How to learn Somali?

[Isaaq1]

For those of you that maybe weren’t taught Somali growing up or spoken to in Somali. How did you eventually learn how to speak Somali?

 

[Lostbox]

Have you found the answer?

 

[greznigrezni]

I started reading Somali comment sections and listening to gabaay for new words.

 

[Lebron James]

i went to somalia not knowing how to ask for a bowl and came back 90% fluent, going home is your best option

 

[Ali Nor]

i went to somalia not knowing how to ask for a bowl and came back 90% fluent, going home is your best option

How Long where you there?

 

[Isaaq1]

Have you found the answer?

Nah not really

 

[PrincessBBG<3]

For those of you that maybe weren’t taught Somali growing up or spoken to in Somali. How did you eventually learn how to speak Somali?

My dad spoke English to me my whole life and my mom spoke to me in the most simplistic Somali. When I was 14 I went to somaliland to see my relatives and that’s when I was “taught” Somali. Being in an environment that forces you to speak the native tongue really did wonders for me. Plus the girls in my class would teach me in exchange for teaching them English, win win situation.

 

[Izzy77]

For those of you that maybe weren’t taught Somali growing up or spoken to in Somali. How did you eventually learn how to speak Somali?

I got lucky my cousins came over from somalia the house was af somali 24/7 i had to listen to conversations ask my hooyo privately what each word meant, and the environment forced me into speaking broken somali where i had people laugh at me or either correct me.

I only know how to have conversations and some basic terms anything sophisticated i wouldnt know tbh

I havent been to somalia since i was 3

 

[Cajiib]

Listen to somali news stations and try to read news articles that have both english and Somali pages. Then, practice by talking to every Somali person you see. I used to sprinkle new words into my convos to see if I used it right. Do you have any elderly relatives near you? They love to tell stories and help you learn.

 

[Pre-frhnn]

Listen to somali news stations and try to read news articles that have both english and Somali pages. Then, practice by talking to every Somali person you see. I used to sprinkle new words into my convos to see if I used it right. Do you have any elderly relatives near you? They love to tell stories and help you learn.

This one wallah. I used to speak broken Somali but because of elderly relatives, now my Somali is much better. Especially when they can’t speak English, as it forces you to speak Somali to communicate with them.

 

[Cajiib]

I forgot to add, look into Somali poetry. It’s very beautiful and you learn a lot of words. The classic ones can be overwhelming at first so look at newer ones too.