Here’s a Question for You: Week 5

JoAnna — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:00:58 +0000

One of the things I most enjoy about traveling is talking about it. In this new weekly series, I’d like to pose some of the questions I’ve discussed with friends, family and fellow travelers over the years. I invite you to pull up your backpack, grab a handful of the local snack food and chime in with your comments and thoughts. Feel free to respond to others, but remember to play nice!

Here’s a Question for You:

In what language would you like to be fluent?

I learned a basic level of Swahili in the Peace Corps, and I always loved the structure and sound of the language. I would love to continue learning Swahili, but in all practicality, there’s not a good reason to continue studying it. If I had to choose a language that I honestly want to learn because it just makes sense, it would be Spanish. I took two years of Spanish in high school, but I’ve long since forgotten a lot of what I learned. Since then, I’ve minored in German and took that intensive crash course in Swahili. I have a Rosetta Stone Spanish program … I just have to open it and start learning!

Join the conversation!

Here’s a Question for You: Week 5 | Kaleidoscopic Wandering

Swahili Phrases That Will Help Keep You Safe

JoAnna — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:21:57 +0000

Learning the local language is key to integrating into a new culture. It’s always a good idea to know how to greet locals with “hello” and “how are you.” You’ll probably want to know how to say “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” as well. And, of course, it’s not a bad idea to know how to ask where the closest bathroom is.

While learning the local language is important for truly understanding and appreciating a country and its people, it also allows you to communicate your concerns and be proactive in protecting yourself in unfamiliar territory. What should you say if you feel a pickpocket’s hands on you? What if you’re being harassed by street vendors? Is someone standing a little bit too close for comfort? What do you say then?

As much as I love East Africa, if you’re planning on traveling to Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda, you are likely to encounter a few uncomfortable situations. Travel prepared with these Swahili phrases that will help keep you safe:

Tabia mbaya (tah-be-ah m-bi-yah) — Bad manners.
Unanisumbua (u-nah-nee-sum-bu-ah) — You are bothering me.
Nimeolewa (nee-may-oh-lay-wah) — I am married.
Mimi si mtalii (mee-mee see m-tahl-ee) — I’m not a tourist.
Potea (poh-tay-ah) — Get lost.
Usiniguze (u-see-nee-gu-zay) — Don’t touch me.
Nenda zako (nayn-dah zah-koh) - Go away./Be on your way.
Si hitaji msaada wako (see hee-tah-jee ms-ah-dah wah-koh) — I don’t need your help.
Usijali (u-see-jahl-ee) – Don’t mind./It’s none of your business.
Niache (nee-ah-chay) — Leave me alone.
Nenda nyumbani (nayn-dah num-bah-nee) — Go home.
Siendi (see-end-ee) — I’m not going.
Kaa vizuri (kah vee-zur-ee) — Seat properly.
Hiki ni kiti changu (hee-kee nee kee-tee chahn-gu) — This is my seat.
Unanilalia (u-nah-neel-ah-lee-ah) — You are leaning on me.
Ondoa mikono hapo (ohn-doh-ah mee-koh-noh hah-poh) — Remove your hands there.
Nisaidie (nee-sah-ee-dee-ay) — Help me.
Nimeibiwa (nee-may-ee-bee-wah) — I have had stuff stolen.
Nimepigwa (nee-may-pee-gwah) — I have been beaten.
Chukua kila kitu (chu-ku-ah kee-lah kee-tu) — Take everything.

Note: Many people in East Africa speak some English and in some smaller villages, you may encounter people who only speak a tribal language. Also, while Swahili is the national language, dialects may vary slightly from region to region and country to country.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

This post is an entry for the Language Learning Blog Contest being hosted by Pimsleur Approach.

Swahili Phrases That Will Help Keep You Safe | Kaleidoscopic Wandering

Kaleidoscopic Wandering » Language

Here’s a Question for You: Week 5

In what language would you like to be fluent?

Swahili Phrases That Will Help Keep You Safe