Linguistic Culture in Somalia
Somalia, probably named - as narrated - after the legendary father of the Somali people, Samaal (or Samale), is a country rich in cultural diversity and heritage. The Somali language is spoken by ethnic Somalia, Djibouti, and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya. In addition to Somali, many Somalis speak Arabic, due to centuries-old ties with the Arab World, the far-reaching influence of the Arabic media, and religious education. A small percentage of Somalis also speak Italian, and a growing number speak English. One of the most fascinating aspects of Somali culture is its linguistic landscape, which is characterized by a unique blend of Arabic and Somali languages. This linguistic fusion has shaped the country's identity and plays a significant role in its social, religious, and educational spheres.
According to a report done in 2012 by New York University, the Somali language belongs to the Eastern Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. It is spoken by approximately 15 million people in Somalia and serves as the official language of communication within the country. Somali has a rich oral tradition, with poetry being an integral part of its cultural heritage. It is known for its complex morphology, with an intricate system of noun classes and verb conjugations.
Somali accents are divided into two main groups: The standard (Maxaa Tiri), spoken by most Somalis, and (Maay) dialogue, spoken primarily in the inter-riverine areas (vicinity of the Shabelle or Juba Rivers) of the south (who are also familiar with standard Somali). The shocking thing is that Maay speakers can understand Maxaa Tiri speakers, but not vice versa.
An Arabic/Somali verse from the Quran. Credit to e-quran.com
On the other hand, Arabic holds immense religious importance for Somalis due to their predominantly Muslim population. Islam was introduced to Somalia in the 7th century through Arab traders and missionaries, leading to the adoption of Arabic as a ritual language for Muslims. Consequently, Arabic has become deeply intertwined with Somali culture, particularly within religious practices. As reported by Al-Jazeera, Arabic words that have been assimilated into everyday Somali speech can reach up to 40% of the language vocabulary.
A letter written 94 years ago using Arabic script by a Somali man in Barbara replying to his wife in Bur’o, and how it would have been written using Latin characters.
These loanwords often relate to trade, religion, administration, or cultural practices. For instance, words like "salaam" (peace), "masaajid" (mosque), "jaamacad" (university), "basal" (onion), or "wasaarad" (ministry) are commonly used by Somalis. Not only words are used in Somali but also phrases and sentences, such as "mac salaamo" (goodbye) and "Alxamdulilaah" (thanks god). Furthermore, the majority of people names are Arabic including Ahmed, Mohammed, Abdullah,… etc.
The blend of Arabic and Somali languages extends beyond spoken communication; it also influences written texts, such as literature or religious manuscripts. Classical Arabic remains highly respected among scholars who study Islamic theology or engage in Quranic exegesis. Many Somalis pursue religious education at "madrasa" (Islamic schools) where they learn to read and write Arabic script alongside studying Islamic teachings.
A century ago, Somali was written in Arabic letters, but in recent years, efforts were made to standardize written Somali by adopting Latin script instead of traditional Arabic script used previously. In October 1972, the former President Mohamed Siad issued an order to write Somali in the Latin alphabet and obligated people to do so. This shift aims to enhance literacy rates among Somalis while preserving their cultural heritage through a more accessible writing system.
