THE AFAR LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

Resolutions reached  by the Conference concerning progress in writing  the Afar language

 

A conference was held in Uppsala between May 21- 25th  2007, attended by delegates from Djibouti, Etirtrea, Ethiopia and some European countries.

 

The agenda  considered 4 questions.

namely:

1.      The present stage of development in writing of the Afar language

2.       Difficulties encountered up to the present time

3.      Solutions remaining to be considered

4.    future development to envisaged concerning the writing of the Afar language

4.      Future development

 

These 4 talking points concerned the stages reached  and the difficulties encountered to date. Difficulties resolved and  under consideration were thoroughly examined.

The first 3 itemes on the agenda required extensive discussion and deliberation. Also the delegates spent considerable time discussing progress regarding the Afar script. 

It was evident that there were at least three possible choices.

1.                                      3 using Arabic script

2.                                      5 ’’’’’  Latin ’’’’’’

3.                                      4 ’’’’’’invented scripts

 

So far there are 3 countries where versions of the Latin script are in use. Djibouti, Ethiopia both use the same, while the Eritreaan script differs with regard to 3 litters. The discussion resulted in four possibillites in recording the Afar language.

1.      The necessity to resolve the issue concerning the renderings of the 3 letters as soon as possible

2.      Responsible Afar from the 3 countries  need to make progress in presenting wise councel

3.      It is necessary for competent language experts to examine and record progress and resolve difficulties and problems named

4.      Progress in resolving the issues in every situation need to be considered at a yearly conference.

 

Finally, those gathered at this vital and valuable conference both in their own names and as representatives of the Afar people wish to render hearfelt thanks to Afar Friends in Sweden, Sida, ABF, Forum Syd and for organising and making this important conference possible.

 

Uppsal , May 25th  2007

Afar Friends in Sweden