Language

Bemba language

Bemba Lesson 13: Days, Weeks, Months, Seasons

The following are the terms used to describe the days of the week. We follow this up with some examples of common usage. WEEK DAYS The prefix “Pali” means “On” , e.g. “On Monday” ,except for Saturday and Sunday when “pa” is used:   MONDAY                  –  …

Bemba Lesson 10 – At the Hospital

Some of the terms you are likely to come across at the clinic or hospital:     Good morning = Mwashibukeni    Good evening = Cungulopo mukwai    How are you? = Mulishani?    What brings you to the clinic today? = Cinshi camuleta kuno cipatala    ilelo?     Photo by Giuseppe Bollanti Do you have…

A Grammar of the Bemba Language – by Schoeffer – Book Review

A Grammar of the Bemba Language - Schoffer

Book Title: A Grammar of the Bemba Language as Spoken in North East Rhodesia Author: Rev. Father Schoeffer Edited by J.H. West Sheane, B.A. (Native Commissioner, B.S.A. Company, N.E.R.) Arranged with preface by A.C. Madan Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1907 ISBN: 9781146012799   A Grammar of the Bemba Language as Spoken in Northern Rhodesia was…

Learn How To Read and Pronounce Bemba Words

Bemba Lesson 8 Learn how to read Bemba using simple methods.   The Bemba language is broadly based on the English alphabet.   Most words are based around the five vowels: A,E,I,O and U. (Vowel = A sound made by allowing air to flow freely through the mouth and throat)   When you take away…

Bemba Lesson 7 – Asking Questions

It is useful to have a quick list of the five types of questions you are likely to use in different situations. Here's a list covering Who? What? When? Where? How? Examples are given to illustrate the use of these terms.   Some questions start with the "Bushe…." interjection. It's a bit like putting the…

Bemba Lesson 5 – Family Relationships

Like all Zambian communities, the Bemba people have a close-knitted extended family life. This is reflected in the detailed terminology used to describe interpersonal relationships. An example of this is the fact that the terms to describe uncles and aunties refer to them as "small father" or "small mother."  Cousins are effectively referred to as…

The Internet In Bemba, Lozi and Nyanja

Sometimes the gap between language and concepts is so wide that it becomes a problem when people try to come up with words for brand new concepts. Most Zambian languages have very few scientific terms. It is no wonder, then , that when it comes to the rapidly evolving internet, the gap is even wider.

20 – Learn To Speak Bemba Online Using The Bible

The Holy Bible is a revered book of devotion for inspiration and instruction. It can also help you learn to speak Bemba! The method outlined below is improvised from what is available on the internet at the moment. If you have any suggestions on how this method can be improved on, please feel free to…