(6) demographic factor: the numerical size of the speakers of a certain language in proportion to the whole population (sliding scale model) is the most frequent reason (See, for example, a memorandum signed between the Union and individual States of India in 1956 See also Part IV of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, 1992). (5) symbolic social identity (primordial benefit) of the working language choice. (4) for the state legitimacy purpose (Turgeon and Gagnon, 2013).
(3) collective equality of linguistic groups. (2) the rights of individuals belonging to linguistic minorities to participate effectively according to Art 2 of the 1992 UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious or Linguistic Minorities. 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right and Art, 1 of the Convention against Discrimination in Education of 1960. The first (1) is the right to non-discrimination at the hands of the state due to language, which is stipulated in Art. Other non-Amharic languages might be researched for similar reason.Īccordingly, below is the a quick list of the top 23 justifications for considering Afaan Oromoo as the other working language of the federal government of Ethiopia. I targeted Afaan Oromoo for the fact that it is the largest mother tongue in Ethiopia spoken by 34% of the country’s population followed by Amharic which is spoken by 29%, according to a 2007 report by the Central Statistic Authority (CSA). Why Afaan Oromoo as another federal working language More specifically, Amharic is not the only working language of Ethiopia it is the only working language of the federal government (See FDRE Constitution, 1995: Article 5). Thus, Ethiopia has not one but several working languages.
Ethiopian federation has several working languages in different jurisdictions.
This is the most mistaken or confused among scholars too. Secondly, the working language of the Federal Government of Ethiopia is not the same with the working language of Ethiopia. The term ‘national language’ elevates the language in question to the status of the national identity/citizenship, the national flag and the national anthem (Mputubwele, 2003). This is so because official language (legal status) is often connected with wider political issues of sovereignty, nationalism, and the rights of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, including immigrant communities. The term ‘official language’ may not necessarily mean office language. It is a language that is given a unique legal status in supra-national organizations such as the UN and the AU, federation or province or other body as its primary means of government communication: in short public service delivery language. A working language is a procedural administrative or office language. First, the term ‘working language’ is not the same with the term ‘national language’. Birhanemeskel based on the major findings of my thesis.īefore listing the top twenty three compelling reasons one by one, however, it is important to make clarifications on some points that are commonly misunderstood by many. In this brief reflection, I would like to build on the ten points raised by Dr. It explored the reasons used (and should be used) for adopting working language/s. The overall thesis was devoted to theoretical understanding of the general principles and international comparative experiences, and practical consequences of choosing working language/s in multilingual countries. The title of my thesis was “Ethiopia’s Choice of Federal Working Language and Its Implications for Non-Amharic Languages: The Case of Afaan Oromoo”. thesis defended in 2003 Ethiopian Academic Year at Addis Ababa University (AAU). His observation reminded me of my own M.A. Birhanemeskel Abebe, a renowned Ethiopian academician, came up with “Top Ten Reasons why Afaan Oromo should be the federal working language”.