My poor understanding of the Somali language has once again embarrassed me in the worst ways. I and my Hooyo were ringing up items in a Somali own convenience store the shop keep initiated some small talk. He asks the standard question "Is this your son? How old is he? is he going to college?". Then he shifted the conversation to me I struggle to say anything coherent. He realized that I couldn't speak Somali and begin his integration by asking why this was the case. As excuse after excuse poured out, I notice he was smiling even laughing a little. He took pleasure in my lack of dhaqan then I was able to clearly see his sadistic nature. When we were through with this ordeal I was very bitter I complained to my Hooyo about the state of my dhaqan. I coped a little and said he was just rude because he was short. No joke his head was barely taller than the table he deals on. Could any of you tell me a resource to learn Somali online perhaps something of quality if possible?
I'm looking to improve in a way that spares me from confrontation with a teacher of some sort. Something automated would be great.
Please try to stick to the question.
Bro honestly, just trying is enough for you to feel proud. like you i was born outside somalia grew up around barely any somalis maybe two or three families, i went to hargeisa in my later years of high school, i naturally interacted with everyone so i would still speak to people, i stuttered alot and alot of the times words came out of my mouth that didn't make sense, no grammar, lacking vocabulary, sometimes the people i spoke to wouldn't even understand me. classmates, waiters at restaurants, strangers on the street, anyone,
I wouldn't shy away from speaking with them. majority of the time they wouldn't comment on how bad i was but its obvious they knew i was not good with the language so they would comply if i asked them to repeat themselves, other times when they decided to make fun of me i would straight up look at them and ask them how many languages they knew, then i would tell them i am fluent in english and arabic and can speak somali enough for them to understand, then i would point at them and tell them you only knew somali so who are you to make fun of me? i would say something similar to that and usually they would shut up, no one had anything to retort after i said that, as its the truth after all.
That is also the reason why i dont feel ashamed as i see some people dont speak af somaali even if they can because they feel ashamed of it being weak so they just stay quiet thus not being able to improve ever. so in school nobody dared criticise me anymore lol. My somali improved but i am still shit lol and cant compare to a somali born, but that doesn't stop me from speaking it as its my mother tongue, and i dont feel embarassed when i make mistakes.
. Harsh truth.
