English in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper outlines the dimensions of English in special history, varied cultural traditions and independent development free from colonial setbacks. The observational survey mainly focuses on the historical background, linguistic and sociolinguistic profile of the users of English in the country. It also discusses with appropriate illustrations and examples certain marked features of English in Ethiopia. The purpose of this paper is to present before the casual reader and the specialized researchers the claim of Ethiopian English the Expanding Circle countries. Very shortly, English in Ethiopia is going to be "Ethiopian English" and a part of the World Englishes paradigm, a shift from the monolingual paradigms to paradigms relevant and appropriate to multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural Ethiopian society. Then the findings of this paper will be seminal in its own way.