Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ethiopia 103

On a more cheery note, Ethiopian language seems very interesting to me. Although there are MANY languages used throughout Ethiopia, Amharic appears to be the main language used in Addis Ababa. (See the map below to check out all the other languages. FYI: if you click on it it will show a larger view.)


Amharic uses a different alphabet than English. The "letters" are very different looking and so most websites that contain Amharic phrases are written using the English alphabet which is, I might add, quite helpful to me! Before we begin our Amharic lesson I think it appropriate to put in a disclaimer that I have no idea what I am talking about so this post may read like a poorly translated fortune cookie to someone who speak Amharic. For this I apologize. But I'm pretty sure my one reader isn't fluent, so I think I'm safe.

When speaking Amharic, instead of saying Mr. Smith one should say Ato John, using Ato as mister and then the first name of the mister to whom you are referring. Mrs. is translated "wayzaro" and I believe the first name rule applies here as well.
Here are a few more words to work on this week. There will a test...

Hello Se-la-m
Bye/So long Chi-o
Thank you Ame-segi-na-lew
Yes! Ah-woh (or OW!)
Also, you can do a little intake of breath while you lift your eyebrows to “nod” yes.
No. I-deh-LEHM (starts with long I sound) Also can say Iyyyy
Toilet Shin-TEH-BAYT?
Water WOO hah

I think water is my favorite word so far...Woohah!

10 comments:

L.U.I.S said...

we're always learning ... i liked who haa ...

greetings from Brazil !

Kris said...

Wow have a reader in Brazil!!! I'm thrilled. I can speak your language... Hola LUIS, que tal? Agua is nice too, but whohaa is ever more fun:)
Thanks for reading!

L.U.I.S said...

... and good luck with your plans ..

God bless you ...

L.U.I.S said...

wow .. you know portuguese ...

que legal !!! muitas felicidades para vocĂȘ !

Kris said...

Ok, so I don't know portuguese, my bad. I've got a bit of Spanish stored away, but that's it!

Are you interested it adoption or Ethiopia? I must say that I'm just shocked silly that someone is reading my blog!

L.U.I.S said...

trully, i was looking around and randomly start reading your blog ...

but i get interested about the fact that you start posting things about other country while are looking for adoption there...

great gesture ...

sorry about my poor english ... hope i coud be understood ...

Kris said...

Thanks LUIS.. that's how I find blogs too... your English is great! I just checked out your blog and you seem to have a healthy sense of humor! I'll have to brush up on my portuguese and leave you a comment.
Dues o abencoe, Kris

L.U.I.S said...

thanks Kris ...

God bless you too ...

Nicole said...

Water was nice. I would like to learn more. Where did you find that on the internet? Anyways, keep up with the good work!

Nicole said...

http://www.myethiopianame.bravehost.com/talkamharic.html

Here is a good site for Ethiopian language. The author of the site is an Ethiopian native who specifically put the site together for adoptive families!

Hope you enjoy it!