Language is a powerful tool that shapes culture, identity, and communication. As the African Union (AU) strives to foster unity, collaboration, and development across the continent, the selection of official languages plays a crucial role.
In this article, we will explore the significance of Amharic, the working language of Ethiopia, and why it should be considered as one of the African Union languages with a gentle reminder that the OAU charter was initially signed in four languages, including Amharic.
Amharic boasts a rich historical significance for the continent. It is one of the written languages in Africa with a rich history of being an oldest official state language of the continent. It has served as the official language of Ethiopia for so many years and has played a pivotal role in the country’s cultural, political, and religious development. By including Amharic as an African Union language, the AU would honor and recognize the historical contributions of Ethiopia and its people to the continent’s heritage.
Amharic is the second most widely spoken Semitic language in the world after Arabic, with over 100 million speakers. It is the Ethiopian federal government’s working language it is the only language in Ethiopia that serves as an official language of different regional states in the country. As a result, Amharic is serving as the Lingua Franca of Ethiopia since it’s a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.
It is spoken not only in Ethiopia but also by diaspora and other communities in various countries, including Eritrea, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Djibouti, Sudan and even the UAE. It is also widely spoken in Israel as a result of the Ethio-Jews community and becomes the leading African language to be utilized in Israel. In the United States, Amharic leads the list of most commonly spoken African language in eight states of the USA followed by Kru, Yoruba and Ibo. In Washington DC, Amharic became one of the six non-English languages in the Language Access Act of 2004, which allows government services and education in Amharic.
Furthermore, Amharic is considered a respected language by the Rastafarian believers and is widely used among its followers worldwide. Its widespread usage and linguistic diversity makes it a valuable asset for the African Union. By adopting Amharic as an official language, the AU would embrace and celebrate linguistic diversity while promoting inclusivity among member states.
Amharic is a language that ignites the pan-African struggle. It is a language through which King Menelik II declared a self-defense war on colonialism in 1896. Ethiopia, with its long and non-colonized history, has always emerged as a key player in African politics and diplomacy. Hence, Haile Selassie I went to Geneva and stand alone to make his voice heard on the podium of the League of Nations on 30 June 1936. He was calling in Amharic language for justice and assistance against fascism. Thus, Amharic language serves the pan-African concept by demanding justice and renaissance in the room of colonizers.
Language serves as a vessel for cultural expression and preservation. Amharic is deeply intertwined with Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, including its literature, poetry, music, and religious traditions. By recognizing Amharic as an African Union language, the AU would contribute to the preservation and promotion of Africa’s cultural treasures. In addition, it would provide a platform for sharing Ethiopian literature, history, and artistic works with the broader African community, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Moreover, it is a working language with its own alphabet for more than 10% of the continents population and to the half of the horn of Africa since Ethiopia has more than one hundred twenty million people.
The inclusion of Amharic as an African Union language would yield economic advantages and enhance regional integration. Ethiopians are major players in regional trade and investment across Africa. By adopting Amharic, the AU would facilitate smoother business interactions, attract foreign investment, and promote economic integration among member states. Moreover, it would streamline communication within the African Union and help bridge linguistic barriers, thus facilitating efficient decision-making and cooperation in various sectors, including trade, finance, and infrastructure development.
Amharic, with its rich historical significance, linguistic diversity, widespread usage, and cultural importance, is a language that deserves consideration as one of the African Union languages. By officially recognizing Amharic, the AU would honor Ethiopia’s contributions to the continent, promote linguistic diversity, enhance diplomatic efforts, preserve cultural heritage, and foster economic integration. Embracing Amharic as an African Union language would strengthen unity and cooperation, enabling the AU to better serve the diverse needs and aspirations of member states while fostering a stronger sense of pan-African identity.
By Metassebia Hailu
Source: https://furtherafrica.com/2024/02/16/the-importance-of-amharic-as-an-african-union-language/
