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Ethiopia - Ethiopians get texting in Amharic
advertisement12/12/07
Ethiopia - Ethiopians get texting in Amharic
Ethiopians get texting in Amharic
By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Addis Ababa
A new range of mobile phones has just gone on sale in Ethiopia, with the onscreen menu in Amharic, and the ability to send SMS text messages in the Geez script - used for Amharic and other languages in the region.
This is something of a breakthrough in a country where until recently text messaging was not allowed in any language.
As the clock approached midnight on the Ethiopian New Year's Eve in September, just before the start of the year 2000 in the Ethiopian calendar, mobile phones across Addis Ababa started to bleep with the first text message their owners had received for two years.
"I wish you Happy Ethiopian Millennium," it read in English. "SMS service will be launched shortly."
And it was signed by the head of Ethiopian Telecom, the country's one and only telephone operator. This was as near as the company ever came to an acknowledgement that it had been blocking the service.
Text, no text
Ethiopians had been able to send and receive messages in the past, but during the violent election protests in 2005 the service stopped working without explanation.
Now text messaging is back.
But although young Ethiopians are as devoted to their mobile phones as young people anywhere in the world, text messaging is not very popular.
Until now the problem has been that mobile phones cannot cope with Amharic, which is written in the ancient Geez script.
Educated people text each other in English or Italian; if they want to send texts in their own language, Amharic speakers have to laboriously transliterate them into Roman script.
The new range of phones, developed by Nokia, have onscreen instructions in Amharic, keypads showing both Roman and Geez characters, and even the ability to set the date according to Ethiopia's unique, 13-month calendar.
The script will work for any language which uses the Geez script - Amharic or Tirgrinya in Ethiopia or Tigrean across the border in Eritrea.
Developing a Geez keyboard has been challenging.
While the Roman alphabet has just 26 characters, Geez characters, with all their variants, add up to nearly 300.
Each one combines both a consonant and a vowel, meaning you need two keystrokes for each letter.
So far the phones cannot do predictive messaging, but Nokia say they are working on it.
Market potential
The key to the system is the use of a Unicode - UCS2 standard - font.
Any mobile network which is enabled for UCS2 should be able to transmit the Geez characters, and any phone which is UCS2-capable should be able to display them successfully.
In practice that suggests the networks which already transmit non-Roman scripts, like Hindi or Arabic, will probably be able to transmit Amharic as well.
The phones are more problematical, but owners of recent-model handsets may find they can receive Amharic texts even if they do not themselves have a keypad which will send them.
Nokia eventually plans to sell five different models, but it has started with a basic model, the Nokia 1200, priced at around $50 - the same as a similar model without the Amharic keypad.
For smart young people around Addis Ababa, the plainness of this first model may be off-putting.
Some I spoke to were excited by the idea of Amharic messaging, impressed by the affordable price, but disappointed when they discovered the phone model was neither slim-line nor did it have Bluetooth or a built-in camera.
For the moment Ethiopia Telecom does have its Unicode capability switched on, although at the moment it is describing the Amharic capability as "a trial service" in 50 selected sites.
If the new phones do catch on, they should be good business for Nokia.
Their prediction for the next two years is that 80% of new mobile phone subscriptions will be in the developing world - something like one million new customers a day.
With a relatively low mobile phone penetration so far, a population of more than 70 million people, and a large overseas diaspora, Ethiopia is seen as a big market opportunity.
Related Links
Nokia launches Amharic-based mobile phones
78 comments
Comment from: ruth_sweet [Visitor]
It is really amazing 100 alphabet in
in 10 key tone. great job done,I will
hope they will work to fix the bad
connection.
12/12/07 @ 10:05
Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
This is Amharic text only what about Tigrigna? ETC better come up the solution.
12/12/07 @ 10:18
Comment from: Cirrii [Visitor]
Yeah! Thanks to the technologically incompatible Sabaean alphabet, Abyssinians finally get to use texting. Now you know why Latin alphabets/Qubee used by Oromos and Southern Nations are more technology friendly than your “ye debtera fidel.” I do not understand why Abyssinians struggle with an old Arabic alphabet (that is not even theirs) where you can’t even differentially write a consonant and a vowel. The language has no use beyond Abay River anyways! Time to catch up with rest of the world, Adopt Qubee!
12/12/07 @ 10:24
Comment from: Nafiadi [Visitor]
Geez scripture is the most backward of all and should be put on museum shelf. Ethiopians shouldn't use this ancient incomplete scripture. Most Ethiopian don't use Geez anyways. I don't why they are wasting so much many and energy for this bs. I bet many people agree with me.
Thanks Nazret
Nafiadi
Thanks Nazret
Nafiadi
12/12/07 @ 10:26
Comment from: akaki zerafe [Visitor]
What can i say p.m you are great leadr
Of afric, please give a listen to shabin
Dogs how to deal with different issues.
Once again meles i wish and we all wish
If you could stay as p.m another 20 years
Ethiopia would go in right direction.
Long live ethio
12/12/07 @ 10:29
Comment from: Cirrii [Visitor]
In the mean time, I would like to appreciate Nazret.com for their openness to ideas and free expressions. You know tha's why you are so popular even among non abyssinians like myself.
You Go!
You Go!
12/12/07 @ 11:14
Comment from: yeEthiopia Lij [Visitor]
We Ethiopians are proud of having our Alphabet. We must develope our languege to be always special. Go Ethiopia.
Nafiadi
To have own languege is not backwardness. You have a Latin and you are still not developed
Cirrii
"The language has no use beyond Abay River anyways!" Japan also have own language it is spoken only in Japan.
Yeha
Official Language in Ethiopia is Amharic.
ETHIOPIA Lezelalem Tinoralech!
Nafiadi
To have own languege is not backwardness. You have a Latin and you are still not developed
Cirrii
"The language has no use beyond Abay River anyways!" Japan also have own language it is spoken only in Japan.
Yeha
Official Language in Ethiopia is Amharic.
ETHIOPIA Lezelalem Tinoralech!
12/12/07 @ 11:24
Comment from: tazabiw [Visitor]
This is excelent news. I am very proud. For those who didn't like it, sorry I have got one short message in English.
PISS OFF.
PISS OFF.
12/12/07 @ 11:38
Comment from: Gudfela [Visitor]
Yeha..FYI
"The script will work for any language which uses the Geez script - Amharic or Tirgrinya in Ethiopia or Tigrean across the border in Eritrea."
"The script will work for any language which uses the Geez script - Amharic or Tirgrinya in Ethiopia or Tigrean across the border in Eritrea."
12/12/07 @ 11:41
Comment from: Warrior [Visitor]
Yeha, &
Nafiadi (BANDA),
Stop complaining the writer mentioned about Tigrinya which she said that the text can also be used across the border in Eritrea. I do not understand what you are fusing about. The point is Amharic is the largely spoken language in Ethiopia more than Tigrinya. ARAT NETEB Which I think even the Tigrinya speaking people agree with me. There is no problem. Now if you say Oromina is the largely spoken language they choose to use to write with (QUBE) or Latin. But any way I think many people know Geez is closer to Tigrinya and latter Amharic came in as time goes and the language got sophisticated. So you do not need to create havoc hear. It is good technological breaking news for Ethiopians even fro people who do not speak English.
12/12/07 @ 11:43
Comment from: ethiopian man [Visitor]
Good thing, now all the Kinijits who cant understand english will use it to disseminate their hate campaign. Its onestep ahead. Hopefully it will also help the vast majority of law abiding citizens to pass messages quickly in a lesser cost
12/12/07 @ 11:49
Comment from: alula [Visitor]
LONG LIVE TO OUR PM & HIS FAMILEY. ETIOPIA IS 4 ALL us.
12/12/07 @ 12:11
Comment from: Ato Menelik [Visitor] 
some primate said
Geez scripture is the most backward of all... Ethiopians shouldn't use this ancient incomplete scripture.
Unless you have invented a better one use your heritage that is adaptable phonetically to the whole world.
ኢት ወርክስ ፎር ኤኒ ላንግዊጭ dummy!!!!
Geez scripture is the most backward of all... Ethiopians shouldn't use this ancient incomplete scripture.
Unless you have invented a better one use your heritage that is adaptable phonetically to the whole world.
ኢት ወርክስ ፎር ኤኒ ላንግዊጭ dummy!!!!
12/12/07 @ 12:17
Comment from: gergud [Visitor]
I don't know how to deal with people like FGFG who has not good wishes to ethiopia....the smart who asks democracy...like he or she asking fork before the food.:kkk
and idiot like nafiadi are in shaebya's payroll my God this people are make sick...GOOD NEWS IS ETHIPIA IS DETERMINED TO PROVE YOU WRONG .
and idiot like nafiadi are in shaebya's payroll my God this people are make sick...GOOD NEWS IS ETHIPIA IS DETERMINED TO PROVE YOU WRONG .
12/12/07 @ 12:29
Comment from: visitor [Visitor]
CIVILIZATION IN OUR NATION IS WALKING GRADUALLY. WE ETHIOPIANS WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR COUNTRY TO BE CALLED A BEAUTIFUL NATION WITH A LOT OF NATION AND NATIONALITIES WORKING HAND IN HAND TO CONCOR POVERTY. LET THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA LIVE LONG LOVE EACH OTHER WORK HARD FOR MORE PROSPERITY AND WEALTH TO SCRATCH HUNGER FROM THE FACE OF ETHIOPIA.
WE ETHIOPIANS WHO WISH TO SEE OUR PEOPLE HAPPY AND HEALTHY FINALLY SHOULD NOT OPPOSE THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY ACCOMPLISH SOME THINK GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE. GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA.
WE ETHIOPIANS WHO WISH TO SEE OUR PEOPLE HAPPY AND HEALTHY FINALLY SHOULD NOT OPPOSE THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY ACCOMPLISH SOME THINK GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE. GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA.
12/12/07 @ 13:18
Comment from: ethiopian man [Visitor]
I am sure Birtukan Mediksa will be happy to disseminate hate campaign, don worry the law will keep a good eye on u, and your amhara extremists. watch out sister, you need to think twice before disrespecting tigreans. By so doing u are trying to dismember Ethiopia. Your greed to power isnt acceptable u need to respect ur people, north-west-east and south
12/12/07 @ 13:58
Comment from: AGAM [Visitor]
This is good news to all ethiopian people that respect ethiopian culture and history.To those of you ignorant of ethiopia history geze is still being used widley in rural tigray and orthodox churches.Unlike the qonqerd pepole ethiopia have her own laguage and alphabet,even hebrew and arabic went from ethiopia.If you want to know more read the book called BLACK SPARK WHITE FIRE this will help you to open your hateful blind eyes.More power to ethiopia!
12/12/07 @ 13:58
Comment from: Kelebet [Visitor]
It is good in general. I have already applauded for the efforts being made to make this a reality. But I would ask here one thing, wouldn’t that make the Oromos people to ask same question and then may be later the Tigrians. And then other ethinic groups may follow. I don’t know what the government might answer if the Oromos ask to use Qube version for their cell phone. I do really hate this kind of ethnic based move. Cuz it will all drag us back to the deep mud of hatred. ‘min yideregal dua madiregi new’ May Allah revisit us all with Love and Tolerance.
Love wins!
Kelebet
Love wins!
Kelebet
12/12/07 @ 14:07
Comment from: Demelash [Visitor]
For smart who commentated on this great achievement. This is technologically advancement, nothing to do with Democracy. I hope to see, more growth, in a healthy way, in this great era.
God bless
God bless
12/12/07 @ 14:09
Comment from: yohannes [Visitor]
Who is the idiot that posted the first comment.Some name -calls himself Smart but probably had to look online to spell the word democracy.
Your lame little cuts are beginning to sound tired!!!!
Your lame little cuts are beginning to sound tired!!!!
12/12/07 @ 14:20
Comment from: Ellili [Visitor]
Cirrii,
"not even theirs"... I see, qubee (Latin) is “theirs” that is yours. Don’t worry we have chosen, to use your own demagogue, the old Arabic script as you have Latin which, by the way, is not yours either and is equally old. But I don’t know why “deressas” prefer the Latin “fidel” (which does not even spell out a lot of the thick consonants and hidden vowels they have) to the Arabic while liking Arab’s religion Islam. Never mind you guys are always confused and may be unable to get over your embedded complex. Personally, I don’t care if adopting Latin massages your inferiority complex a little bit better and makes you sober too (down the road). It is a win win. See you south of the Awash.
"not even theirs"... I see, qubee (Latin) is “theirs” that is yours. Don’t worry we have chosen, to use your own demagogue, the old Arabic script as you have Latin which, by the way, is not yours either and is equally old. But I don’t know why “deressas” prefer the Latin “fidel” (which does not even spell out a lot of the thick consonants and hidden vowels they have) to the Arabic while liking Arab’s religion Islam. Never mind you guys are always confused and may be unable to get over your embedded complex. Personally, I don’t care if adopting Latin massages your inferiority complex a little bit better and makes you sober too (down the road). It is a win win. See you south of the Awash.
12/12/07 @ 14:31
Comment from: Abeba Teshale [Visitor]
While it is fantastic to be able to text message using Amharic scripts, I found the on screen menu to be gender biased, impolite to the older generation and sounds like an order.
I have a minute advice to the programmer. The word that says “MERETT” should be replaced by “YEMERTU” and “TEMELES” should be “YEMELESU”.
These words are more polite, inclusive and above all not gender biased to the subscribers of the Amharic texting.
Best regards,
Abeba Teshale
I have a minute advice to the programmer. The word that says “MERETT” should be replaced by “YEMERTU” and “TEMELES” should be “YEMELESU”.
These words are more polite, inclusive and above all not gender biased to the subscribers of the Amharic texting.
Best regards,
Abeba Teshale
12/12/07 @ 14:35
Comment from: 42 90 84 24 6 108(GONDAR) [Visitor]
Nafiadi:
well, what is the reason? I had many point but nazret.com and the Isp are hell to do their partial and selfish disrespect but I can handle it.
Before i say some tell me man?
well, what is the reason? I had many point but nazret.com and the Isp are hell to do their partial and selfish disrespect but I can handle it.
Before i say some tell me man?
12/12/07 @ 14:38
Comment from: Aenseba [Visitor]
You are so stupid and bullshit to comment
Geez scripture.Listen, who you are,may be from those banda there or OLF,You haven
't any ground or capability to comment
Geez.
12/12/07 @ 14:55
Comment from: M.T. [Visitor]
The linguists say all script forms, or letters have come from the Mediteranean world, scattered archipilagoes which were called, Phonecias. Around Cyprus, Malta and Crete now. So scripts went down wards, to Africa, Northwards to Europe, and East wards to India and Asian countries. This is the reading of most respected linguists as to analyzing the genesis of all lettres. The gaenology of writing has left a very long predilection unto the human memory - civilization. The languages of the world, with those of the number of terminating their lifes reach a few thousand. But the written languages are about sixty. And Africa is proud of its only practiced Geez alpahabet. When you see the traces of all alphabets, you will begin to see graphic relationships between the Geez's (Also Yemen's or/and Arabia's first developed letters - in the Arabic Peninsula. Sabean, therfore, Syriac, Synaic, Hebrew and Arabic have if not necessarily the same but very close roots. Even one can trace links with the Latin and Sabean, and Greek old letter forms. The development of letters in different countries gave respectively unique images to the letters of the world.
So all letters have old forms, most probably as the specialists suggest that they have the same origin. We are proud of our Geez script but it must also accelerate to adopt and translate many things; among other all wealth of information, science and literature into Ethiopian-African languages. The job is enormous and must be done by all.
So all letters have old forms, most probably as the specialists suggest that they have the same origin. We are proud of our Geez script but it must also accelerate to adopt and translate many things; among other all wealth of information, science and literature into Ethiopian-African languages. The job is enormous and must be done by all.
12/12/07 @ 15:07
Comment from: skinny but proud ethiopian [Visitor]
my fidel
my pride
my country
my pride,
Do you people know how proud I feel when white people get amazed after looking at Amharic text, we are the only ones in Africa with our own Alphabet, I would'nt trade that for my life,
Be Proud
Be Ethiopian
my pride
my country
my pride,
Do you people know how proud I feel when white people get amazed after looking at Amharic text, we are the only ones in Africa with our own Alphabet, I would'nt trade that for my life,
Be Proud
Be Ethiopian
12/12/07 @ 15:16
Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]
my Oromo friends, please remember that you could be a mighty force of progress in any area in Ethiopia, including developing the script and making it even more adaptible to technology. Remember that Ayana Birru created the Amharic typewriter for Ethiopia.
12/12/07 @ 15:17
Comment from: welara [Visitor]
cirrii
nafiadi
I have news for you the truth is coming out about geez.
with the hate rd you have in your hart you are going to kill your self
log on www.drgensscot.com
you don't believe the debtera
here it from fereng so you can admit it
nafiadi
I have news for you the truth is coming out about geez.
with the hate rd you have in your hart you are going to kill your self
log on www.drgensscot.com
you don't believe the debtera
here it from fereng so you can admit it
12/12/07 @ 15:39
Comment from: agib [Visitor]
Good news to Ethiopia but bad news for those narrow minded who prefer latin to africa orgin 'Geez'
12/12/07 @ 15:46
Comment from: hammere [Visitor]
Yeha:
embaE entay deA koynka wedey kemziy aynet tsihuf ttsihif. Amharignan tigrignan hade alphabet eyom zitkemu.
You must be joking.
embaE entay deA koynka wedey kemziy aynet tsihuf ttsihif. Amharignan tigrignan hade alphabet eyom zitkemu.
You must be joking.
12/12/07 @ 16:22
Comment from: Abajifar [Visitor]
Dear developers I appriciate your work. Well Done! Keep it up!
Dear Cirrii;
I am sorry to say you are like your name "Cirrii". You speak a lot about Qube but I doubt whether you know the meaning of it or not. Qube is just to say alphabet that is all. For your confidence Amharic or Geez is not for Amhara, Tigre, Oromo or some one else in Ethiopia. It is what we contributed for long time. So my dear we need not destroy what we developed so far. We better go forward. Hope we shall develop Qube or Tigrigna, Shekigna or whatever. This only needs our common understanding and positive attitude. Forget the practices of Woyane, OLF bla bla...
Dear Developers Keep it up and I am proud of you once again.
Abajifar the Jimma!
bye.
Dear Cirrii;
I am sorry to say you are like your name "Cirrii". You speak a lot about Qube but I doubt whether you know the meaning of it or not. Qube is just to say alphabet that is all. For your confidence Amharic or Geez is not for Amhara, Tigre, Oromo or some one else in Ethiopia. It is what we contributed for long time. So my dear we need not destroy what we developed so far. We better go forward. Hope we shall develop Qube or Tigrigna, Shekigna or whatever. This only needs our common understanding and positive attitude. Forget the practices of Woyane, OLF bla bla...
Dear Developers Keep it up and I am proud of you once again.
Abajifar the Jimma!
bye.
12/12/07 @ 17:09
Comment from: Independent [Visitor]
what about in Afaan Oromo and Tigrigna, Nazret.com?
[May be BBC could try to be more politically correct and say "Ethiopians get texting in Ethiopic (BBC)". Using Ethiopic fonts, you can now write in Amhargna, Tigrigna, Oromigna, Guragigna, Kembatigna, etc if one prefers. But then again you have to understand the menu in Ethiopia's official language, Amharic]
[May be BBC could try to be more politically correct and say "Ethiopians get texting in Ethiopic (BBC)". Using Ethiopic fonts, you can now write in Amhargna, Tigrigna, Oromigna, Guragigna, Kembatigna, etc if one prefers. But then again you have to understand the menu in Ethiopia's official language, Amharic]
12/12/07 @ 17:17
Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
hammere,
terdini alo gizie nemhelfi ele zetetkemkulu kal eyu. Don't worry my brother this only joke. the writer even metion what and how many lang can have. Thanks for the brotherly adice though. Selam ma'alty zehawy. Yeha
terdini alo gizie nemhelfi ele zetetkemkulu kal eyu. Don't worry my brother this only joke. the writer even metion what and how many lang can have. Thanks for the brotherly adice though. Selam ma'alty zehawy. Yeha
12/12/07 @ 18:04
Comment from: Thunder [Visitor]
Cirrii,
I know how the existence of Ethiopia is killing you. You cannot and you will not annihilate Ethiopia. Ethiopia is here to stay until The Kingdom comes. You are a very disturbed individual. Say, what you like to say evil about Ethiopia and wage any war against Ethiopia, one thing is for sure; you cannot and will not do any harm to Ethiopia. Ethiopia will remain intact and continue to raises all her children. Eat your heart out!
I know how the existence of Ethiopia is killing you. You cannot and you will not annihilate Ethiopia. Ethiopia is here to stay until The Kingdom comes. You are a very disturbed individual. Say, what you like to say evil about Ethiopia and wage any war against Ethiopia, one thing is for sure; you cannot and will not do any harm to Ethiopia. Ethiopia will remain intact and continue to raises all her children. Eat your heart out!
12/12/07 @ 18:19
Comment from: Hope [Visitor]
Replay to Comment from: smart [Visitor]
We need democracy not text messaging.
See if you can go and buy it at HR2003 store
We need democracy not text messaging.
See if you can go and buy it at HR2003 store
12/12/07 @ 18:22
Comment from: Aba Lafa [Visitor]
All man are brothers, we should give a credit to the the person who wrote the program ad market it.
We have to identified ourself with the whole of Ethiopians, learn critical thinking focus in a moral basis and identified yourself with the whole man kind." Truth reside in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truths one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his/her own view of truth."
Peace out
We have to identified ourself with the whole of Ethiopians, learn critical thinking focus in a moral basis and identified yourself with the whole man kind." Truth reside in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truths one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his/her own view of truth."
Peace out
12/12/07 @ 19:14
Comment from: Omar [Visitor]
hammere
What are you talking? The whole European countries are using same alphabet. But they are speaking different language.
What are you talking? The whole European countries are using same alphabet. But they are speaking different language.
12/12/07 @ 19:22
Comment from: Voiceout [Visitor]
This is amazing ! im happy to hear this happening in Ethiopia, we need to move forward with top gear towards development in all dimensions. Peace to our nation!
12/12/07 @ 19:35
Comment from: the truth [Visitor]
A bunch of stupid people with different skull, why you people take this shit as a big deal, now Ethiopian people question is not Amharic txt message or other , how many of Ethiopian people using mobile phone? May be 5 %, but if u asked how many people is surviving with a bad treatment in there own country? The answer is more than 50 %, how many people are living with out fear of the current government.
I guess this is the time to have a good government in Ethiopia; we don’t need a government who work for America or for others countries any more.
The funny thing is, some of you peoples run your mouth with out any care, because, this big hamburger messed up your nerves system.
Any ways, before u say some thing, at least think one time. Please!!!
I guess this is the time to have a good government in Ethiopia; we don’t need a government who work for America or for others countries any more.
The funny thing is, some of you peoples run your mouth with out any care, because, this big hamburger messed up your nerves system.
Any ways, before u say some thing, at least think one time. Please!!!
12/12/07 @ 19:51
Comment from: geb [Visitor]
Cool!
It is time to write a text to Isayas
and CUD in diasporaaaaaaaaaaaaaa well
they need to understand politics in
their own language
Helloooooooooooooooooooo!
It is time to write a text to Isayas
and CUD in diasporaaaaaaaaaaaaaa well
they need to understand politics in
their own language
Helloooooooooooooooooooo!
12/12/07 @ 20:38
Comment from: Daniel Tekle [Visitor]
That Ethiopians/Eritreans have their own Fidel/Alphabet is a point of pride in a continent that uses roman alphabets...NEVER should it be seen as a liability!!! even if it is not technology friendly.
I have always been amazed by the people who created this alphabet becuase they thought of all the sounds that our language has in it and gave us an a written language where you can never mis-spell anything.
These oromo guys must be joking or jealous!
Daniel
I have always been amazed by the people who created this alphabet becuase they thought of all the sounds that our language has in it and gave us an a written language where you can never mis-spell anything.
These oromo guys must be joking or jealous!
Daniel
12/12/07 @ 20:47
Comment from: Brooks [Visitor]
Amharic(geez) has only 6 vowels not 300 characters.Example-take the letter, Ha, main vowels are ( hu-hi-ha-he-heh-ho).The same vowels applies to every Consonant from the letter HA-PPE.One has to know only the 6 vowels of a single letter then the names of Consonant. Amharic is very SIMPLE you see that. Thanks
12/12/07 @ 20:56
Comment from: ababu [Visitor]
"While the Roman alphabet has just 26 characters, Geez characters, with all their variants, add up to nearly 300."
ከላይ ጸሃፊዋ በስህተት እንደምትገልው:: የ የግእዝ ፊደላት 300 አይደሉም:: በርግጥ 37 ናቸው:: አናባቢውችን ወይንም ተቅጥያዎችን እንደ አንድ ፊደል ወስደን መቁጠር የለብንም:: ለምሳሌ: በ ቢ ቢ ባ ቤ ብ ቦ እንደ ሰባት ፊደላት መቁጠር የለብንም: እንደ አንድ ፊደል ከነሃርጉ እንጂ::
We have to educate those who do not know much about our culture. Our wonderfull Geez alphabet is our pride and joy and aprt of our culture. Easy to learn, very practical and can be functional if we develop along with today's technology.
ከላይ ጸሃፊዋ በስህተት እንደምትገልው:: የ የግእዝ ፊደላት 300 አይደሉም:: በርግጥ 37 ናቸው:: አናባቢውችን ወይንም ተቅጥያዎችን እንደ አንድ ፊደል ወስደን መቁጠር የለብንም:: ለምሳሌ: በ ቢ ቢ ባ ቤ ብ ቦ እንደ ሰባት ፊደላት መቁጠር የለብንም: እንደ አንድ ፊደል ከነሃርጉ እንጂ::
We have to educate those who do not know much about our culture. Our wonderfull Geez alphabet is our pride and joy and aprt of our culture. Easy to learn, very practical and can be functional if we develop along with today's technology.
12/12/07 @ 21:39
Comment from: Dolo [Visitor]
THIS IS A BIGGING,BUT A BIG PROGRESS TO ETHIOPIANS.OUR PROGRAMMERS WILL IMPROVE THE IN THE FUTURE.
THE WESTS COUNTRIES START THE SAME WAY,WITH A GIANTS MOBEIL WITHOUT SMS,MMS,CAMERA etc... an AND REACHES NOW IN MODERN MOBEIL.
THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS TALK SHIT ABOUT ETHIOPIA ,YOU WILL NEVER REACHES YOUR AIM.BETTER U ADMEIRE AND GIVE VALUABLE COMMENTS:
ROMA HAD NOT BEEN BUILT IN ONE DAY.
GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!!!
JAH.
THE WESTS COUNTRIES START THE SAME WAY,WITH A GIANTS MOBEIL WITHOUT SMS,MMS,CAMERA etc... an AND REACHES NOW IN MODERN MOBEIL.
THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS TALK SHIT ABOUT ETHIOPIA ,YOU WILL NEVER REACHES YOUR AIM.BETTER U ADMEIRE AND GIVE VALUABLE COMMENTS:
ROMA HAD NOT BEEN BUILT IN ONE DAY.
GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!!!
JAH.
12/12/07 @ 21:55
Comment from: debebe [Visitor]
this comment is for the person who said what about (tigrigna-.It seems to me that you are ignorant when it comes to geez script. Geez can be used to write Amharic or tigrigna.However,I am so sorry for thoes very few oromos who choose not to use this script.
12/12/07 @ 23:22
Comment from: Brooks [Visitor]
Thank you Daniel Tekle. Amharic(GEEZ)/Tigrigna has ONLY 3, not 300 characters.(1)- (2)| (3)o.Example the letter Ha's vowel Hu is #1(-) added. Hi is #1(-)+#2(|) Ha is #2(|) Heh is #3(o)+#2 Ho is #3(o). Any consonant from HA-PPE must have the (-)(|)(o) characters to make the 6 vowels.Thanks
12/12/07 @ 23:26
Comment from: sara [Visitor]
For the people that are talking negatively of geez script, I think you should understand history. Geez script is developed from the ancient yemeni, sabean script which is less
than 30 characters. The 300 or so characters were developed in Abyssinia by Abyssinians to accommodate the language they were using. Besides, geez speakers
were a mixture of yemeni migrants and the local Cush people. So, the script is not borrowed, but it is their heritage and obviously they are proud of it
Agazian
than 30 characters. The 300 or so characters were developed in Abyssinia by Abyssinians to accommodate the language they were using. Besides, geez speakers
were a mixture of yemeni migrants and the local Cush people. So, the script is not borrowed, but it is their heritage and obviously they are proud of it
Agazian
12/12/07 @ 23:30
Comment from: Temaru [Visitor]
The distributers of this apparatus will be bankrupted soon as the phone 'll be used by few.Because
most people use apparatus which are entering the country illegally/contraband.
Most people/not all, who use latin don't use it and get advantage of buying cheap and internationally functioning apparatus.
Friends and relatives can't send mobile phones back home to their uneducated ones,but if they continue doing so the new brand 'll be out of competition soon.
most people use apparatus which are entering the country illegally/contraband.
Most people/not all, who use latin don't use it and get advantage of buying cheap and internationally functioning apparatus.
Friends and relatives can't send mobile phones back home to their uneducated ones,but if they continue doing so the new brand 'll be out of competition soon.
12/13/07 @ 00:05
Comment from: Temaru [Visitor]
This will more isolate the people of the country from the world.
Users will remain local.
Users will remain local.
12/13/07 @ 00:07
Comment from: Yefajale [Visitor]
የደስ ደስ
ይህችን መፈክር TEXT ተደራረጉ
ወያኔ ከነጭፍራው ይንጨርጨር
HR-፪ሺህ፡ሦስት
የወያኔ ሞት
ይህችን መፈክር TEXT ተደራረጉ
ወያኔ ከነጭፍራው ይንጨርጨር
HR-፪ሺህ፡ሦስት
የወያኔ ሞት
12/13/07 @ 00:27
Comment from: Debub [Visitor]
Some,who doesn't even know the difference between script and scripture is trying to be expert on writing systems.
12/13/07 @ 00:40
Comment from: azisa [Visitor]
that is only for amaras and amharic
we have been chating in our latin 10 years ago,,kkkkk so late tecno
we have been chating in our latin 10 years ago,,kkkkk so late tecno
12/13/07 @ 02:26
Comment from: mesay [Visitor]
Dear Elisabeth Blunt of BBC,
I read so much of your news articles. It looks that you have some kind of problem with Ethiopia. You produced so much of propaganda regarding Ogaden. You often look into the dark image of Ethiopia than the shining one. This article looks good. However, it still shows your a bit of your colonial mentality.. You tried to belittle the independent status of Ethiopia.
" Educated people text each other in English or Italian"
You are right about English. I do not understand from where in the hell do you get the Italian speakers. You wish! Do not try to erode our freedom! Do not fabricate! Do not lie! How many Italian speaking Ethiopians do you meet or know? That is absurd! Stop writing you dreamful wish. Remove your colonial dirt or else we will remove you from our shining, beautiful and free country.
I read so much of your news articles. It looks that you have some kind of problem with Ethiopia. You produced so much of propaganda regarding Ogaden. You often look into the dark image of Ethiopia than the shining one. This article looks good. However, it still shows your a bit of your colonial mentality.. You tried to belittle the independent status of Ethiopia.
" Educated people text each other in English or Italian"
You are right about English. I do not understand from where in the hell do you get the Italian speakers. You wish! Do not try to erode our freedom! Do not fabricate! Do not lie! How many Italian speaking Ethiopians do you meet or know? That is absurd! Stop writing you dreamful wish. Remove your colonial dirt or else we will remove you from our shining, beautiful and free country.
12/13/07 @ 05:00
Comment from: geb [Visitor]
Too bad!
"Ethiopians get texting"
If Ethiopians can't use the machine to
share with their friends and families
and the rest of the world, what is the
point of having of creating another
tool?
Too late for this other things. Let us
compare the Ethiopian cell phone services
with the rest of Africa. Ethiopians have been deprived of text messeging in their
won country for a long time. Whether it is
politically or control, Ethiopia is
moving very slow. May be let us give tis to
CUD leaders to run. Perhaps they will have a hard time fixing any out off service equipments and may not making a phone to talk to Isayas how they are conducting themselves about Bad Me Ba Dme....
Freedom!
Their is no freedom in this world. Not is this world. For one thing or another, it doesnt matter where, there is no FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
The only FREEDOM I find is in the BATHROOM becuse no body bothers me what I do. My only private and call it MY FREEDOM.
PEACE!
"Ethiopians get texting"
If Ethiopians can't use the machine to
share with their friends and families
and the rest of the world, what is the
point of having of creating another
tool?
Too late for this other things. Let us
compare the Ethiopian cell phone services
with the rest of Africa. Ethiopians have been deprived of text messeging in their
won country for a long time. Whether it is
politically or control, Ethiopia is
moving very slow. May be let us give tis to
CUD leaders to run. Perhaps they will have a hard time fixing any out off service equipments and may not making a phone to talk to Isayas how they are conducting themselves about Bad Me Ba Dme....
Freedom!
Their is no freedom in this world. Not is this world. For one thing or another, it doesnt matter where, there is no FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
The only FREEDOM I find is in the BATHROOM becuse no body bothers me what I do. My only private and call it MY FREEDOM.
PEACE!
12/13/07 @ 07:58
Comment from: mira [Visitor]
i personally do appreciate the developments and progress of the country but there are things which are important than mobile for us. poverty and hungry, all over the country. let us develop that issue and change the life of mollions ethiopians. i will use english to write the messages, for get amharic or geez, keep it in the musuem it can remain as history of country. development please change of life please it is important to me. leave the issue of your ethnicity if i was to given chance to lead that country i will be like from other country never like my tribe
love to my poor people of ethiopia, down to wayane and purpet, who thinks to develop their rabish deveopment is for all people suffering in the villages. who is using mobile in ethiopia,please nazret expain to me? logically the same people of gevernment of meles?!!
shame down to your mobile
change life men
love
mira
love to my poor people of ethiopia, down to wayane and purpet, who thinks to develop their rabish deveopment is for all people suffering in the villages. who is using mobile in ethiopia,please nazret expain to me? logically the same people of gevernment of meles?!!
shame down to your mobile
change life men
love
mira
12/13/07 @ 08:06
Comment from: Wadani [Visitor]
Added up this one point for Meles too.
So far: the Abay car, the strawberry's and the cellphones.
We wait the Jack point.The Asmaraa and Issaia.
Bring him court like Sadam and give Eritrea a new Kilil num.
I think its good idea and easy if Makale and asmara share same Num.I mean same kilil/same language.
However,its one more points for the credit collectors.
So far: the Abay car, the strawberry's and the cellphones.
We wait the Jack point.The Asmaraa and Issaia.
Bring him court like Sadam and give Eritrea a new Kilil num.
I think its good idea and easy if Makale and asmara share same Num.I mean same kilil/same language.
However,its one more points for the credit collectors.
12/13/07 @ 09:55
Comment from: dylandcol [Visitor]
great news.but does it work to send messages outside country.i am living in u.s. my fiancee lives in nazret.her normal text messaging does not even work!we thought it would after millenium but it has not.she has to go all the way to internet cafe to talk with me.if anyone has any advice email me dylandcol yahoo.
thank you for the chance to be heard
thank you for the chance to be heard
12/13/07 @ 10:38
Comment from: F. Kebede [Visitor]
my message is for those people who suggests that ethiopian should use Latin alfabets istead of Geez well that is rubbish geez is much superior than latin or any other similer writing system because first thing once you know the alfabets itis impossible to make a spelling misteak making it easier for us to express ourselves in writing accuretely for what you suggested that it is not text friendly or keyboard friendly I am sure 100%that in the future we will be able to develop our own keybords and mobile phons like the Chinease and Japanese did .
12/13/07 @ 13:04
Comment from: selam [Visitor]
well it is good to have something our own. However, it would be better in stead instead of saying 'wuta', 'giba' , 'temelse', 'merete' minamin kemihone 'yewetu' ,'yemelesu', 'yemeretu';. This way it represents both gender. You know what I mean. Anyway it is just thought!
12/13/07 @ 13:33
Comment from: DZ-Ethiopia [Visitor]
There is a say in Amharic that "Tsidiku kerto bewegu bekonenegn"
12/13/07 @ 13:57
Comment from: lol [Visitor]
are they really developing their language....lol
it never work ...they better learn english
the time is globalization.....lol
12/13/07 @ 19:23
Comment from: lol [Visitor]
it's very funny.....''weta....temelese...meret
they tried...but they r not smart
12/13/07 @ 19:25
Comment from: meseret from lasvegas [Visitor]
good job wonderful keep it allwayes i culdn't understand one thing why discorege each ather
12/13/07 @ 20:01
Comment from: Z-Mike [Visitor]
hi hammere,
Good call man..."embaE entay deA koynka wedey kemziy aynet tsihuf ttsihif. Amharignan tigrignan hade alphabet eyom zitkemu".
Daniel, now you're talking real!
take care
Z-Mike
Good call man..."embaE entay deA koynka wedey kemziy aynet tsihuf ttsihif. Amharignan tigrignan hade alphabet eyom zitkemu".
Daniel, now you're talking real!
take care
Z-Mike
12/13/07 @ 23:08
Comment from: Amanuel [Visitor]
Does it work out of Ethiopia?
I am out of Ethiopia that is the reason.
I am out of Ethiopia that is the reason.
12/14/07 @ 14:03
Comment from: wonffitu [Visitor]
Do you know why i like this 'AMD'/its amharic/ Its like going to a comedy club to have fun and here i find 'amature comedians'(they don't know they are)making me laugh. What can i say i love it.OH! one more thing. YEHA, i did not know until now that Tigrigna uses different alphabet than Amharic hahahahah
12/14/07 @ 14:22
Comment from: Eyob [Visitor]
My friends, let me share with you what I read from the book of 'Indians of the Norhtwest'. It is really an amazing reasoning;"...A nation`s language is a true and reliable index of the mental capacity and intellectual status of its people. A barbarous, mentally undeveloped race cannot originate a systematic, philosophically regular, grammatical language." Waw.. I am proud of our language and alphabet. Take care,
12/14/07 @ 19:10
Comment from: i am proude to be ethiopia [Visitor]
Smart
Smart I feel sorry when I read Ur comment, it was sad for everybody, look in our
Country we have problem to text message or to open the mobile because older
People our young brothers and sisters don’t know how to change screen saver,
Music, alarm etc. because most people don’t know English language. So please stop the naughty comment, we don’t have problems with our government, may be you have. You just want to divede our country in different directions, sp please stop your negative comments. Introducing geez fonts is a good thing to mobile users,
Smart I feel sorry when I read Ur comment, it was sad for everybody, look in our
Country we have problem to text message or to open the mobile because older
People our young brothers and sisters don’t know how to change screen saver,
Music, alarm etc. because most people don’t know English language. So please stop the naughty comment, we don’t have problems with our government, may be you have. You just want to divede our country in different directions, sp please stop your negative comments. Introducing geez fonts is a good thing to mobile users,
12/15/07 @ 09:57
Comment from: eshe [Visitor]
it is a good start. but ethiopian people
deserve more than that, to choose a good se
service given by different compitetors.
by privetizing ETC and allowing more compainies to involve in the business, will give the
peolple the maximum utilization of current technologies.
deserve more than that, to choose a good se
service given by different compitetors.
by privetizing ETC and allowing more compainies to involve in the business, will give the
peolple the maximum utilization of current technologies.
12/15/07 @ 21:12
Comment from: selamta [Visitor]
People, let's be positive about it at least. Technology is the key factor for growth and prosperity, so let's appreciate for the chance to be part of the rest of the world.I don't understand why is every single news connected to one of Wyanes plot?Can anybody answer this to me? We, Ethiopians,are one of the intellegent people in the world, but we have so much negativity and selfishness among us. Therefore, we're one of the poorest country in the world.Let's grow folks! This is not about woyane or kinijit whoever is hungry to assume power, it's about the people of Ethiopia and for the sake of our beloved country, STUPID!!! So have fun texting, communicate each other, share positive ideas and dreams. The rest will take care of itself.
Good day!!
Good day!!
12/16/07 @ 15:36
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