Learn to Speak Amharic

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Learn Amharic
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Origins of the Amharic Language
Amharic is one of the languages of Ethiopia, belonging to the South Ethiopic group of Ethiopian Semitic languages.

All the Ethiopic languages are descended from Geez, the ancient literary and ecclesiastic language of Ethiopia.

It is thought that the Semitic languages were introduced into Ethiopia from the Arabian Peninsula sometime in the first millennium B.C. The Ethiopic alphabet used in Amharic is also believed to have had its ultimate origin in Arabia. Amharic has also been influenced in its grammar and vocabulary by the nearby Cushitic tongues.

How many people speak the Amharic language?
There are 20 million speakers of Amharic, about one third of Ethiopa's population.

Amharic-speaking Countries
Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia, and has been the official tongue since the 14th Century. It is spoken in the vicinity of the capital, Addis Ababa, and the area just to the north.

Screenshots from Talk Now! Learn Amharic CD-ROM

Talk Now Amharic CD-ROM Details

This is an excitingly different language learning series. Talk Now! uses games and quizzes as a basis for making the learning process fun, easy and relaxing. There is no better way to teach an old dog new tricks and this fun element of the program means that your fears are forgotten as you absorb words and phrases without even realising you are learning them.

Talk Now! is the world's best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million people to date. It's ideal for travellers, holidaymakers, business people, schoolchildren, students and families.

Anyone over 10 years of age will find the disc indispensable for improving listening, understanding and spoken language skills. There are nine topics: first words, food, colours, phrases, parts of the body, numbers, time, shopping and countries.

The games and quizzes included on the disc ensure that users have fun whilst using the disc, without realising that they're learning. The "intelligent" software feature remembers words you get wrong and targets your weak points.

NOW includes Apple iPod integration, which allows you to listen to Talk Now Amharic wherever you are!

Amharic Culture

Ethiopia has a rich tradition of literature, including a number of translations from ancient Greek, Arabic, and other languages into Geez and modern Amharic. Most of the works are theological or mythological in nature, while secular literature is largely historical. It wasn't until the end of WWII that Amharic writers began writing about other issues, such as moral and patriotic themes.

Amharic Music and Dance

The Ethiopian 'krar' is a five or six-string lyre that is either plucked with the fingers or strummed with a plectrum. It is one of the oldest stringed instruments in the world and is thought to have bewitching powers. The krar is played solo, as an accompaniment to singing or storytelling, or as part of ensembles featuring flutes and drums.

Amharic Attractions

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's capital is a huge city with a population of 3 million people. Places of interest include the Ethnographic museum, which apart from housing artefacts that reveal Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, also showcases Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom, Africa Hall, a monument to African independence, and the Mercato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.

Aksum: This is the holiest city in Ethiopia and the place where Christianity was declared the national religion in the 4th Century. The original Ark of the Covenant, which holds the Ten Commandments, is supposed to live beneath the grounds of the 17th Century St. Mary of Zion church, although no one is allowed to see it. Ruins of the Palace of Sheba are also here.

Rift Valley Lakes: These seven lakes sit in a wide, fertile valley, which runs between Addis Ababa and the Kenyan border. Lakes Lagano, Abiyata and Shala are perhaps the most popular of the seven - one lake is blue, one silver and one brown. This is also an ideal spot for bird watching. There are also hot springs at Wondo Genet, south of the three lakes. Towards the Kenyan border, Lakes Abaya and Chamo are busy with wildlife, especially crocodiles.

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