Swahili language: Essential tips for your stay in Tanzania and how local language helps you integrate

Oct 12, 2024 | Geen onderdeel van een categorie

grote groep talen,
taal aan invloed, miljoen sprekers, miljoen moedertaalsprekers, Swahili taal

Tanzania is a beautiful and diverse country to which more and more Dutch, Belgian and other Europeans are traveling. Whether you come as a tourist to enjoy nature and culture, or as an expat or emigrant living in Dar es Salaam, mastering Swahili (the official language) can make your stay a lot easier and more pleasant. In this article, I, Ibrahim, tell you more about the language in Tanzania, give useful tips for your stay, and share my experience learning Dutch. You can also learn where you can learn Swahili in the Netherlands before you leave for Tanzania. By the way, also from other countries in the world as there are also online lessons. But Swahili Dutch (Dutch Swahili) is taught, which is nice when your mother tongue is Dutch.

What is Swahili and where does it come from?

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili Sanifu, is one of the most widely spoken languages in East Africa and is considered the official national language of Tanzania. The language is spoken by more than 80 million people in several countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although English is also widely used, Swahili is essential for everyday interactions and understanding African culture. The origins of Swahili are on the Indian Ocean coast, where it developed as a trade language through interaction with Arabic alphabet-speaking traders and locals. Swahili is part of the Bantu language family, which has spread through much of Africa. The language has evolved to include many Western words and influences of Western culture, but remains deeply rooted in the respective cultures of East Africa. Swahili has several variants and dialects. In addition to standard Swahili (Kiswahili Sanifu), there are numerous dialects, including the ancient dialect of Zanzibar. Some of these dialects are still spoken on neighboring islands and by the indigenous people of certain regions.

Why learn the Swahili language?

If you plan to stay in Tanzania for an extended period of time, learning Swahili is not a luxury. Learning Swahili not only helps you adapt quickly, but also opens doors to the local people and culture. Learning a new language like Swahili can seem challenging at first, but it is one of the most important languages in East Africa and relatively easy to pick up. The language uses the Latin alphabet, much like Dutch, which makes it easier to learn to read and write.

official language, Somali language, Bantu language, Swahili keniaWhen I myself came to the Netherlands years ago, I also found learning Dutch challenging. The sentence structure in Dutch is very different from that in Swahili. In Swahili, for example, words like “he” and “she” are hardly ever used, because the context is often sufficient. Another fun fact: a question like “will you eat with us?” doesn’t actually exist in Swahili. Everyone is always invited to eat with us, without having to be explicitly asked.

Differences between Dutch and Swahili

There are many differences between Dutch and Swahili. In Swahili, emphasis is often placed on the last syllable of a word, which sometimes causes amusing misunderstandings. Moreover, the sentence structure is more flexible and personal pronouns such as “he” and “she” are often omitted. This took me quite a bit of getting used to when I was learning Dutch, because these very words are always clearly indicated in Dutch. Nice examples of useful words in Swahili are “samaki” (fish), which comes in handy when visiting the fish market, or “lala salama,” which means “sleep well.” Learning important words in Swahili helps you quickly integrate into daily life in Tanzania. Being able to translate Dutch into Swahili gave me a lot of confidence. If you can soon translate Swahili into Dutch, it will be no different. It is very much appreciated when Mzungus (another word for Europeans) try to speak Kiswahili sanifu. And before you know it, you can translate Swahili into Dutch.

Swahili in Tanzania and Kenya

Many people ask, “What languages do they speak in Tanzania?” The official language of Tanzania is Swahili, in addition to English, which is mainly used in business and educational contexts. Swahili is the general language in Tanzania and is spoken by almost everyone, from urban to rural areas. Swahili is also one of the most important languages in Kenya, alongside English. In Kenya, it is taught in schools and forms a bridge between different ethnic groups and their ethnic languages. Swahili is also one of the languages of the East African Community, a regional organization of East African countries that cooperate economically and politically. This shows how widespread the African Bantu language has become in this region.

southern coast, talk of colonization, colonization west, tanzania

Useful Swahili phrases

Here are some commonly used Swahili for beginners phrases that may come in handy during your stay in Tanzania or Kenya:

  • Habari gani? – How’s it going?
  • Habari ya asubuhi? – Good morning!
  • Karibu – Welcome
  • Asante sana – Thank you very much
  • Sawa – Okay
  • Tafadhali – Please
  • Samaki – Fish
  • Lala salama – Sleep well

These basic phrases will help you quickly start a conversation or find your way around during your stay.

Learning Swahili in the Netherlands

Would you like to learn the basics of Swahili before you leave for Tanzania or Kenya? You can! In the Netherlands, you can take a Swahili course at the International African School, where you can start with the language. This allows you to learn Swahili quickly and at a higher level. You not only get language lessons at both low level and highest level, but also learn more about African culture and how the language developed in contact with British missionaries, Arab traders, and the overseas territories of European settlers. There are also several Swahili Dutch books available and for sale, as you can see in the picture, that you can use to continue practicing at home.

African Union, eponymous people, large group of languages, language to influence, swahili bookAre you moving to Tanzania or Kenya and already want to learn the basics of the culture and language? Then contact the International African School and start your Swahili lessons.

Conclusion

Mastering Swahili opens doors and lets you delve deeper into the indigenous people and culture of Tanzania and Kenya. It is a national language that connects much of the region and is widely spoken at the highest levels. Whether you are going to Tanzania for work, adventure or a new life, learning the African language Swahili will greatly enrich your experience in East Africa. By learning the language, you will quickly build relationships with locals and gain a deeper understanding of their respective cultures. I look forward to welcoming you and showing you all that Tanzania has to offer. Karibu Tanzania!

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