Recently, a new Tigrinya-Tigrinya dictionary entitled, “Modern Dictionary using New Methods,” was published by Dr. Kidanemariam Zerzghi. The 1,200-page dictionary introduced a new alphabetical order for the Tigrinya language. Here is an interview conducted with Dr. Kidanemariam regarding his newly published dictionary.

Could you introduce us to yourself?

I was born in 1931. When I completed 4th grade, we were told that we had to teach. But, I didn’t accept interrupting my education, though most of the students were eager to be employed for 6 pounds. Then, our teacher told me that I could do nothing but teach. I thought why the British didn’t teach by themselves. When my teacher told me that they were the experts; because they acquired much knowledge, I was eager to learn as much as I could.

In short, I traveled long and worked tirelessly to continue my education. Then the Catholic Church gave me an opportunity to continue my education in Keren. Keren was not my last destination for acquiring what I wanted. Then I was fortunate to travel from Eritrea to Italy and from Italy to Switzerland. Finally, I received my PhD in economics from Freiberg University of Switzerland.

What prompted you to write a dictionary?

At first I tried to publish an English-Tigrinya dictionary for Eritreans in the Diaspora and especially for the youth born and raised there. However, due to some technical errors with the Geez Alphabets, I couldn’t do it. Then I prepared a new alphabetical order for the Tigrinya language in 1985 and it was published in 1990.

The title of the dictionary could be translated into, Modern Dictionary using New Methods. What are the new methods and what differentiate them from other similar works?

The traditional alphabetical order of the Tigrinya language is difficult to memorize, especially for beginners and non native speakers. So, based on this I started to think of means that could ease the problem and finally I came with this one. The book has new methods of finding a word in the dictionary which is not available in other dictionaries.

Was there any reason that forced you to think of that?

While we were in Vienna, Austria, in 1985, my young son asked me to teach him his language. He mastered German and English only. When he said so I felt very happy. Then one day I wrote all the alphabets and showed him. “Dad do you want me to memorize all these?” he was disappointed. I told him that it is simple and that all of us learned them. So, if I had to satisfy his interest I had to look for something simpler.

What was the new method you found? And was it practical?

The Tigrinya alphabets differ on structure. So, based on such difference, I tried to reduce the 41 alphabets into 21 which were easier for ordering and memorizing. When I started to teach my soon using this way, he began to recognize the alphabets within 4-5 days. We also introduced it in two schools in Washington and students were able to memorize the alphabets within a week to a month. Then, some Eritreans in the Diaspora encouraged me to publish it for interested people for it was helpful for learning Tigrinya.

When was this?

It was in 1985 that I prepared the new alphabetical order. But, due to lack of resource, I couldn’t publish it on time. Some Ethiopians new about the new methods and asked me to give them the project and they would pay me the loyalty. But, I was not willing to give it to them.

In 1990, the EPLF new about my work and send me a letter of acknowledgement and it was published during that year.

You studied economics; but you are much interested in linguistics. What is the reason?

From the start I was interested in linguistics and science. I didn’t spend my time reading entertaining or romantic writings. When I was a child, I used to hear what the elders say during different occasions that were held near our home in Segenaity. That was the biggest occasion for me to know Tigrinya. Before that, since I was raised in Massawa, I only knew Arabic. And my son’s ambition also motivated me to be more interested.

How did you find writing a dictionary?

I tried to alleviate the difficulties of finding a word in a Tigrinya dictionary. It took me 10 years to prepare the dictionary. It cost me lots of energy and time and I hope it would play a significant role. The new alphabetical order is not only for a dictionary but also for other works that require alphabetical order. For instance, we do not have a telephone directory written in Tigrinya. When you ask the reason, you are told that because it is difficult. But, applying this new method, it is easier than the English alphabetical order.

It could help new learners to memorize the alphabets and it could also reduce the time that students spend in memorizing the older method.

Are there any mistakes that you didn’t notice?

I don’t think that there such a problem. There could be some minor errors that I didn’t fully explain or that I didn’t notice. What basically I tried to do was look for ways that develop the language based on its originality. If there are any mistakes I welcome everybody to bring them to my notice.

What are your future plans?

First of all I am expecting my readers’ feedback. We have published only 2000 copies for the local readers in this first edition. We will also publish for Eritreans in the Diaspora. The local price, compared to the expenses that went into its publication is not high.