Exploring isiXhosa Language and Culture

Learning a new language allows you to access a different culture, see things from a new perspective, and connect with new people. IsiXhosa forms part of the rich tapestry of languages found in South Africa. While spoken across the country, it is most predominant in the Eastern, Western & Northern Cape provinces. This course introduces you to the basics of the isiXhosa language and key aspects of the amaXhosa people’s culture. It is aimed at non-mother tongue speakers with little or no prior knowledge of the language. Your learning experience starts with an overview of the amaXhosa’s migration history, traditions, customs and practices. This then sets the scene for an introduction to key isiXhosa vocabulary that will enable you to read and carry-on basic conversations in this interesting ‘click language’. The four themes of the course are interspersed with short exercises to test your knowledge of the learning content. As you will be required to record yourself, you will need a working mic on your computer. 3b:T44f,

• Culture: This theme covers amaXhosa regions and background, the origins of the isiXhosa language and its dialects, vowels and its famous click sounds.
• Greetings and titles: You will learn different ways to greet (singular and plural), how to enquire about someone’s health (using vocabulary relating to emotions and sickness), and the intricacies of isiXhosa kinship terms.
• Introducing yourself: This theme will teach you basic ways of sharing personal details about yourself. You will learn to create short sentences stating your name, where you live, where you work and what you are studying.
• Hobbies and interests: The final theme further expands your vocabulary, teaching you how to speak about your favourite restaurants and food, favourite things to do, and how to order at a coffee shop or restaurant.