Arabic in Ethiopia

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the remarkably multifaceted role of the Arabic language in Ethiopia. Arabic was important in Christian as well as in Islamic Ethiopia. Thus, many works of Christian religious literature were translated from Arabic into Ge'ez. Among Ethiopian Muslims Arabic has always been the language of religion, and as such was used in inscriptions and manuscripts for centuries. The language was and still is taught in several regions of the country where a rich tradition of manuscript culture emerged. The chapter also briefly describes the various uses of Arabic, its role as lingua franca, and as language of international correspondence in the 19th century. The linguistic influence of Arabic on Ethiopian languages is discussed, as well as the use of the Arabic script for writing literature in Ethiopian languages.