Geez

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3

gez

Alternate Names

Ancient Ethiopic, Ethiopic, Ge’ez, Giiz

Autonym

ግዕዝ‎ (Gəʿəz)

Population

No known L1 speakers in Ethiopia. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Total users in all countries: none known.

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

9 (Second language only).

Classification

Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, North

Typology

VSO.

Language Use

Liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Ancient language of the Aksumites.

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 400–1918.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Geez

Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi].

Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Eritrea

Language nameGeez

Population Full

No known L1 speakers in Eritrea. Ethnic population: No ethnic community.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Ancient Ethiopic, Ethiopic, Ge’ez, Giiz

Status

9 (Second language only).

Language Use

Liturgical language only. Orthodox Church.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Only few highly educated priests can understand the language. Christian.

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Ethnologue

Geez

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A language of Ethiopia

Also spoken in:

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