Amharic national conference begins

BDU:The Department of Ethiopian Languages and Literature, Amharic, began its second national conference aimed at discussing the contemporary issues of Amharic language, education, literature and culture.

Representing the President of Bahir Dar University, Mr. Molla Ababu, BDU’s Vice President for Information and Strategic Communication, has indicated that researches on culture in relation to socio-economic development need to be prioritized to support our knowledge and understanding based on the basis of research findings.

Crediting the institutionalized efforts made on the development of Amharic, Mr. Molla has pledged that the university will support the intellectuals’ effort of addressing the challenges of Amharic language and creating policy ideas.

On the occasion, Professor Baye Yimam, a prominent Ethiopian linguist, has enlightened the audience on the historical evolution of the status of Amharic and its development toward the country’s lingua franca.

Amharic, according to Professor Baye, had constitutionally been enshrined, for the first time, as Ethiopia’s official language during the period of Emperor H/Selassie I.

Ethiopia began its journey of linguistic pluralism as fifteen different indigenous Ethiopian languages were used for literacy campaign during the socialist period, Professor Baye said.

Professor Baye has also pointed out that the current linguistic pluralism in Ethiopia has challenges that need to be swiftly addressed.

Papers have been presented and discussions were made.Second national conference on Amharic to commence