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Languages

1. Tigrinya

 

  • The most widely spoken language, especially in the central and southern highlands (including the capital, Asmara).

  • Uses the Ge’ez (Ethiopic) script.

  • Spoken mainly by the Tigrinya ethnic group.

 

2. Tigre

 

  • Spoken primarily in the northern and western lowlands.

  • Also uses the Ge’ez script in writing, though the language is often passed on orally.

 

3. Arabic

 

  • Widely used as a lingua franca, especially among Muslim communities and in coastal areas.

  • Also used in religious education and trade.

  • Arabic is one of the working languages of the Eritrean government.

 

4. Saho

Spoken by the Saho people in the eastern lowlands.

5. Afar

  • Spoken in the southern coastal region near Djibouti.

6. Bilen

Spoken around Keren and nearby areas.

7. Kunama

Spoken in the western lowlands near the Sudanese border.

 

8. Nara

Spoken in the northwest.

  • Eritrea is officially a multilingual country with no single official language, but it recognizes several local languages as part of its national identity.

Fun Fact

Eritrea’s policy of “equality of all languages” means no one language is given official superiority, unlike many countries where one or two dominate government affairs.

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