Somaliland Language

Somaliland Language

Somaliland Language: Somali is the home language of nearly all Somalilanders, making this one of the most linguistically homogenous countries in Africa. It is a Cushitic language, part of the same linguistic subgroup that includes Oromo and Afar, both of which are spoken in parts of Ethiopia. Prior to 1972, several different unofficial scripts were used to transcribe the Somali language. However, the official script throughout the region is now the same Romanic one used to write English and most other European languages, albeit with a few local variations. 

Arabic has been widely spoken in Somaliland for centuries, particularly by the educated elite and coastal traders, and it still forms part of the school curriculum. English is not as commonly encountered, but the majority of returned emigrants who form a substantial part of the urban population speak it to a very high standard.