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Ethiopia: Meaning and use of the word "Ato"; whether the name "Tsega" can also be spelled "Tsegaye"

In correspondence to the Research Directorate, a professor of African languages and culture at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London and a professor of linguistics and African languages at Michigan State University (MSU) both explained that "Ato" in the Amharic language is the equivalent of "Mr." and is used widely by Ethiopians of various linguistic backgrounds (Professor of languages 15 Mar. 2006; Professor of linguistics 15 Mar. 2006).

The word "Tsega," which can also be spelled "Tsegga" (Professor of languages 15 Mar. 2006), means "grace" or "virtue" (ibid.; Professor of linguistics 15 Mar. 2006). "Tsega" is used either as a proper name or as part of a proper name (Professor of languages 15 Mar. 2006). "Tsegaye," however, means "my grace" or "my virtue" (ibid.; Professor of linguistics 15 Mar. 2006) – the suffix "ye" meaning "my" (ibid.) – and is a personal name that has as its equivalent in Tigrinya (the language used in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia) the name "Tsegay" (Professor of languages 15 Mar. 2006). "Tsega" and "Tsegaye" are two "separate and distinct personal names," the professor of African languages at SOAS pointed out (ibid.). According to the linguistics professor at Michigan State University, both "Tsega" and "Tsegaye" are common given names among Ethiopians of various linguistic backgrounds but it would be unusual to see the two used interchangeably in reference to the same person (Professor of linguistics 15 Mar. 2006). While the professor is aware that "Tsegaye" is a masculine name, he has never heard the name "Tsega" used for men, rather, it is probably used for women (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

References

Professor of African languages and culture, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. 15 March 2006. Correspondence.

Professor of linguistics and African languages, Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing. 15 March 2006. Correspondence.