Languages
Eritrea's population comprises nine ethnic groups, most of whom speak languages from the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The Semitic languages in Eritrea are Tigre, Tigrinya, the newly-recognized Dahlik, and Arabic (spoken natively by the Rashaida Arabs).
Other Afro-Asiatic languages belonging to the Cushitic branch are also widely spoken in the country. The latter include Afar, Beja, Blin and Saho.
In addition, languages belonging to the Nilo-Saharan language family (Kunama and Nara) are spoken as a mother tongue by the Kunama and Nara Nilotic ethnic minorities that live in the north and northwestern part of the country.
Italian and English are also spoken as working languages, and are used in secondary and university education.
| Number | Gender | Near | Far |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Masculine | እዚ ǝzi ... (እዚ ǝzi) | እቲ ǝti ... (እቲ ǝti) |
| Feminine | እዛ ǝza ... (እዚኣ ǝzi’a) | እታ ǝta ... (እቲኣ ǝti’a) | |
| Plural | Masculine | እዞመ ǝzom ... (እዚኦም ǝzi’om) | እቶም ǝtom ... (እቲኦም ǝti’om) |
| Feminine | እዘን ǝzän ... (እዚኤን ǝzi’en) | እተነ ǝtän ... (እቲኤን ǝti’en) |
Read more about this topic: Demographics Of Eritrea
Famous quotes containing the word languages:
“People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.”
—Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978)
“I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.”
—J.G. (James Graham)