Tigrai: orthographic forms, uses, and trends

This study was carried out to explore the multiple orthographic forms that are used in reference to Tigrai (embracing the people, the language as well as the land) and describe the corresponding reasons and/or explanations. Data that shows how the set of words or forms are used in writing and speech was based on selected sources that depict the said instances at different periods. These include books, articles, and names of organizations. The multiplicity of and confusions associated with the orthographic forms that refer to the names of the language, the people, and the land are partly to do with the influences of other languages and/or speakers as well as lack of specifying and/or using an appropriate form (or forms). In addition, the problem appears to have been always there as is made evident in the works that have been consulted. Given the compelling evidence for the use of “Tigrai” to refer to the language, the people, and the region, it is important to specify this orthographic form and its corresponding forms and equivalents as well as the set of affixes.