Ethiopia’s Diverse Languages
While Amharic is the most widely known Ethiopian language, Ethiopians also speak a number of other languages in significant 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.
