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Centre for Applied Linguistics Course MA ELT specialism in ICT and Multimedia

Student number: 1163808

Word Count: 1,995

Assignment number and Questions

The Roles, Status and Attitude towards Ethiopian Languages and English in Ethiopia

Due Date: 12 noon on Tuesday, October 20, 2011

Submission Date: Wednesday, 20 October, 2011

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Introduction Ethiopian is a multilingual and multinational country with more than 80 ethnic groups, more than 90 languages and 200 dialects (Paul 2009), (McNab 1990)(Getachew 2006). This has similar to most east African countries (Platt, Weber and Lian1984). The federal governmental system constituted nine regions and two city administrations. The federal regions are divided predominantly based on ethnic background (Alemu and Teklesilassie 2006) that to some extent considered the languages spoken in the regions. The working language for the federal government of Ethiopia is Amharic (Ethiopian Constitution Article 5 Number 2). The five regional governments have indorsed their own regional languages for official purpose (Ethiopian constitution Article 5 number 3). The other three regional states and the two city administrations use Amharic as an official regional language. The Amhara region by default and by its constitution use Amharic as an official regional language. This article is meant to address the roles status and attitude towards Ethiopian languages and English. Status of Ethiopian Languages As mentioned above though several languages are used in Ethiopia, Amharic has been a dominant language in the government system for very long time. From the time of Emperor Tewodros II (Getachew 2006) the imperial governments used to consider Amharic a means for creating national unity (Monika 1964), (Jervis 1965). At the early period of the socialist government there was strictly Amharic-only policy (McNab 1990). This however was reverted by the government itself and the role of nations languages were further constitutionally acknowledged by the federal government (the federal constitution of Ethiopia Article 5). Therefore, one can say that there is a boost in the status of Ethiopian languages now. The boost in the status of Ethiopian languages can be seen from three perspectives. First, it is now common for people to use local languages in with people of the same ethnic group. As (Platt, Weber and Lian 1984) mentioned this is the identity developed among the speaker. This indicates the social status given to the the languages. (Lahra 2002) briefly explained the situation as that language is being seen as an Identity in Ethiopia. Second, among other things it is again common to see on job advertisements stating that the knowledge of a local language has an advantage for candidates. This adds to the status of the local languages for economic reason. Still, the official roles that some regional languages have add value towards their status. This included the use of languages for judicial purpose (Getachew 2006). Most of all, the constitution of Ethiopian federal democratic
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republic government (EFDR) declared that nations and nationalities in the country have the right to nurture, and develop their languages and culture (Ethiopian Constitution Article 39 Number 2) The Roles of Ethiopian Languages The boost in the status of Ethiopian languages has also brought similar effect on their role and vice versa. These roles can also be seen from, educational, media and Political perspectives. quoting Ayalew 1999 by Alemu and Teklesilassie 2006 stated that the educational role of the Ethiopian languages is widely acknowledged by using about fifteen languages implementing literacy campaign that took place nationwide from 1974-1983. Following this, the education and training policy (1994) of the transitional government of Ethiopia clearly stipulated the use of Ethiopian languages and English in the Ethiopian education system. Primary education (grade 1-8) is given using the local languages that are to be determined by the constitutions of the regional states of the federal government. According to Alemu and Teklesilassie 2006 there were about 20 local languages used for this purpose throughout the country by 2001 even before the regulation is officially announced. The constitution further declares that education at levels secondary and above is given using English. Amharic and English however are given at all levels in primary and secondary education for their national and international communication purposes respectively. Following the change in the government in 1991, free press and private media a have been started to function. However, most of them were printing media (Ethiopian Broadcast Agency (EBA) 2009). According (EBA) 2009, there are 9 Public owned, 5 Commercial/private, 8 Community owned broadcast companies. Amharic was a predominant language for the media. According to the same source from 34 newspapers and 19 magazines, 26 newspapers and almost all the magazines were in Amharic. There are some magazines produced in Amharic and translated into English on the other side. There is a very slow pace in the development of electronic media in the country. It is only

quite recently that private owned FM radio stations are opened. The dominant electronic media is the Ethiopian Television and Radio Agency. The agency is now entertaining programs in local languages on it Television programs. There are regions that however went far more in establishing radio stations. The recent development with the Oromiya Mass Media Agency is the second in its type next to the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency in Television transmission mainly in Oromo and other languages. The oldest and government owned Ethiopian radio and Television Agency (ERTA) broadcasts using languages such as Amharic, Oromifa, English, Tigrigna, Somaligna, Afar, Arabic, French, Harari languages. Ibid

With regard to the official role of Ethiopian languages Amharic has yet to serve a lot for its existence and distribution. Similar to the case in some east African countries as mentioned (Jenkins 2009) and (Platt, Weber and Lian 1984) Amharic is serving as a lingua franca in Ethiopia. Including the federal government and the Amhara region, three regions and two city administrations use Amharic as an official language. The other five regions adopted their official languages. These regions predominantly accommodate population speaking similar language. Though not officially claimed English is often used as medium of international relation. Status of English in Ethiopia The issue of English language teaching and use in Ethiopia has been very different involving different kinds of perceptions and practices. With the emergence of modern education at the break of the previous century in Ethiopia, French was a media of instruction and students were children s of the nobility. This was mainly the result of previous diplomatic ties between the two countries (Bloor and
Wondwosen 1996). However, English language took the place of French with the increase in the

influence of British in the region of the horn of Africa and the world. Following the coming of America as a superpower of the world the education system of Ethiopia has enjoyed the advice and assistance of the Americas. This created the opportunity for the English language to remain influential in Ethiopia. This however is mainly in the education sector. In the public and political sector Amharic continues to be a dominant language. One can associate the increase in English language schools in Ethiopia with the status that the language is gaining in the country. The Roles of English in Ethiopia With the status that English language is securing in Ethiopia, it is also serving in some important roles. English has been a medium of instruction for secondary and above educational levels (MOE 1994). It is mainly acknowledged for its role for education at postgraduate and research studies in the Universities of the country. In the mean time English language is also taught in all grades of schooling beginning form the preschools. At university level there are some courses such as academic writing and reading skills courses given to improve English language skills of students. I presume that these are to enable students of universities to be able to read text and reference materials in English and produce their assignments and work on their examinations. English has been a language of mass media for a long time. However, it has been limited to News broadcast on government owned television and radio stations. Its role has come to improve from time to time in the sector. According to the (EBA 2009) there are about 8 newspapers being
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published in English. This indicates that the role of English in the printing media is also similar to the electronic media mentioned. Very recently the writer of this article witnessed English medium mass media production being introduced. The only electronic media that use only foreign languages is Afro FM 105.3. Afro FM 105.3 uses English, French Arabic languages (EBA 2009). People attitude towards Ethiopian languages The attitude of the people for Ethiopian languages has been changing through time. The writer of this article used to observe growing confidence among in the use of Ethiopian languages. This is often associated to the official practice of the languages in education, media, and official purposes. The familiarity and appreciation of music produced by Ethiopian languages is getting common among people who does not speak the languages. People s attitude towards English in Ethiopia Generally, I can say that the attitude of people in Ethiopia towards English language is positive. This however is based on some basic economical and political reasons. As Michael (1995) mentioned, following the recognition of ethnic languages as medium of instructions, Amharic is left to compete with other languages. This gave a chance for English to be a neutral language and entitled to be the medium of instruction for educational levels at secondary and above. Furthermore, in the time of globalization English is demonstrating its relevance for citizens to take part in a global system. As a result, it is being witnessed that there are large number of citizens showing interest towards learning English language in their own time. It is still evident that people appreciate individuals with better command of English language. Conclusion The higher status that Ethiopian languages enjoying has come through their increasing role in official, economic and social aspects. Therefore, one can easily see how roles of the languages contributed for their better status in the country and vice versa. The higher status of English in Ethiopian however has a different reason. English is approached for its neutrality in Ethiopian politics and economic benefit associated to it. As a result it has now big role in the education, media and international relations in Ethiopia. When it comes to attitude, Ethiopian languages are getting better attitude for the reason that they are serving their social and cultural roles. As mentioned above music in local languages or rhythm of local languages or combination of local languages are now getting the attention of many Ethiopians.
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The positive attitude towards English language seems for economic and other related successes (Michael 1995).

References Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/. Thomas Bloor & Wondwosen Tamrat (1996): Issues in Ethiopian Language Policy and Education, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 17:5, 321-338 Smith. L, 2004 Journal of Development Society, The politics of Contemporary Language Policy in Ethiopia 24, 207 online version http://www.sagepublications.com The constitution of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 1994 The New Education and Training Policy of Ethiopia 1994 Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority. Updated September 2009 Copyright 2009

http://www.eba.gov.et/web/data/Broadcast/main.htm McNab, C. (1990). Language Policy and Language practice: Implementing Multilingual Literacy Education in Ethiopia, African Studies Review. Vol 33, No. 3. www.jestore.org/stable/524187 Hehoe, M. (1964). Teaching of English as a third language in Ethiopia ELT J (1964) XVIII(3): 125129 doi:10.1093/elt/XVIII.3.125

Jarvis, R (1965), Development in Englaih language Teaching in Ethiopia. ELT J (1969) XXIII(2):
151-156 doi:10.1093/elt/XXIII.2.151

Alemu, D. and Tekelesilassie, A (2006). Instructional Language Policy in Ethiopia: Motivated by Politics or the Educational needs of Children: Planning and Changing Vol 37 N0 3&4

Michael, D. (1995). English in Ethiopia, English Today Volume 11 Issues 22, Cambridge University Press, 1995 http://journals.cambridge.org Getachew, A. 2006. Language Policy in Ethiopia: History and Current Trend . Ethiopian journal of Education Vol. 2 No 1 September 2006 Platt, J. Weber, H. and Lian, H.M (1984). The New Englishes. London, Routledge and Kegan Paul Jenkins, J. (2009). World Englishes. London. Routledge.
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