How many African languages can you name? It might surprise you to learn that Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent on the planet, where you can hear over 2,000 different languages spoken. It would be impossible to look at them all in this article, so we’ll focus on just three: Tigrinya, Oromo, and Cape Verdean. While their linguistic roots and geographical origins may be significantly different, they nevertheless share some fascinating common features and challenges for their translators!
Tigrinya
Tigrinya is spoken by around 10 million people, most of whom live in one of two countries: Eritrea or Ethiopia. In Eritrea, Tigrinya is the most widely spoken language, as well as being one of the country’s three working languages (along with Arabic and English). Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, Tigrinya is the main language of the Tigray Region, although it is by no means the most widely spoken language nationally; that accolade goes to Oromo, which we’ll return to later in this article!
It’s worth highlighting that Ethiopia – Africa’s 10th-largest country, covering an area of 420,000 square miles – is highly multilingual, with over 80 languages used. Another unusual feature is the fact that each region is permitted by the constitution to select its own language for administration and education.
Outside of its primary countries, you’ll also hear Tigrinya spoken (albeit by smaller communities) in Sudan, as well as the United States, where there are well-established Eritrean and Ethiopian communities in Washington DC, California, Minnesota, and Seattle. Unsurprisingly, these areas experience significant demand for Tigrinya interpreters, particularly in educational establishments, as well as legal and healthcare settings.
Linguistic features of Tigrinya
Tigrinya shares its roots with other Semitic languages, including Amharic and Arabic. In Eritrea, there are also discernible Italian influences. It is written from left to right, using the Ge’ez script. All loops and curls, this distinctive script looks nothing like the Latin alphabet – and it doesn’t operate like it either. In fact, written Tigrinya uses a series of symbols (over 200 in total) to denote a consonant and vowel combination.
This means that, instead of writing two separate letters, for instance, a “d” and an “e,” you would just need a single symbol that represented “de” (or any other consonant-vowel pair) in combination. Aesthetically, Ge’ez script is a series of hoops and swirls, making it stand out visually from other African scripts, many of which use Latin script. Astonishingly, Ge’ez dates back more than 1,500 years!
The role of Tigrinya translation services
Tigrinya translation services play an essential role both in Africa and the United States. As well as enabling businesses, NGOs, and public bodies to effectively communicate with Tigrinya-speaking communities, they also ensure that messages are relayed with cultural sensitivity.
In addition to translating the words on the page or those spoken aloud, a Tigrinya interpreter or translator will also show the necessary respect for the traditional values deeply ingrained in society. These include a deep respect for elders and authority figures, as well as communicating indirectly, expressing ideas through proverbs or metaphors rather than directly.
Oromo
Like Tigrinya, Oromo is also spoken in Ethiopia, but in completely different regions. Tigrinya is spoken in the northern part of the country, while Oromo is more prevalent, spoken widely across central, western, and southern Ethiopia by the Oromo people. Its origins differ, too; Oromo is a Cushitic language and completely unrelated to Semitic languages such as Tigrinya. Its reach extends beyond Ethiopia’s borders, with relatively large communities in Kenya, Somalia, and much further afield in Scandinavia, for example, largely because of political displacement.
Unusual features of Oromo
If you speak or are learning another language, you might have heard about different cases. German, for example, has four grammatical cases, which are nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive cases. English has a greatly pared-down case system, although it used to be more elaborate. Oromo, though, has an impressive seven grammatical cases, including the ones listed above for German, but also the locative, instrumental, and ablative cases. There’s little wonder Oromo interpreters and translators are essential for clear communication!
Cape Verdean
The final African language we’ll look at in this blog is Cape Verdean, or Cape Verdean Creole. It has attracted much attention from linguists and Creolists over recent years, as it is thought to be the oldest living Creole language. With close to a million speakers, it’s also the most widely spoken Portuguese-based Creole language.
The majority of its speakers are found on the Cape Verde islands (also known as Cabo Verde), which are located 350 miles west of Senegal, in the central Atlantic Ocean. You’ll also find some Cape Verdean speakers in Angola, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, and Portugal.
What are the main challenges in Cape Verdean translation?
The Cape Verdean Creole translator has several unusual factors to contend with. Firstly, there is the fact that Cape Verdean Creole is not a single uniform language. There are multiple dialects and significant variations between the different islands that make up the country. The translator must select the right one to avoid diluting the message or alienating the target audience.
Secondly, translators (as opposed to Cape Verdean interpreters) must be aware that there is a lack of standardization. As this Creole is mostly a spoken language, there is very little consensus on orthography, which means there are different spellings for the same words and expressions. The grammar itself can also vary, making a written translation especially challenging, especially for an English-to-Cape Verdean Creole translator. Translating into English is less of an issue, as the translator can capture the meaning and relay it in the most appropriate form of English.
Capital Linguists’ African language translation services
At Capital Linguists, we take great pride in delivering tailored, highly accurate, and culturally nuanced translations of African languages. Whether you need a Tigrinya interpreter, a Cape Verdean Creole translator, or an Oromo interpreter, we can help.
Plus, with our industry-leading turnaround times, attentive customer service, and the best linguists in the sector, you’re guaranteed polished, accurate, and authentic results that help you truly connect.
