Una see wetin una don cause? Some of you passed Swahili 101, collected your certificates and immediately requested another class. So, based on popular demand, I welcome you all to Swahili 102 where we move from learning the words to actually using them. Abeg, find your seat. Class has started!
So, I was boarding a flight, and as I entered the aircraft, I met the air hostess standing at the entrance to welcome passengers and direct them to their seats.
Me: Jambo! (Hello)
Her: Jambo! Jambo! Karibu! (Hello, hello, welcome)
Me: Asante Sana. (Thank you very much)
At this point, we were already smiling at each other. Then I decided to upgrade my performance.
Me: Sasa? (How's it going?)
She responded in Kiswahili, but omo, the woman spoke beyond my current syllabus. Lol!!
I turned to her and said, “That's the best Swahili I know!”
The woman burst out laughing and said she had only wished me a safe flight. I quickly responded, “Asante sana!” (thank you)
And she said that was the best response. You see? Small knowledge, big confidence! Hahaha!
On another flight, I entered the aircraft and greeted the attendant with “Sasa!” She responded warmly, and I followed up with “Uko sawa?” (Are you okay? /Are you good?)
She responded with “niko salama” (I'm doing very well) and complimented my Kiswahili. I told her I was picking it up little by little.
When I was getting off the plane at the end of the flight, I said, “Kwaheri! (Bye bye). Asante sana (thank you) for the good service.”
She replied in Kiswahili, and I responded, “Tutaonana tena!” (we shall see again).
My people, the excitement on this woman's face! “Oh my word, your Kiswahili is good!”
Me? I was beaming. Somebody should please bring my certificate. I am ready for graduation. Lol!
But wait, it gets better!
I was speaking to my colleague in Nairobi when I jokingly asked, “Ah-ah! So you mean I'm going to leave this country and you will not come and see me? Anyway, at least you've given me the information I wanted. Niko sorted!” (I'm sorted).
My colleague immediately asked, “Niko sorted? Where did you get that one from? I didn't teach you that!”
I said, “I know, I know! You taught me ‘Niko bie’ (street slang meaning I dey), but I picked up ‘Niko sorted’ on my own!”
My people, this language-learning business has levels. Some words are taught in class, others are acquired through fieldwork. I am doing both! Lol!
Now, let me tell you what Grace said after reading my first lesson. She told me that if you say “Jambo” in Kenya, people will automatically know you're a foreigner because Kenyans rarely use it to greet one another.
I told her I knew that, which was why I mostly used “Sasa!”
She was impressed and even said that knowing “Niko bie” was impressive because it is part of the new-generation Sheng, a Kenyan slang language.
She said I had challenged her to start picking up a word or two wherever she travelled. I told her, “Perfecto!”
You see what language can do? You start out trying to learn a few words, and before you know it, you're inspiring other people to learn too. Hahaha!
Now, one thing I've noticed is that Kiswahili has some lovely repeated expressions. You know how we Nigerians like our “kia kia”? Well, we are not alone!
For instance:
- Sawa sawa = Okay, okay!
- Poa poa = Cool, cool! Or it's all good!
- Pole pole = Slowly, gently, take it easy.
- Haraka haraka = Quickly, in a hurry.
- Kidogo kidogo = Little by little.
And honestly, I love “pole pole” and “kidogo kidogo” because that's exactly how I am learning this language. Little by little, one conversation at a time.
There is also “Apana”, which means “No!”
And “Poa sana”, meaning “Very cool” or “Very well”, depending on the context.
My people, if I continue at this rate, by the time I visit Kenya again, I may need an interpreter to translate my Kiswahili into English for you people. Lol.
But remember, I am still learning o! If my Kenyan friends spot any mistakes, please correct me gently. We are here to learn, laugh and connect.
Swahili 102 has officially closed. Swahili 103 loading...
IT'S RON
xoxoxo
My people, if I continue at this rate, by the time I visit Kenya again, I may need an interpreter to translate my Kiswahili into English for you people. Lol.
But remember, I am still learning o! If my Kenyan friends spot any mistakes, please correct me gently. We are here to learn, laugh and connect.
Swahili 102 has officially closed. Swahili 103 loading...
IT'S RON
xoxoxo
Make i save this - Pole pole - first
ReplyDeleteOne day I go need the word....
Hakuna Matata (no worries). Go ahead and save it. π
DeleteDo you know that you can be a good teacher π
ReplyDeletePole poleπ
Asante Sana π₯°ππ
DeleteJambo Ron
ReplyDeleteSasa Ron
Uko sawa Ron
See me writing it as if I sabi am before ππ
Oshey!!!! See beta student! π The more you use it, the faster it sticks and the better you become.
DeleteI have seen videos of Nigerians who learnt to speak Korean without ever traveling to the country.
Nice write-up.
ReplyDeletePlease what's the difference between Swahili and Kiswahili?
There really is no difference, Sis.
DeleteSwahili is the English name while Kiswahili is the name in the language itself. Same way German is the English name while Deutsch is what the native speakers call the language.
You get?
It's almost like saying Ibo language and Igbo language.
Lol.....learning a new language isnt easy.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to learn igbo but omo its not easy at all just few words for almost three years now.
Lol, seriously? You will need to be speaking it all the time & don't be scared of mistakes. I like your linguistic spirit Mariam dear π
DeleteSorry Sis. But I feel if you have a deep-sitting interest or love for any language, you CAN learn that language. I was in Shanghai over 13yrs ago and I still remember the mandarin words and phrases I learnt from that time.
DeleteMeeehn, you're such a fast learnerπna like play like play o you don ja si Pro
ReplyDeleteNo time to waste time ooo ππ I go soon turn pro. E remain small π€£π€£
DeleteLol, you don graduate be that na π Weldone dear, you learn well.
ReplyDeleteOk, kwaheri, tutaonana tena by God's grace π€ (btw, what is God in swahili?....should be Nkosi or so?)
Chei how did I forget to include God.
DeleteThe Kiswahili word for God is Mungu. Thank you God is either Asante Mungu or Namshukuru (I thank) Mungu. The 2nd one has an Arabic origin.
Nkosi is Zulu or Xhosa. It's spoken in South Africa. It means God or Lord or Chief.