African Languages

The many different African languages that spread all throughout the continent are both complex and intriguing. With almost 2000 different langauges spoken and as many as 8000 different dialects Africa is home to the most diverse language system the world has ever seen. These languages have have been around since the early beginings of man kind and have developed into the main bridge of communication for many people of Africa. As you explore the vast land of Africa you begin to appreciate the diversity amongst the different types of languages and people. Some are common to many parts of the world while some are unique to a certain tribe or clan alone and this type of diversity is what makes the different African languages such a interest and honor to study. Due to the many different languages spoken on the continent they have beend divided into language groups based on region. The four of main focus are the Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan languages all having their own special languages and dialects.

The Afroasiatic stretch across North Africa, the Horn of African, and Southwest Asia and is spoken by some almost 300 million people. This language group is the oldest of any other language group and is the mother to some of the most historically significant langauges ever spoken such as Egyptian and biblical Hebrew. The origins of this language can be traced all the way back to 3,400 BC in Ancient Egypt. Afroasiatic is branched off into three divisions of language consisting of Chadic, Cushitic, Omotic, and Semitic. Within these branches you have in smaller divisions into individual languages or leaves. Some of these sub-groups are very well known such as Arabic, Berber, Somali and others less known such as Oromo, Amharic, Tamazight, and Hausa. Although there are significant number of other languages to consider these are just some of the most comonly spoken.

Another major Language group of African Nilo-Saharan languages that consist of over...