I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

I finished my first lesson in Swahili! It's a pretty difficult language, but at least all the vowels have only one sound, so that helps. The words pretty much are spelled just like they sound. But there are weird prefixes that change with the pronouns. Example:

fahamu - understand (verb)
wafahamu - you understand
nafahamu - I understand
sifahamu - I don't understand

I haven't even learned he/she or we or they. Strange that the pronoun changes to make it negative.

Anyway, it's interesting and it's stretching my 51 year old mind!! But I figure I'm not getting any younger, so I might as well learn something. When I return to Kenya, they will be so surprised that I will be able to communicate a little! (kidogo = "a little"). Impressed yet?

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

girl, you can do it! What course are you using?

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

:thumbsup Nafahamu kidogo.. You're a teacher already! You just gave me my first lesson. Sounds interesting..

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

I'm using Pimsleur. The Swahili choices are pretty limited, but I looked at a few on the web before I bought these CD's. I wish there was a textbook too, but they want you to learn totally by listening. I don't know for sure that I'm spelling some of the words right, but the spelling is pretty simple. I'm writing down all new words in my notebook.

They kind of roll their "r's" like Spanish. It did say that there was a lot of Portuguese influence in the language; not sure why.

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Their word for God is "Mungu" pronounced "moon-goo". I learned that while I was there, and I just think it's the coolest sounding word. It sounds very primal or something. LOL!

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Sherri,

Keith and I are going to see our Kenyan friends Sat. They are having a baby shower and inviting everyone they know, which includes several pastors from all around Nor Cal.

Now I can share a new word with them!

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

That's cool. Swahili...

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Their word for God is "Mungu" pronounced "moon-goo". I learned that while I was there, and I just think it's the coolest sounding word. It sounds very primal or something. LOL!

Is "God" the first word that you learned? How is "Jesus" pronounced? I love to see His name in different languages.

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Bwana Yezu is Lord Jesus (actually "Sir" Jesus). They say Praise the Lord by saying Bwana Asifiwe, or something like that. It sounds like "Ah-si-fee-way". Not sure how to spell it, but they all say it.

"Jambo" is hello, so that always works! LOL! It's pronounced like "jahm-bow".

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Jesus is spelled Yezu (yay-zoo). Mungu is one of the words that stuck out to me when they were interpreting the preaching. Also "baba" which I think is Father.

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Hey, Berk! Where you been???

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Cool! I can't believe I am learning a new language on AFF! Thanks Sherri :thumbsup

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Yeah, dude whats up?

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Jambo!

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Samahani, bwana.
Wewe wafahamu Ki'ingaresa?

(Anyone want to take a guess?)

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Excuse me waiter, we........?:bliss

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Actually, you were part right!

It means, "Excuse me, sir. Do you understand English?"

I haven't learned anything concerning waiters/food yet, but I definitely need to!! I love the food over there.

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Well, I am now proud to say that I can order beer or wine in Swahili. LOL!! I just finished my eighth lesson. Whew! It's getting more and more difficult. However, if I get over there and get totally overwhelmed by something, I now have the assurance that I can order something to make me forget what's going on around me.:ursofunny

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

If I would throw my head back and do a commom gargle of flem... what would I likely have said?

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

I think that means, "another round for everyone, please." :bliss

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

37Watu waliposikia maneno haya yaliwachoma moyoni, wakawau liza Petro na wale mitume wengine, ``Tufanye nini ndugu zetu?'' 38Petro aliwajibu, ``Tubuni, muache dhambi na kila mmoja wenu abatizwe katika jina la Yesu Kristo, ili msamehewe dhambi zenu; nanyi mtapokea zawadi ya Roho Mtakatifu. 39Kwa maana ahadi hii ilitolewa na Mungu kwa ajili yenu na watoto wenu, na wale wote walio nchi za mbali, na kila mtu ambaye Bwana Mungu wetu anamwita kwake.''

from
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...-39&version=75

Re: I Just Did My First Swahili Lesson
 

Well, I recognize that it's Acts 2:37-39. I wish I could say that I understand all of it. I do know that Bwana Mungu is "Lord God". I recognize a few words here and there, but it makes me know that I still have a very LONG way to go.