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Author: Wasihun S. Gutema
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3668389926
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 21
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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: A-, University of Baltimore, language: English, abstract: The study detailed in this paper digs into the assimilative language policy of Ethiopia and how this language policy is fueling ethnic tensions. The paper elaborates specifically on the Oromo language, hereafter Afaan Oromo, and how the speakers of the language are marginalized so as to be included into the Ethiopian identity, an identity believed to be of civilization, through assimilative language policy. This assimilation countered pluralism or diversity in a brutal way in order to homogenize the diverse Ethiopian population - particularly the largest Ethnic group, the Oromo - into the Ethiopian identity or Ethiopianism. As the Ethiopian identity, an identity emanating from and of the ruling class, the Amhara population and the Amharic language, it was a solid state-building instrument with the power of creating belonging and loyalty to the state. Although this policy of assimilation was seemingly countered by the communist regime soon after the communists came to power in 1974, in essence the communist policy did not deter from the predecessor’s language policy of centralization. The centralization process through the Ethiopian identity-making via language suppression and depriving one of one’s identity seemed to come to an end, once again, in 1991 with the fall of the communist regime and the end of singularity, which is the idea of one nation with one language. Although pluralism is growing, still ethnic tensions are high and accompanied by vast grievances about the past and about how the current regime handles ethnic tensions, language issues especially. The example of Afaan Oromo, a predominately spoken language in Ethiopia, is pertinent, as speakers of the language are deprived of job placement in the federal government and systemic means of marginalizing the language are used.
Author: Wasihun S. Gutema
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3668389926
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 21
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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: A-, University of Baltimore, language: English, abstract: The study detailed in this paper digs into the assimilative language policy of Ethiopia and how this language policy is fueling ethnic tensions. The paper elaborates specifically on the Oromo language, hereafter Afaan Oromo, and how the speakers of the language are marginalized so as to be included into the Ethiopian identity, an identity believed to be of civilization, through assimilative language policy. This assimilation countered pluralism or diversity in a brutal way in order to homogenize the diverse Ethiopian population - particularly the largest Ethnic group, the Oromo - into the Ethiopian identity or Ethiopianism. As the Ethiopian identity, an identity emanating from and of the ruling class, the Amhara population and the Amharic language, it was a solid state-building instrument with the power of creating belonging and loyalty to the state. Although this policy of assimilation was seemingly countered by the communist regime soon after the communists came to power in 1974, in essence the communist policy did not deter from the predecessor’s language policy of centralization. The centralization process through the Ethiopian identity-making via language suppression and depriving one of one’s identity seemed to come to an end, once again, in 1991 with the fall of the communist regime and the end of singularity, which is the idea of one nation with one language. Although pluralism is growing, still ethnic tensions are high and accompanied by vast grievances about the past and about how the current regime handles ethnic tensions, language issues especially. The example of Afaan Oromo, a predominately spoken language in Ethiopia, is pertinent, as speakers of the language are deprived of job placement in the federal government and systemic means of marginalizing the language are used.
Author: Yirgalem Alemu
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3346038262
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 117
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Book Description
Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Speech Science / Linguistics, , language: English, abstract: This work has attempted to give an overview of how the language policy of the different regimes in Ethiopia has contributed to the sense of national identity. Although language is not the only factor that consolidates or weakens national identity, it plays a significant role. It is with this mine that the book is written. Different language-related policies and documents of the imperial, military and EPRDF regimes were closely investigated. Sections and statements in the policy pertaining to language use were considered as units of analysis. Furthermore, empirical and theoretical literature written in areas of language policy and national identity were consulted. The autoher also included his personal experiences as a university instructor and informal meetings held with people in different walks of life. The evidence obtained from the sources mentioned above reflects that the language policy used in Ethiopia is highly polarized: ranging from one language to all to no language to all. That is, the regimes before EPRDF dictate one language to be used as a tool of communication to all Ethiopians. On the other hand, the EPRDF regime emphasized local language and culture without (practically) giving any room for national communication. Both approaches contribute little to national identity formation. This book recommends that Ethiopians need to learn from other multilingual countries about language planning. Ethnocentric thinking that assumes one’s own language as superior to the other’s language should be avoided. Politicians also need to abstain from politicizing language (identity) and using it as a means of mobilizing support. This book recommends that bilingual/ multilingual education contributes a lot to Ethiopian national identity formation.
Author: Lahra Smith
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107035317
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 281
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Book Description
This book provides a study of contemporary politics in Ethiopia through an empirical focus on language policy, citizenship, ethnic identity, and gender. It is unique in its focus not only on the political institutions of Ethiopia and the history of the country but in that it studies these subjects at the intersection of both modern and historical time periods. In particular, it argues that meaningful citizenship, which is much more than the legal state of being a citizen, is a process of citizens and the state negotiating the practice of citizenship. Therefore, it puts the citizen back at the forefront of the process of expanding citizenship, suggesting the ways that citizens support, resist, and affect state policy on political rights.
Author: Moges Yigezu
Publisher: African Books Collective
ISBN: 9994455478
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 178
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Book Description
During the last decade and a half, The use of local languages for official purposes, particularly in primary education, has become a pronounced characteristic of Ethiopian education system. The fact that as many as 22 languages have been introduced into the school system since mid 1990s represents a major ideological shift from the previous policies the country had adopted over the course of several centuries. The Ethiopian educational language policy is radical in its scope and unique in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, and it invites a close examination of its ideological foundation and, even more so, its implementation model. The primary objective of this study was to make a critical appraisal of the implementation of vernacular education in the Harari region and examine the challenges of providing primary education in several Ethiopian and international languages, i.e. English, Amharic, Oromo, Arabic and Harari. The study made a comparative assessment of the use of languages as media of instruction for primary education, and concluded with an appraisal of the relative strengths and weaknesses in the use of each language, from both pedagogical and social perspectives.
Author: Mekonnen Alemu Gebre Yohannes
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030639045
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 171
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Book Description
This book examines the interplay and tensions between hegemonic and counter-hegemonic language policy and processes in Tigray, a regional state of Ethiopia, in the period of pre- and post-1991. Viewing language use and language policy as dynamic social and ideological processes, the book presents Ethiopia as an example of language policy creation and implementation over time, in a highly volatile political context. The case of Ethiopia is unique in that different language policies and practices were put in place as the country’s leaders changed through political takeovers. Declared language policies were not always implemented, and those implemented were often protested. The book starts with an overview and review of language policy and planning, followed by a chapter on the history of such planning in Ethiopia. It then presents the methodology used for the study, and examines the appropriation of hegemonic LPP, patterns of resistance, schools and public sites as centers of resistance, and the emergence and development of specific patterns of language use in different regions of the country. The book ends with recommendations for future research, and draws the overall conclusion that since LPP is a dynamic and multilayered contextual process, official or de facto language policy is often undermined by overt or covert unofficial language policies, ideologies, mechanisms, and agents that result in different patterns of language use.
Author: Habtamu Wondimu
Publisher: Kit Pub
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 82
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Book Description
On the basis of an extensive survey among young students, this study explores the often-neglected issues of ethnic identities, ethnic relations and ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia. Unraveling stereo-types and perceived characteristics of superiority and inferiority reveals some of the psychosocial contributors to such conflicts and inter-ethnic tensions. At the same time, the study makes clear that intermarriages, friendships, united struggles for socio-economic growth and development, and a concern for national unity prevail. The study depicts a multiethnic society where the chances for greater political stability and true national integration are still high if ethnicity is properly handled. The findings will help policy makers and others in their efforts to bring about mutual understanding and more positive relationships and peace among the over sixty ethnic groups in Ethiopia. By investigating the attributes of psychological modernity, this study further helps to identify potential agents of change, thus contributing to the need for change and future development.
Author: David Turton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 264
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Book Description
Since 1991, Ethiopia has gone further than any other country in using ethnicity as the fundamental organizing principle of a federal system of government. And yet this pioneering experiment in 'ethnic federalism' has been largely ignored in the growing literature on democratization and ethnicity in Africa and on the accommodation of ethnic diversity in democratic states. Apart from giving close examination to aspects of the Ethiopian case, the book asks why the use of territorial decentralization to accommodate ethnic differences has been generally unpopular in Africa, while it is growing in popularity in the West. The book includes case studies of Nigerian and Indian federalism and suggests how Ethiopia might learn from both the failures and successes of these older federations. In the light of these broader issues and cases, it identifies the main challenges facing Ethiopia over the next few years, as it struggles to bring political practice into line with constitutional theory, and thereby achieve a genuinely federal division of powers. North America: Ohio U Press; Ethiopia: Addis Ababa U Press
Author: Assefa Tolera
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Amhara (African people)
Languages : en
Pages : 166
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Book Description
Author: Asnake Kefale
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135017980
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 230
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Book Description
This book examines the impact of the federal restructuring of Ethiopia on ethnic conflicts. The adoption of ethnic federalism in Ethiopia was closely related with the problem of creating a state structure that could be used as instrument of managing the complex ethno-linguistic diversity of the country. Ethiopia is a multinational country with about 85 ethno-linguistic groups and since the 1960s, it suffered from ethno-regional conflicts. The book considers multiple governance and state factors that could explain the difficulties Ethiopian federalism faces to realise its objectives. These include lack of political pluralism and the use of ethnicity as the sole instrument of state organisation. Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Ethiopia will be of interest to students and scholars of federal studies, ethnic conflict and regionalism.
Author: Lovise Aalen
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004209379
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 230
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Book Description
Most governments in Africa, seeing the political mobilisation of ethnicity as a threat, have rejected the use of ethnic differences as an explicit basis for political representation. The one prominent exception is Ethiopia, which since 1991 has imposed a system of ethnic-based federalism that offers each ethnic group the right of ‘self-determination’. This book provides a detailed empirical study of this system at work in the complex multiethnic environment of southern Ethiopia. It finds that ethnic self-rule, in combination with the power politics of an authoritarian regime, has produced both intended and unintended outcomes. While arguably easing large-scale ethnic conflicts, it has led to ‘ethnicisation’ of local socioeconomic disputes and to sharper inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic divides, often to the disadvantage of historically marginalised groups.
