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"Only Amharic or Leave Quick!": Linguistic Genocide in the Western Tigray Region of Ethiopia

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Abstract

Language is a powerful tool that enables communication and shapes our identity and cultural practices. The right to choose one's language is a fundamental human right that helps preserve personal and communal identities. In a multilingual nation like Ethiopia, language goes beyond communication to define administrative boundaries. Consequently, depriving Ethiopians of their linguistic rights becomes a more complex punishment than food embargoes. This research investigated the motives and means by which the Amhara Regional State-enforced a monolingual and monocultural language education policy in western Tigray through the lens of linguistic genocide. The study involved interviews with ten teachers, selected using a snowball sampling method, and document analysis to reinforce the result. Political and economic factors and a desire to promote the assimilation of Tigrayans into Amhara culture and language, a process known as "Amharanization", appear to have impacted the implementation of the language education policy in western Tigray. Authorities have implemented a variety of measures, including bans, restrictions, penalties, enforcement, forced relocation, and even heinous acts, which have caused the Tigrayan community severe physical and psychological distress. Collectively, these policies, actions, and outcomes constituted an act of linguistic genocide. This study sheds light on the severe repercussions of such policies, examines their implications, acknowledges the inherent limitations, and offers valuable recommendations for future research in this crucial area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doctoral School of Education, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

    Merih Welay Welesilassie

  2. Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia

    Merih Welay Welesilassie & Berhane Gerencheal

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  1. Merih Welay Welesilassie
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  2. Berhane Gerencheal
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Correspondence to Merih Welay Welesilassie.

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Welesilassie, M.W., Gerencheal, B. "Only Amharic or Leave Quick!": Linguistic Genocide in the Western Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Int J Semiot Law (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-024-10113-7

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