Language

There are many languages are spoken in Eritrea today, with the majority stemming from either the Semitic or the Cushitic families.

The Semitic languages in Eritrea are Arabic (spoken natively by the Rashaida Arabs), Tigre, Tigrinya and the newly recognized Dahlik; these languages (primarily Tigre and Tigrinya) are spoken as a first language by over 80% of the population. The Cushitic languages in Eritrea are just as numerous, including Afar, Beja, Blin, and Saho.

Kunama and Nara are also spoken in Eritrea and belong to the Nilo-Saharan language family.

The local Tigrinya and the wider Arabic language are the two predominant languages for official purposes, with English being spoken to a degree by more educated Eritreans. There are still some speakers of Italian left over from colonial times.