In the first part of this article, we discussed the general background of Tigre language in education, writings and literature as well as the stage it has reached. We also, sufficiently, saw some works accomplished during the period of armed struggle. In this part, we will look into various fields we didn’t cover in the previous part and the status of the language inside and outside Eritrea. This part of the article will also include various professionals who took part in the development process of the language as well as the general impediments faced.

 

Tigre Language after independence

 

The teaching-learning process in Tigre language, which was started during the struggle, continued in full swing after independence. The low acceptance of learning in one’s own mother tongue has also continued along with it. People used to complain: “Since we know our language, while we’re still in our homes, there is no reason to learn it at school! Are we going to teach you or teach us Tigre language? And how can we use it across the border…?”

 

The Ministry of Education has handled this matter at policy level and has also exerted efforts to instil into parents that students will not only learn their languages, but also get various subject matter knowledge through their language.

 

Therefore, there have been various developments that pushed the progress of the language positively after independence. In addition to the text books prepared by the Department of Curriculum of the Ministry of Education, various supplementary reading materials were also published by Cultural Affairs Bureau of the ministry as well as individuals.

 

The radio station for adults (now known as Radio Bana) – run by the Department of Media of the Ministry of Education – started to air programs in Tigre language in 1995. Although it has had some problems of reaching the target areas, its programs are up to the level of the society. The educational programs are aired in the form of dramas, which in their part play important role in the development of literature. The television broadcast in Tigre language that was commenced by Ministry of Information in 2000 is also a first experience; and it also enabled people to see its image in another medium.

 

While all these things were underway, PFDJ has not been totally inactive. It approached Memhir Mussa Aron, a veteran writer and who contributed in the language for a long time, to come back from abroad and prepare a Tigre-Tigre dictionary. The work was undertaken in the form of project within five years realizing a dictionary titled “Kibt Qalat Higya Tigre”. This work was launched along with a booklet meant to help Tigryna speakers to learn how to write Tigre language on October 5, 2005.

 

Memhir Mussa is an exemplary citizen who has tirelessly worked for the development of Tigre as well as Tigryna languages despite health problems and old age. However, it doesn’t mean that he has prepared this dictionary with perfection. It is almost natural that it has some problems which could be corrected in the future since he prepared it from scratch. However, it may not be necessary to go into their analysis but there could also be some problems on the part of some users of the dictionary.

 

Periodicals in Tigre Language

 

No magazine or newspaper in this language with satisfactory distribution and content has been available to date. However, it doesn’t mean there were not any. The monthly newspaper “Geled” – run by NUEYS – published its first issue on September 13, 1996 and could be considered as the precursor of this field in Tigre language. Nonetheless, the number of its readers started to decline gradually; it then became bi-annual and it finally stopped.

 

The trials of the NUEYS did not stop here. A Tigre language version of “Menesey” magazine titled “Takyat” printed its first two-monthly issue in January 2006. Its chances, however, were not different from that of “Geled”. Even if it is still being published, it doesn’t come out regularly – once in two months.

 

In addition, a magazine titled “Rayet” was published twice in the 20^th and 25^th commencement of Maria Schools, whose medium of instruction is Tigre language. It had praiseworthy contents and presentation.

 

There was also a magazine titled “Tsehay Berhet” with spiritual and secular contents that were prepared by Abba Thomas Osman, cardinal of the Catholic Church in Gash-Barka, and Keshi Oqubarebi Hibtes under the umbrella of Eritrean Catholic Church (Barentu branch). It had also continued for five issues until 1998.

 

Outside Eritrea, speakers of this language who live in Sweden in the town of Viekjo published a magazine – “Hedgayt Nisal” – that had raised diverse and multidimensional topics. It published its first issue in 1997. This magazine was edited by Mr. Mahmoud Kiflegiorgis and Mr. Ermias Idris Tujar; however, I don’t think it continued for a long time. “Sa’eyob”, another periodical whose focus was on children, had also begun publication but was faced with the same fate like the ones mentioned above, before it goes to publication.

 

After all these trials, “Eritrea Haddas”, a weekly newspaper (published every Wednesday) commenced its publications on January 2, 2008. Since this government newspaper hasn’t yet developed its own style, it has its own limitations. One of its positive aspects is that it is still being printed unlike those that ran for a few issues and faded. And as it has organized its permanent staff as of 2009, its future appears to be brighter.

 

Tigre Language in the Diaspora

 

Although it can’t match the efforts being exerted within the country, one cannot belittle the initiatives taken for the development of this language in the Diaspora. Most of these steps are taken by Eritrean citizens who live abroad. There are also some foreigners who sometimes take similar initiatives.

 

The efforts of Eritreans who especially live in the town of Viekjo in Sweden were very effective. To mention a few: they started to teach their children in Tigre language starting from 1988; they also started adult education with books previously prepared in 1991; taking advantage of the policy of the country which allows foreigners to develop their language, they established an association namely “Eritrea Mahber Tewerot Higya Tigre” in 1992 and started to conduct their activities under its umbrella.

 

They have also had a radio station that broadcasts in Tigre language since 1994. About 70 Eritreans actively involve themselves in this endeavour. The following are a few among them: Mahmoud Kiflegiorgis, Ermias Idris Tujar, Sarah, Hiwet, Ellen, Paulos Abraha, Abdellah Tedros, Tiebe, Idris Shanino and Mohammed Cheway. Memhir Mussa Aaron was also part of this endeavour while living first in Kenya and then in Canada.

 

These nationals who lived abroad had also extended their contributions in support of the efforts being exerted within the country. For instance, when “Geled” newspaper printed its first issues, the first positive feedback was given by the association cited above. On the fax message sent on November 10, 1996 by the representative of the association, Mr. Mahmoud Kiflegiorgis, they assured that they will fully support the newspaper in all its activities. Keeping their word, they supported it to the end by granting it assistances for computer and vehicle.

 

As it deserves mentioning here, on the preparations of about five books of children stories and language, they gave me morale and material support too. When “Eritrea Hadas” kicked off, their assistance didn’t wane.  Especially, the initiatives taken by Mr. Ermias Idris and his wife Mrs. Hiwet deserve special credit.

 

Moreover, there are also some universities abroad that teach Tigre language. Some of them also conduct researches and organize workshops regarding this language. For instance, there was a workshop on history of the people and language of Tigre organized by Universita Di Napoli L’Orientale on February 7-8, 2008.  In addition to this university, there is another university by the name in Berlin, Germany, that teaches Tigre language.

 

Along with the endeavours taken aboard, we can consider those activities undertaken in the Sudan. As was mentioned in the first part of this article, Tigre language is also spoken in the eastern parts of the Sudan. There are also efforts taken for the development of the language in that country.

 

In the town of Kessela, eastern Sudan, there is a radio station that broadcasts its health and cultural programs in Tigre language every Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning. There is also unverified information that there is a Tigre-Arabic dictionary in that country.

 

It is possible to add momentum in the development of the language to forge cooperation with the works being accomplished in the Sudan (not only in Tigre language but also in Bidawyet language). However, the imaginary line drawn by colonizers in Berlin in 1884 has still played its negative role by leaving various peoples divided.

 

Tigre Language in Translation

 

No need of expositions about the importance of translation works in the development of a certain language and society. It is not uncommon between peoples to make use of translation works so as to exchange their civilizations. What does the condition of translation works in Tigre language look like at this time?

 

Translation works, in the first place, have two aspects. One is works written in that language and translated into other languages. If we start with this first aspect of translation, there has not been satisfactory works conducted so far. The book “Digim Kil’e Mensa’e” written by the Swedish cleric Karl Gustav Roden (in 1913) was translated into Arabic by Mr. Mohammed Idris Humeday. It was published and distributed in February 1995. “Adgamat Bedir Egil Hadis Gim” another book of Tigre folktales has been translated into English by Ministry of Education and has been in the schools since 2007.

 

In addition, in the translation work of poems “Who Needs a Story?” prepared by Prof. Charles Cantalupo and Dr. Ghirmai Negash, there are three Tigre poems included in translation version. They are “Nzeker” by Paulos Netabay, “Iltdekel” by Mussa Mohammed Adem and “Juket” by Mohammed Said Osman. There is also unconfirmed information that some works of the famous poet Mohammed Osman Kejeray have been translated into Arabic in the Sudan.

 

In the second aspect of translation – works of other languages translated into Tigre – they are numerous relative to those stated above. In addition to the book I learned and taught with during the struggle period, “Mebatir Keyiht Enboba”, numerous books on politics were translated into Tigre. That is because the major literary work conducted during the struggle period was translation.

 

One work from that period is “Hakim Ber” (Bare Foot Doctor) translated by Mr. Mengis Ghebre. It is a work that should be commended leaving out the problems in the naming of body parts that arose from dialect differences may be.

 

Recently, 20 books meant to raise children’s awareness about their rights were translated from the languages of Kunama and Tigrigna by Citizens for Peace, a local organization lead by Prof. Asmerom Legesse. A few of these 20 books were written in Tigre.

 

Moreover, “Kiya 18 Deqayq”, a book written by Solomon Dirar, was translated and published by Hidri Publishers in 2002. Some of the works of late Mr. Nayzghi Weldu (Wed Hayget), one of the founders of the Voice of the Masses (Tigre Service), have been retained for posterity with some changes.

 

In the past few years, two works of history, “Aynfelale” and “Federation Eritrea with Ethiopia”, by Mr. Alemseged Tesfay, an Eritrean historian, have been translated into Tigre. The work was done by three individuals namely Adem Saleh Abuharish, Mohammed Idris and Omer Abib. Three of them studied and taught in that language; they have also shown promising translation works previously. “Aynfelale” has already been published and is in the market, while the other one is on the polishing stage to be ready for printing.

 

There are also various works that were translated and aired through radio of the Voice of the Masses but haven’t yet got the chance of being published. For instance, “Wefri Sigre-Dob” written by Solomon Berhe and translated by Mussa Mender and was aired on radio. The author of the book confirmed the standard of the translation work saying that the translation work was better than the original one.

 

Moreover, the novel “Qedyet Alqadi” by the Egyptian woman writer Semiha Kahloni was translated into Tigre by Memhir Hamid Abdella Adem; it was aired on radio and was well received by the audience. It is my personal belief that it could add some variety to the Tigre literature if it is published in a book form. Although the translator stated his inability to publish it, he hasn’t also shown interest to publish it.

 

The Advent of Professionals in the Ethnic Group

 

When we talk about a book, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, translation, drama, film…, it is understood that we are also talking about authors, writers, directors, editors, composers, journalists, translators, poets…. These individuals could be amateurs, beginners or professionals. Their advent in the society is, though a blessing to the development of the language. One of the advantages of the workshops conducted in the past enabled us to find out who has got what talent.

 

For instance, in the last workshop that assessed Tigre literature (December 2008), Memhir Adem Ali presented a research paper. The paper attested that there are not only the professionals stated above available in that language, but also critics who could guide the works of those professionals were not far away.

 

Each of the nine papers presented in the workshop had its own unique feature. They helped in assessing the talents of each presenter as well as of those who discussed them.

 

Conclusion

 

Over the last 150 years, not less than 100 books on diverse subject-matters have been produced in Tigre language. It is a development that could be considered as a driving force. Especially the measures taken at this moment are very promising. For instance, over 90% of the decisions and recommendations forwarded at the workshop on standardized usage of Tigre language in mass media have been implemented on time. Where too many intangible and hollow promises are very common in the world we live in, to find deeds justifying words is such a novel happening indeed. The time management and handling of issues in the last symposium on assessment of Tigre literature were highly admirable.

 

The government policy appears to have left open the field for everyone interested to use their potentials. Before such an opportunity passes us by, we should make use of it. On this moment, Tigre language is laying grounds for the coming generation and its future. Establishing the basis of any task is a part that needs the highest attention and caution, because, what we build on a hastily set base would only be unsafe.

 

One element that many people consider negative in the efforts for the development of Tigre language is lack of coordination.

 

However, the collaborative artistic work presented by various Tigre artists on the opening ceremony of the symposium on assessing Tigre literature was a proof not only that unity is strength, but also that diversity has its own beauty. When one’s steps are coordinated and directed forwards, they certainly turn out to be big jumps. Jumps towards common development! Jumps for communal progress!