Assessing Key Factors in the Making Afan Oromo One of the Federal Working Languages

doi:10.7176/iags/93-01

Abstract

In mosaic countries, choice of a language as lingua franka needs careful scrutiny; since language has more meaning than as a mare communication means. It is related with identity, cultural, political, social, and economic affairs of speakers. In Ethiopia, there are nearly 80 ethno-linguistic groups speaking their respective languages. In such scenario choosing one or more language as federal working language is difficult task. Ethiopia doesn’t have a single policy document yet. However, the country has legally recognized only one language (Amharic) as federal working language. The choice of federal working language in Ethiopia seems arbitrary and also deviates from working language choice in multilingual states. The research is based on integrative literature review that synthesizes and critiques of secondary data. Objective principles for choice of working language; experiences three multilingual federal states having similarity with our country were reviewed. Based on these principles as well as experience countries, the finding claims Afan Oromo is not given the place it deserves in Ethiopia; which in fact is major causes for instabilities in the country. The article recommends Ethiopian government should make Afan Oromo additional federal working language as a part of responding to demands of Oromo people as well as a panacea for instabilities. Moreover, making it additional federal working language is reaching more population in the HoA which facilitate social integration. Keywords: Afan Oromo, Federal Working Language, Horn of Africa, Language Policy DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/93-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Highlights

The paper is organized into four sections including this succinct introduction
Issues like general conceptual framework of language policy; guidelines for selecting working language in mosaic countries like Ethiopia; experiences of some multi-lingual federation on working language choice having similarities with Ethiopian federation in terms of linguistic and cultural diversity to draw lesson(s) and fill the gap(s) of our current language policy [countries like: Nigeria, South Africa, and India]; analyzing Ethiopian language choosing for federal working language are discussed in detail
Lahra Smith explained language being more than an instrument of good that allows us to communicate with each other (Lahra, 2007:212).Lahra related language with national identity having political, linguistic, educational, and aesthetic aspects

Summary

Introduction

The paper is organized into four sections including this succinct introduction. The second section is materials and methods that tell how the work is done. Language is a term whose definition goes beyond a means of communication It is an important instrument for the expression and transfer of cultural values, and is in most cases a distinctive feature of an ethnic group (Alemante, 1992:40). Lahra Smith explained language being more than an instrument of good that allows us to communicate with each other (Lahra, 2007:212).Lahra related language with national identity having political, linguistic, educational, and aesthetic aspects. She says, “Language has an intrinsically valuable dimension which itself is a human creation or accomplishment, participation which is an end in itself” (Lahra, 2007). One way of doing this is by having language policy; be it overtly written or covertly known (Getachew A. and Derib Ado, 2006:40)

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Results

Conclusion