The Languages of Ethiopia

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Ethiopia's Diverse Languages

While Amharic is the most widely known Ethiopian language, Ethiopians also speak a number of other languages in signficant numbers. Approximately 33 % of the population of Ethiopian speak Amharic natively. Yet another 32% speak Oromo as their native language.

In addition to these two principal languages, there are a number of smaller languages which are spoken in various areas of Northern and Southern Ethiopia. In the north, Tigrinya and Tigre are spoken. Both of these languages are also spoken in neighboring Eritrea.

In the south, where most Amharic speakers reside, various other languages including the Argobba language, the Harari language, and various
East Gurage languages are also spoken.

In the Outhersouth regions various languages such as the Soddo, Muher, Goggot, various West Gurage languages, Inor, Mesqan, Chaha, Ezha, Gumer, Gura, Gyeto, Indegen, and Iner are spoken.

The diversity of languages spoken in Ethiopia doesn't end there however. Up to 84 languages are spoken throughout Ethiopia in varying numbers including various Cushitic, Omotic, and Nio-Saharan languages are spoken.

Top Reason to Visit Ethiopia

Ethiopian LanguagesBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dorte_Marine]Dorte Marine

Easy to reach: There are easy flights available to and from Bole International Airport connecting it to the rest of Ethiopia and other countries of Africa, North America and Asia.

Accommodation: Being one of the oldest countries of this world, Ethiopia is a popular tourist destination. There are many luxury hotels and resorts, as well as budget hotels which are comfortable and hospitable.

Nightlife: Ethiopia enjoys a distinguished nightlife. Traditional music is still popular and sung together by male and female singers at local bars and clubs.

Beautiful Landscape: There is abundant to please the eye in the rural and urban Ethiopia. From stylish and urban metropolis to rural landscapes, this country has most captivating natural environments in the whole Africa and charms you through all the way.

Shopping: Ethiopia offers a great variety of duty free shopping. There are many open markets to stylish boutiques. Huge collection of ethnic and Italian designed gold and silver are available at competitive prices.

Golf: There are many nice luxury hotels with big golf courses which are renowned in the whole world. A paradise for Golf lovers, one must enjoy the luscious lawns.

Spa: One of the lesser known facts about Ethiopia is its spa culture. Boston Day Spa is a beautifully crafted oasis where the human body is exquisitely cared for. An out of the world experience the spas help you rejuvenate your sense, and help you come in contact with your inner beauty and experience a physical and mental renewal.

Wildlife: Protecting nation's flora and fauna, there are numerous parks and wildlife reserves, which you can visit and see the animals in their natural habitats. There are lions, giraffes, zebras and many other animals that roam the wilds of Africa. The rare Walia Ibex and the shy wild ass are numbered among the 105 species of mammals which have been recorded in Ethiopia.

Sports: There is a lot of scope for adventure sports such as swimming; trekking, camping Ethiopians are famous athletes and Olympic winners.

Cuisines: All kinds of mouth-watering cuisine are available to please all taste and pockets.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Reason-to-Visit-Ethiopia&id=3095495] Top Reason to Visit Ethiopia

Amharic Language Learning Resources

Talk Now Amharic Software
Talk Now! is the world's best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than eight million people to date. It's ideal for travelers, holiday makers, business people, school children, students and families. Anyone beginning to learn Amharic will find the disc indispensable.
Digital FSI Amharic Level 1 & 2 CD ROM Course
The Foreign Service Institute has developed a series of language-learning courses for use by the state department and other government agencies. These courses have been developed, tested by use, and improved over a period of many years.
A Modern Dictionary of the Amharic Language
The new edition has been expanded with over 660 pages of definitions making this dictionary the most comprehensive on the Amharic language. True to form, the Simon Wallenberg's editors have carried forward Endale Zenawi's work and have lived up to their tradition of creating some of the most widely used and respected dictionaries and reference books in the world.

Oromo Language Videos

Ethiopia's 2nd Most Commonly Spoken Language

Oromo Language Video with English Subtitles, Center for African Studies UC Berkeley
by CASHOA | video info

0 ratings | 384 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Amharic Language Videos

Learn Amharic - Basic Amharic Words 1
by LOJSociety | video info

178 ratings | 131,519 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Tigrinya Language Videos

Eritrea - Italian man speaking Tigrinya from Asmara
by squeky11 | video info

88 ratings | 85,947 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Tigrinya Language Spotlight

Tigrinya Grammar

Amazon Price: $170.50 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $16.95

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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Oromo People and Language Spotlight

The Oromo of Ethiopia: A History, 1570-1860

Amazon Price: $12.15 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $19.95

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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Amharic Language Spotlight

Our First Amharic Words

Amazon Price: $166.46 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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Tigre Language Spotlight

Vocabulary of the Tigre language: written down by Moritz von Beurmann, published with a grammatical sketch by Dr. A. Merx.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $14.99

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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The Language Review

As students of foreign languages and fans of foreign culture and travel we understand the challenges, joys, and struggles in learning a foreign language. We intend to provide free foreign language resources, links, product reviews, recommendations, free courses, and more.
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Resources for Ethiopian Languages

Amharic Language Learning
For anyone interested in learning Amharic, you have probably already realized that resources are limited. The challenges mount in realizing that to reach true proficiency you need to learn to speak and read Amharic.
Amharic Language
Our lens is dedicated to providing some basic facts about the Amharic language and some recommended resources for learning Amharic.
Amharic MP3s
MP3s allow us to listen on the move without worrying about CDs and the like. They also allow us to learn a language without having to take bulky CD cases with this.
Ethiopian Language
The number of native speakers of Amharic together with the speakers of the other Semitic languages spoken in Ethiopia (such as Tigriniya, Tigre, Harari, Gurage and others) is less than one half the total population of the Empire.

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