are) are trying to adopt ASL as the "official" sign language of Ethiopia and are even teaching it at Addis Ababa University now.
Beautiful country and beautiful people! I want to return as soon as possible!
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Wordwinder
Feb 11, 2012 @ 10:11 am | delete
- We have as many spoken languages in India too, but that is across a population of 1.2 billion. However, the challenges posed by such a situation would I suppose, be similar in both contries. Very well-made lens.
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Pangionedevelopers
Feb 7, 2012 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- hello
here's 5 like's
want to be like partner's?
show me some "LIKE"
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mistre,teklesadik,teferi
May 22, 2012 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- hi we can chat i need a partner to so this is my email mistre.misty@hotmail.com
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MareeT
Feb 2, 2012 @ 12:40 pm | delete
- I have never met anyone from Ethiopia and it would be interesting to hear them speak.
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intermarks
Jan 31, 2012 @ 3:13 am | delete
- Very interesting lens, I have never heard of a language call Amharic before. But I am happy to know the existing of another language.
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Ethiopia on Amazon
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A lot about different cultures!
Alvin and Friends in Amharic
by Mujjen
For many years I have been involved with people from the horn of Africa, they taught me Amharic and cooking! Speaking the language helped me get close... more »
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Learn Amharic, also for children!
Talk Now! Amharic
Amazon Price: $24.88 (as of 05/31/2012)
A CD-ROM series for beginners, used by millions of people. Includes a picture dictionary, study plan and quizzes! This language course is great for both children and adults. You can record your own words and compare to that of a native speaker, take quizzes and play games. Makes learning a lot easier!
Why not pick up a few words?
Ethiopian Amharic (Lonely Planet Phrasebooks)
Amazon Price: $4.25 (as of 05/31/2012)
Ethiopian Adoption
Yafi's Family: an Ethiopian boy's journey of love, loss and adoption
Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 05/31/2012)
