​Tigrinya, an Ethio-Semitic language, is widely spoken in Northern Ethiopia, Tigray and Eritrea. It also serves as a language of communication for the global diaspora originating from these regions. While Tigrinya displays notable differences from the Geʽez (Classical Ethiopic) language, such as the use of phrasal verbs and a word order that positions the main verb at the end of the sentence instead of the beginning, there exists a significant influence of Geʽez on Tigrinya literature.

 

This influence is particularly evident in terms related to Christian life, Biblical names, and other religious aspects. Historically, Ge'ez played a crucial role as a literary medium, owing to its cultural significance in Ethiopian culture and its relatively straightforward structure, a role that persisted until relatively recent times.