Somali Language

[dawwa9]

Somali has one of the least amount of educational material published. If you want to study Arabic, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other major language there is a HUGE amount of books which could bring you to very advanced levels but for Somali there is no market.

The only way to learn proper Somali is by interacting with your family which limits your vocabulary, because some words are just never used in normal conversations.

[Ganjaweed]

Somali has one of the least amount of educational material published. If you want to study Arabic, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other major language there is a HUGE amount of books which could bring you to very advanced levels but for Somali there is no market.

The only way to learn proper Somali is by interacting with your family which limits your vocabulary, because some words are just never used in normal conversations.

That's because somalia has been without a government for twenty years, einstein. There is no incentive to learn somali for foreigners, since there is no country. The reason these languages are evn learned is not only economic, but think how many people in the world speak arabic (the entire arab world), how many speak spanish (Latin america and spain), chinese (the largest ethnic group in the world). What does somali have to offer? I doubt there is even more than 10,000 words in our vocabulary, a large part of which is borrowed arabic.

[nomadicwarlord]

My writing and reading skills in Somali are excellent, the delivery part failed me.

[Dhaga Bacayl]

Ganjaweed


Which one do identify yourself first-- isaaq or muslim?

Ala tani maxay iska dhimatay....

[dawwa9]

Somali has one of the least amount of educational material published. If you want to study Arabic, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other major language there is a HUGE amount of books which could bring you to very advanced levels but for Somali there is no market.

The only way to learn proper Somali is by interacting with your family which limits your vocabulary, because some words are just never used in normal conversations.

That's because somalia has been without a government for twenty years, einstein. There is no incentive to learn somali for foreigners, since there is no country. The reason these languages are evn learned is not only economic, but think how many people in the world speak arabic (the entire arab world), how many speak spanish (Latin america and spain), chinese (the largest ethnic group in the world). What does somali have to offer? I doubt there is even more than 10,000 words in our vocabulary, a large part of which is borrowed arabic.

There is a HUGE market for Somali language programmes, just Somalis don’t see it. There are roughly 1,000,000 Somali Youth outside of Africa who have difficulties with the language who Somali experts could help.

I have a Somali dictionary with about 50,000 words, but most of the time they need several Somali words to translate 1 single English or Arabic word.

[Ganjaweed]

Somali has one of the least amount of educational material published. If you want to study Arabic, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other major language there is a HUGE amount of books which could bring you to very advanced levels but for Somali there is no market.

The only way to learn proper Somali is by interacting with your family which limits your vocabulary, because some words are just never used in normal conversations.

That's because somalia has been without a government for twenty years, einstein. There is no incentive to learn somali for foreigners, since there is no country. The reason these languages are evn learned is not only economic, but think how many people in the world speak arabic (the entire arab world), how many speak spanish (Latin america and spain), chinese (the largest ethnic group in the world). What does somali have to offer? I doubt there is even more than 10,000 words in our vocabulary, a large part of which is borrowed arabic.

There is a HUGE market for Somali language programmes, just Somalis don’t see it. There are roughly 1,000,000 Somali Youth outside of Africa who have difficulties with the language who Somali experts could help.

I have a Somali dictionary with about 50,000 words, but most of the time they need several Somali words to translate 1 single English or Arabic word.

True, very true. Lakiin, what the somali language needs is someone who can put it through reformation and standardisation. There isnt even a somali word for computer for god's sake and we're in the 21st century! There are countless ways to spell one word and the alphabet sucks badly.

And where is this huge market that wants to learn somali, beside teenagers fascinated by somali pirates?

[Cumar-Labasuul]

All the somali kids that live/lived with a grandparent usually speak the best somali, unfortunately I didn't.

[dawwa9]

All the somali kids that live/lived with a grandparent usually speak the best somali, unfortunately I didn't.

They just have a firm foundation in basic Somali nothing beyond that

Highly doubt they would fully understand Somali poetry, could write official letters or follow some advanced political discussions in Somali

[Cumar-Labasuul]

All the somali kids that live/lived with a grandparent usually speak the best somali, unfortunately I didn't.

They just have a firm foundation in basic Somali nothing beyond that

Highly doubt they would fully understand Somali poetry, could write official letters or follow some advanced political discussions in Somali

So their grandparents only speak basic somali and don't understand poetry or political discussions?

[dawwa9]

So their grandparents only speak basic somali and don't understand poetry or political discussions?

Those children don't

It is very difficult to reach advanced levels in a language without formal education in it. Everyday 'family' language doesn't get you far

[Firefly]

Narcissistic:- Firstly, I think it's great that you've got the initiative plus interest to learn your mother tongue sis. Alhamdulillah. Secondly, it's not an impossible task hun. The little Somali I know I've learnt all by myself. Simply by reading articles, Somali books etc. The shaqal dheer iyo shaqal gaab was really difficult to grasp for me, and I still haven't grasped it fully. It also helps if you sit with elders and just listen in on their discussions etc. Have a small book in which you write all the new words you've learnt, and perhaps their meaning etc as to not get confused. I guess you just need to take it day by day, insha-Allah. Nothing can be learnt overnight, it takes much time and effort. It would be good if there were Somali language classes because I would actually pay money to attend them. We are the future generation if we think about it, and if we lose our mother tongue, what will we teach our own children?

[Narcissistic]

Narcissistic:- Firstly, I think it's great that you've got the initiative plus interest to learn your mother tongue sis. Alhamdulillah. Secondly, it's not an impossible task hun. The little Somali I know I've learnt all by myself. Simply by reading articles, Somali books etc. The shaqal dheer iyo shaqal gaab was really difficult to grasp for me, and I still haven't grasped it fully. It also helps if you sit with elders and just listen in on their discussions etc. Have a small book in which you write all the new words you've learnt, and perhaps their meaning etc as to not get confused. I guess you just need to take it day by day, insha-Allah. Nothing can be learnt overnight, it takes much time and effort. It would be good if there were Somali language classes because I would actually pay money to attend them. We are the future generation if we think about it, and if we lose our mother tongue, what will we teach our own children?

Exactly, they probably wouldn't even know Somali jajab to xan their teacher behind their back. I can't imagine denying my future children that

Sis Firefly, thanks for the words of encouragement & advice. Omg, I would pay for classes too. Perhaps, when I master Somali i'll offer my services, insha'Allah.

[snoop12]

do you only speak English ?

i have gone to German and Spanish classes, just by applying the basic methodology i saw my Somali improving drastically to a stage were i actually started correcting peoples pronunciation of words, explaining meaning of words etc

obviously this is nothing, and i have an urgent need to expand my sphere of understanding the language.. in doing this, proverbs, classic songs, poems, etc are of immense importance

should i acquire the eloquence of the language i will be more than happy to share my knowledge tauntingly



inshallah you will get their shortly, i did not give you any substantial advice as i am certain in your effort, also the real lesson is.... well guut lock

[GHETOGIRL]

Narcissistic waa gaalo.

[Narcissistic]

inshallah you will get their shortly, i did not give you any substantial advice as i am certain in your effort, also the real lesson is.... well guut lock

Lol why was that last sentence incomplete I wonder? Learning another language to learn Somali sounds hella confusing.

P.s Snoop, maya ingris bas ma ku hatli Soomaali waa akaana laakin inaa kordiyo baa raba

Basra, ceeb naya iska hishoo