Socotri is the native language of Socotra, an archipelago that’s part of Yemen. Most of the approximately 50,000 inhabitants are Socotri people from the Al Mahrah tribe. Their language is one of the oldest in southern Arabia.
Socotri is a semitic language related to other languages spoken on the Arabian mainland, including Mehri. It is used not just for everyday communication, but also for the rich tradition of poetry on the island.
Of course, as is the case with so many minority languages, today Socotri is under threat. Recognising its importance, in 2026, the Socotri Language Center for Studies and Research, supported by UNESCO, held a special day dedicated to the language and its cultural and intellectual importance.
One of the most hopeful signs for the future? A new digital platform with keyboard layouts for laptops and mobile phones, making it easier to integrate the use of Socotri into an increasingly globalised world, and into formal educational curriculums.
And in case you were wondering – yes, 101translations can also translate into Socotri.
Photo Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-tree-with-a-mountain-in-the-background-REwZEYzw19g
