Ethio-Aramaic

Ethio-Aramaic refers to a group of ancient Semitic languages historically spoken in Ethiopia, evolving from ancient Aramaic, a language used across the ancient Near East. These languages include Ge'ez (liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church), Amharic, Tigrinya, and others. Ethio-Aramaic languages have unique scripts and vocabulary, preserving many features of ancient Semitic languages while developing separately over centuries. They hold cultural and religious significance, especially in liturgy, literature, and identity within Ethiopian communities. Today, Ge'ez remains primarily liturgical, while Amharic and Tigrinya are widely spoken as modern languages.