Sunday, September 27, 2020

S01 E02: Languages and Prehistory

Hello everyone. As promised, here's the accompanying image for this episode. This is Ge'ez script, a system of writing still used today in Ethiopia in the Amharic and Tigrinya languages.

Also, I'd like to issue a quick correction about a small error in the episode. I listed Tigrinya as the official language of Eritrea. However, this is not true. Eritrea has no official language, but rather several nationally recognized languages. Tigrinya is the most widely spoken and is thus generally used as a working language throughout the country, followed by the closely related Tigre language, so I incorrectly assumed that it was official. Another small error was that I incorrectly stated that the rainshadow in Ethiopia moves East-West, while the correct statement is a bit more complicated. Moist winds blow across the southern coast of Arabia, then curl southwest. This new southwestern wind is absorbed by the highlands of Ethiopia and contributes to the dry climate of northern Somalia. 

I'd additionally like to comment on my use of the word Pygmy to describe the peoples of Central Africa. I'm aware that generally people from these groups prefer not to be called pygmy, and prefer to be referred to by their individual ethnic group. However, I couldn't find a better term to be used to describe these peoples collectively. If anyone has a better term, please submit a comment with a suggestion. Until then, have a splendid day everyone!

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