What is the official language of Egypt?
Egypt - Egypt - Languages: The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and most Egyptians speak one of several vernacular dialects of that language. As is the case in other Arab countries, the spoken vernacular differs greatly from the literary language. Modern literary Arabic (often called Modern Standard Arabic or al-fuṣḥā, “clear” Arabic), which developed out of Classical, or …
Is Egyptian Arabic a second language?
Spoken language is Modern Standard Arabic; the colloquial language is the Egyptian-Arabic dialect (Masri). Egypt has the largest Muslim population in the Arab world; an estimated 85-90% of the population is Sunni Muslim, 10–15% are Coptic Christians.
Is Sudanese a language in Egypt?
For almost 13 centuries Arabic has been the written and spoken language of Egypt. Before the Arab invasion in AD 639, Coptic, the language descended from ancient Egyptian, was the language of both religious and everyday life for the mass of the population; by the 12th century, however, it had been totally replaced by Arabic, continuing only as a liturgical language for the …
What are the different types of Arabic languages?
27/07/2018 · Etymology Egypt. The current English name “Egypt” as we know it today originated from an ancient Greek word through Middle French... Misr. In the Qurans written in classical Arabic, Egypt is known as “Misr,” which is a name of Semitic roots. Kemet. This name holds a reference to the black and ...
How many languages are spoken in Egypt?
According to Ethnologue, there are 16 individual living languages spoken in Egypt.11-Nov-2019
Is Egyptian and Arabic the same language?
Egyptian is a dialect of the Arabic language, which is part of the Afro-Asiatic language family. It originated in the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt.
Is Egypt in Africa or Asia?
Egypt (Arabic: مِصر, romanized: Miṣr), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
What's hello in Egyptian?
Useful Egyptian Arabic phrasesEnglish(Egyptian Arabic) اللغه المصريه الحديثهWelcome(ahlan wa sahlan) أهلاً و سهلاًHello (General greeting)(is salām 'alaykum) ألسّلام عليكم rsp - (wa 'alaykum is salām) وعليكم السّلام (ahlan wa sahlan) أهلاً و سهلاً rsp - (ahlan beek) أهلاً بيك inf - (ahlan) أهلاً46 more rows
What language do Egyptians speak?
Transportation. Egypt portal. v. t. e. Egyptians speak a continuum of dialects. The predominant dialect in Egypt is Egyptian Colloquial Arabic or Masri / Masry ( مصرى Egyptian ), which is the vernacular language. Literary Arabic is the official language and the most widely written.
How many people speak Nubian?
In the Upper Nile Valley,around Kom Ombo and Aswan, there are about 300,000 speakers of Nubian languages, mainly Nobiin, but also Kenuzi-Dongola. A Bedouin Sinai minority speaks a variety of Bedouin Arabic mostly in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt's Asian lands.
When was the first French school in Egypt?
The first French-medium schools in Egypt were established in 1836. By the end of the nineteenth century it had become the dominant foreign language in Egypt and the lingua franca of foreigners; this was especially the case in Cairo. French became the primary foreign language in media during the rule of Ibrahim Pasha.
What is the most widely understood Arabic language in the Middle East?
Of the many varieties of Arabic, Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood first dialect in the Middle East-North Africa, probably due to the influence of Egyptian cinema and music industry throughout the Arabic-speaking world.
Where is Siwi spoken?
Retrieved 15 April 2011. ^ Siwi (siwi or žlan n isiwan) is a Berber language spoken at the oasis of Siwa in western Egypt (Matrūħ Province), about 500 km west of the Nile and 250 km south of the Mediterranean coast, by a little less than 15,000 people, forming a majority of the oasis' population.
What is the most widely used language in Egypt?
There are also many English language universities in Egypt, the BUE ( British University in Egypt ), the FUE ( Future University in Egypt ), Nile University, the AUC ( American University in Cairo) and more. English is the most widely used language in tourism. Nowadays, the majority of the road signs in Egypt are written both in Arabic and English.
What are the two languages of Egypt?
Historical languages. Main articles: Egyptian language and Coptic language. Other Egyptian languages (also known as Copto-Egyptian) consist of ancient Egyptian and Coptic , and form a separate branch among the family of Afro-Asiatic languages.
What language did ancient Egypt speak?
Languages Spoken In Egypt. The language of ancient Egypt was among the first written languages in the world. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language of the African country of Egypt and is used in most written documents and taught in schools across the country.
How many people speak Sudanese Arabic?
It is spoken by 1.6% of the population in Egypt. Sudanese Arabic is most prevalent among Sudanese immigrants, and it is linguistically distinct from Egyptian Arabic. Egypt is home to the largest number of Sudanese immigrants and refugees than any other African country.
Where did Arabic originate?
The language first developed in the Nile Delta near Cairo, where the first Islamic Capital was located. The variety of Arabic was the language spoken by the Arab invaders during the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th century. The mixture fused with the locally spoken Coptic language and other languages such as Turkish, Ottoman, French, and Italian.
What languages did Egypt colonize?
Colonization of Egypt facilitated the spread of western languages such as English and French, which are associated with ...
Where is the Nobiin language from?
At a prevalence of 0.3% is the Nobiin language which is native to the Nubian people, concentrated along the banks of River Nile in Egypt and Sudan. The language has been classified as threatened due to the rapid urbanization and consequent spread of other common languages.
What languages did the colonization of Egypt facilitate?
Colonization of Egypt facilitated the spread of western languages such as English and French, which are associated with the elite and affluent in modern Egypt. The Languages spoken in Egypt are discussed below:
What is the most widely spoken language in Egypt?
Egyptian Arabic. Although Modern Standard Arabic is the official language, Egyptian Arabic is the most widely spoken among the languages spoken in Egypt. It is also the de facto national language in the country.
What language do Egyptians speak?
Languages of Egypt. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and most Egyptians speak one of several vernacular dialects of that language. As is the case in other Arab countries, the spoken vernacular differs greatly from the literary language. Modern literary Arabic (often called Modern Standard Arabic or al-fuṣḥā, “clear” Arabic), ...
Which desert has a dialect?
One of these is the dialect of the Bedouin of the Eastern Desert and of the Sinai Peninsula; the Bedouin of the Western Desert constitute a separate dialect group. Upper Egypt has its own vernacular, markedly different from that of Cairo.
Where is the University of Al-Azhar?
The country has long been a centre of Islamic scholarship, and al-Azhar University —located in Cairo —is widely considered the world’s preeminent institution of Islamic learning. Likewise, many Muslims, even those outside Egypt, consider al-Azhar’s sheikhs to be among the highest religious authorities in the Sunni world.
What is the border between Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea?
The country has a coastline at the Mediterranean Sea in north, and the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea in east. It is bordered by Libya in west, the Palestinian territory (Gaza Strip) and Israel in north east, and Sudan in south. Egypt shares maritime borders with Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Which dynasty built the pyramids?
The pyramids at Giza (near Cairo), which were built in the fourth dynasty, testify the power of the pharaonic religion and state. Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world. Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II.
When did Egypt become independent?
Modern Egypt became independent in 1922. From 1958 until 1961 Egypt was united with Syria as the United Arab Republic. The Arab Republic of Egypt (the official name) covers an area of 1 million km², this is almost twice the size of France or more than twice the size of the U.S. State of California.
Who was the ruler of Egypt in 3100 B.C.?
Country Profile. Background: In about 3100 B.C., Egypt was united under a ruler known as Mena, or Menes, who inaugurated the 30 pharaonic dynasties into which Egypt's ancient history is divided -- the Old and the Middle Kingdoms and the New Empire.
Is Egypt a media?
Today, the Egypt state is a major force in the media and runs many TV and radio stations, websites, newspapers and magazines. But most pro-Islamist media have been closed, or broadcast now from abroad. Press. State Information Service SIS.
What is the capital of Egypt?
Capital and largest city is Cairo. Spoken language are modern Standard Arabic, colloquial language is the Egyptian-Arabic dialect. Egypt is a country with a predominantly Muslim population, about 87% of Egyptians are Sunni Muslim. Islam religion controls many aspects of social life and is endorsed by law.
When did Hosni Mubarak rule Egypt?
Hosni Mubarak ruled the country since 14 October 1981. The former Egyptian politician and military commander was ousted after 18 days of demonstrations during the what is today known as the 2011 Egyptian revolution. (Source: various sources) Egypt is a member state of the League of Arab States. Official Name:
What language did Egypt speak?
For almost 13 centuries Arabic has been the written and spoken language of Egypt. Before the Arab invasion in AD 639, Coptic, the language descended from ancient Egyptian, was the language of both religious and everyday life for the mass of the population; by the 12th century, however, it had been totally replaced by Arabic, ...
How far in advance should you confirm a meeting in Egypt?
Confirm the meeting one week in advance, either in writing or by telephone. Reconfirm again a day or two before the meeting. Meetings are generally not private unless there is a need to discuss matters confidentially. In general, Egyptians have an open-door policy, even when they are in a meeting.
What are the social classes in Egypt?
The social class an Egyptian is born into dictates their everyday life and the opportunities they will have. There are three social classes: upper, middle, and lower. Status is defined more by family background than by absolute wealth. There is little social mobility.
Why is kinship important?
Kinship plays an important role in all social relations. The individual is always subordinate to the family, tribe or group. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it is patronage of one's family. The family consists of both the nuclear and the extended family.
What book did Muhammad bring to the Bible?
As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion. Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
How many hours of fasting are allowed during Ramadan?
During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.
Where did Islam originate?
Islam is practised by the majority of Egyptians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind.
What is the most advanced civilization in the world?
Egypt was among the most advanced civilizations on the planet with massive leaps in writing, urbanization, organized religion, and others. For this reason, ancient Egypt is considered to be a cradle of civilization.
Which country borders Egypt?
On the African side, Egypt is bordered by Libya and Sudan to the west and south respectively. On the Asian side, the east is bound by the Gulf of Aqaba, the northeast by Israel and the Gaza Strip, while the east and south are further bound by the Red Sea.
Where was Egypt built?
Egypt's ancient civilization was built along the Nile River. Egypt is transcontinental nation spanning from the northern region of Africa all the way to the southwest of Asia via a bridge in the form of the Sinai Peninsula. On the African side, Egypt is bordered by Libya and Sudan to the west and south respectively.
What is the name of the desert in Egypt?
In ancient Egyptian, the country’s name was “Kemet.” This name holds a reference to the black and fertile soils that are lying in the Nile floodplains. In contrast, the word for a desert, which typically has red sand, was “deshret” which translates to the desert’s red land. Even though the name is pronounced as kemet in modern times, scholars argue that it was probably pronounced differently during its time. When the Egyptian language was in the Coptic phase, the name was slightly altered to “kēme” while in Greek it was further altered to “Khēmía” (Χημία).
Where did the name Egypt come from?
The current English name “Egypt” as we know it today originated from an ancient Greek word through Middle French and Latin. The ancient Greek word is “Aígyptos,” which was “Egypte” in Middle French and “Aegyptus” in Latin.
Overview
History
The Egyptian language is conventionally grouped into six major chronological divisions:
• Archaic Egyptian (before 2600 BC), the reconstructed language of the Early Dynastic Period,
• Old Egyptian (c. 2600 – 2000 BC), the language of the Old Kingdom,
Classification
The Egyptian language belongs to the Afroasiatic language family. Among the typological features of Egyptian that are typically Afroasiatic are its fusional morphology, nonconcatenative morphology, a series of emphatic consonants, a three-vowel system /a i u/, nominal feminine suffix *-at, nominal m-, adjectival *-ī and characteristic personal verbal affixes. Of the other Afroasiatic branches, linguists have variously suggested that the Egyptian language shares its greatest affin…
Dialects
Most hieroglyphic Egyptian texts are written in a literary prestige register rather than the vernacular speech variety of their author. As a result, dialectical differences are not apparent in written Egyptian until the adoption of the Coptic alphabet. Nevertheless, it is clear that these differences existed before the Coptic period. In one Late Egyptian letter (dated c. 1200 BC), a scribe jokes that his colleague's writing is incoherent like “the speech of a Delta man with a man of Elephantine.”
Writing systems
Most surviving texts in the Egyptian language are written on stone in hieroglyphs. The native name for Egyptian hieroglyphic writing is zẖꜣ n mdw-nṯr ("writing of the gods' words"). In antiquity, most texts were written on perishable papyrus in hieratic and (later) demotic. There was also a form of cursive hieroglyphs, used for religious documents on papyrus, such as the Book of the Dead of the Twentieth Dynasty; it was simpler to write than the hieroglyphs in stone inscriptions, but it was n…
Phonology
While the consonantal phonology of the Egyptian language may be reconstructed, the exact phonetics are unknown, and there are varying opinions on how to classify the individual phonemes. In addition, because Egyptian is recorded over a full 2000 years, the Archaic and Late stages being separated by the amount of time that separates Old Latin from Modern Italian, significant phonetic changes must have occurred during that lengthy time frame.
Morphology
Egyptian is fairly typical for an Afroasiatic language in that at the heart of its vocabulary is most commonly a root of three consonants, but there are sometimes only two consonants in the root: rꜥ(w) [riːʕa] "sun" (the [ʕ] is thought to have been something like a voiced pharyngeal fricative). Larger roots are also common and can have up to five consonants: sḫdḫd "be upside-down".
Vowels and other consonants are added to the root to derive different meanings, as Arabic, Hebr…
Syntax
Old Egyptian, Classical Egyptian, and Middle Egyptian have verb-subject-object as the basic word order. However, that changed in the later stages of the language, including Late Egyptian, Demotic and Coptic.
The equivalent to "the man opens the door" would be a sentence that would correspond, in the language's earlier stages, to "opens the man the door" (wn s ꜥꜣ). The so-called construct statec…
Overview
Egyptians speak a continuum of dialects. The predominant dialect in Egypt is Egyptian Colloquial Arabic or Masri/Masry (مصرى Egyptian), which is the vernacular language. Literary Arabic is the official language and the most widely written. The Coptic language is used primarily by Egyptian Copts and it is the liturgical language of Coptic Christianity.
Official language
Literary Arabic is the official language of Egypt, which is the liturgical language of Islam, the majority religion and state religion of Egypt.
Main spoken language
Egyptian Arabic is the commonly spoken language, based on the dialect of Cairo, and is occasionally written in Arabic script, or in Arabic chat alphabet mostly on new communication services.
Of the many varieties of Arabic, Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood first dialect in the Middle East-North Africa, probably due to the influence of Egyptian cinemaand music industry thr…
Minority languages
In southern Egypt, Saidi Arabic is the main spoken language for most people.
In the Upper Nile Valley, around Kom Ombo and Aswan, there are about 300,000 speakers of Nubian languages, mainly Nobiin, but also Kenuzi-Dongola.
A Bedouin Sinai minority speaks a variety of Bedouin Arabic mostly in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt's Asian lands.
Sign languages
The only sign language known to be used in Egypt is Egyptian Sign Language. It is known to be used in Alexandria and Cairo, and possibly other regions. Regional variation is reported anecdotally but not documented.
Foreign languages
Most educated people in Egypt study English at school. There are also many English language universities in Egypt, the BUE (British University in Egypt), the FUE (Future University in Egypt), Nile University, the AUC (American University in Cairo) and more. English is the most widely used language in tourism. Nowadays, the majority of the road signs in Egypt are written both in Arabic an…
Historical languages
Other Egyptian languages (also known as Copto-Egyptian) consist of ancient Egyptian and Coptic, and form a separate branch among the family of Afro-Asiatic languages. The Egyptian language is among the first written languages, and is known from hieroglyphic inscriptions preserved on monuments and sheets of papyrus. The Coptic language, the only extant descendant of Egyptian, is today the liturgical language of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
External links
• Ethnologue page on "Languages of Egypt"
• PanAfriL10n page on Egypt
• Linguistic situation in Egypt (in French)
• Egyptian Language History