Table Of Content

A Rough Guide to IciBemba Volume 1 of the hopefully soon-to-exist, volunteer/co-worker produced: EWB Language Guide Series Written by: Owen Scott, Elias Mutwale Table of Contents Section Page Disclaimer 1 Preface 2 On the Importance of Language 3 Pronunciation 4 Greetings 5 Verbs (conjugation) 6 Verbs (list) 11 Feelings 12 Times 13 Some Nouns 14 Connecting Words 15 Other Useful Things 16 Sentences 17 Disclaimer It is almost certain that not everything in this guide is correct. However, much of it is. There…it’s been said. 1 Preface I developed this guide during my last few weeks in Zambia as a way to help future EWB volunteers (and volunteers with other organizations) to learn Bemba prior to leaving for overseas. The impetus for the guide came from the many nights I spent sitting alone by candlelight studying verb conjugation by written practice; I simply felt like much of the study I did while in Zambia could have been done more effectively prior to leaving (and with less opportunity cost related to other cool stuff). I am by no means fluent in Bemba; in fact, I can barely speak the language at all, and have never held down anything close to a conversation. However, I did learn a lot in my time overseas, and feel that that knowledge is valuable and worth sharing. This guide was written by me (Owen), and then edited and contributed to heavily by my friend, co-worker, and primary Bemba teacher Elias Mutwale. He even edited some of my English. I can’t express in words how grateful I was for his help, and hope that many future volunteers from EWB can participate in collaborative efforts such as this to take our organizational language learning capacity to another level. This guide is not a “how-to guide”, nor is it an “exercise book”, nor is it divided into bite- size lessons. Rather, it is simply an organized presentation of information. It is up to the reader to decide how this information is to be used/learned. I trust you to figure this one out for yourself… (also, any questions about this guide, contact: [email protected]) 2 On the Importance of Language Understanding and speaking the local language while overseas can bring you many things. It can gain you added trust, it can bring you added comprehension of your surroundings, and it can allow you to interact more enjoyably with other people. However, there are more important reasons to learn language as well. In Zambia, as in many countries, English is the official language but it is no one’s first language. English is learned in school, and, in most cases, school is not free. Thus, I might posit that English language ability and socio-economic status correlate fairly closely. For this reason, as a volunteer, by limiting yourself to effective communication only in English, you are also severely reducing your ability to even interact with the poorest of the poor; the people whose lives and opportunities you are ostensibly overseas to help improve. For me, this is the most important of many good reasons why language learning should continue to be a core organization value of EWB, and why we desperately need to work as an organization to make sure that resources and techniques are available to help our volunteers turn ambition into action with regards to language. Hopefully this guide can be a start. 3 Pronunciation Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be close. You will learn more once you get there. Everything in this guide is written very phonetically, so follow this outline and you will be fine. Vowels: ‘a’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’ ‘e’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘mate’ ‘i’ – like the ‘i’ in ‘ski’ ‘o’ – like the ‘oa’ sound in ‘coat’ ‘u’ – like the ‘oo’ sound in ‘cool’ Most consonants are pronounced the same as in English. There are a few exceptions: Consonants: ‘c’ – like the ‘ch’ in ‘chair’ ‘b’ – like a mix of ‘b’, ‘w’, and ‘v’ (try saying all three at once) ‘ ng’ ‘ – like the ‘ng’ in ‘singing’ 4 Greetings During your time in Zambia you will be constantly greeting people. Exchanging greetings and enquiring as to other people’s well-being is an integral part of the Zambian culture. Usually, when first meeting someone (even if you know them already) you should start with a “hello”. Depending on the context and time of day, what “hello” you use will vary. Following this initial greeting, you should move on to ask how they are. There is essentially no limit to the number of enquiries you can make (although there kind of it…it’s situation dependent…not that I really ever understood anything that well), so feel free to use more than one in succession. The list that follows is a list of some of the basic greetings to get you started. You will learn more as you travel. “Hellos” iciBemba English When to Use Greeting: Mwashibukeni? Good morning? Morning Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. Greeting: Mwaikaleni? You’ve been good? Afternoon Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. Greeting: Cungulo mukwai. Good evening mukwai? Evening Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. Greeting: Mwapoleeni? Hello? Anytime Reponse: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. Greeting: Mwabombeni? Work’s good? When someone’s Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. working. 5 “How are you?’s” iciBemba English When to Use Greeting: Muli Shaani? How are you? Anytime Response: Bwino. Well. Greeting: Mwashibukashaani? How did you sleep? Morning Response: Bwino. Well. Greeting: Mwaikalashaani Afternoon Response: Bwino. Well. Greeting: Mwabombashaani? How has work been? At/after work. Reponse: Bwino. Well Greeting: Kung’anda Kulishaani? How’s home? Anytime. Response: Kung’anda Kuliye Bwino Home is well. 6 Verbs (conjugation) Verb conjugation can be one of the most beneficial things to study before going overseas. If you intend to learn the language beyond simple greetings, there is no getting around learning the grammar rules surrounding verbs. The following section lists some of the most important verb tenses you will use while speaking Bemba. (Note: in Bemba, the very itself never changes based on conjugation; only the words that precede it do). Past Tense (yesterday or before) English iciBemba I verbed Nali verb You verbed Wali verb He/She verbed Ali verb We verbed Twali verb They verbed Bali verb You (plural) verbed Mwali verb English iciBemba I didn’t verb Nsha verb You didn’t verb Tawa verb He/She didn’t verb Ta verb We didn’t verb Tatwa verb They didn’t verb Taba verb You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwa verb Past Tense (earlier today) English iciBemba I verbed Naci verb You verbed Waci verb He/She verbed Aci verb We verbed Twaci verb They verbed Baci verb You (plural) verbed Mwaci verb English iciBemba I didn’t verb Nshaci verb You didn’t verb Tawaci verb He/She didn’t verb Taci verb We didn’t verb Tatwaci verb They didn’t verb Tabaci verb You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwaci verb 7 Past Tense (very recent…almost present) English iciBemba I’ve verbed Na verb You’ve verbed Wa verb He/She has verbed A verb We have verbed Twa verb They have verbed Ba verb You (plural) have verbed Mwa verb English iciBemba I haven’t verbed Nshi verb You haven’t verbed Tau verb He/She hasn’t verbed Ta verb We haven’t verbed Tatu verb They haven’t verbed Taba verb You (plural) haven’t verbed Tamu verb Present Tense English iciBemba I’m verbing Nde verb You’re verbing Ule verb He/She is verbing Ale verb We’re verbing Twale verb They’re verbed Bale verb You’re (plural) verbed Mule verb English iciBemba I’m not verbing Nshile verb You’re not verbing Taule verb He/She isn’t verbing Tale verb We’re not verbing Tatule verb They’re not verbing Tabale verb You’re (plural) not verbing Ta-mule verb 8