- Songhai Language Lessons for Volunteers
- Worship in Songhai
- Other Resources
- Zarma Audio Bible
- Language Learning Activities
When we began our language study in France, my husband once went into our corner bakery to purchase a baguette (loaf of French bread). He was trying to explain to her in his best French that he was very hungry, so he wanted a very big baguette. Instead, he actually told her that he wanted a very big baguette because his wife was very large!
Language learning is not for the faint of heart. It is a daily challenge, a task that is never quite finished. But as one conjugates verbs and memorizes lists of new vocabulary words, one's respect for other peoples and other cultures grows. Hidden in the language are all kinds of treasures! Each trip out of the house is another adventure!! With a beginning knowledge of a language comes a respect and understanding of others' ways of living and learning.
For the Songhai, they are both surprised and delighted that a foreigner can speak their language. A basic trait of their culture is the value of listening. It is a worthless person who has not the time to listen to the wisdom of the old. So, the first task is to learn to sit with people and listen, rather than talk, thereby gaining their trust and respect.
One has many opportunities to both listen and practice language skills with the Songhai. For a Songhai man, the village or neighborhood discussion group is the centerpiece of life, along with a tea pot. For a Songhai woman, the burden of daily chores is lightened by gossiping with other women as together they pound the millet, carry water, wash clothes, or nurse babies.
Love for the Lord and His message of Salvation is communicated in many ways. It is through attitudes, actions, and words that communication takes place. It is the Sovereign Lord that gives His words of wisdom to know what to say to all these Songhai people. We depend on Him daily to communicate His Message effectively.
Sally
Songhai Language Lessons for Volunteers
These audio files can help you learn the Songhai language by listening as Sally and Cephas speak phrases and pronounce the words of the Zarma language. Files are available in MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) formats. Follow along with the audio files by viewing the accompanying text in .pdf:
Songhai Language Lessons for Volunteers Text (.pdf ) Some volunteers have found it helpful to bring this text with them to the field to refer to during ministry times.
- MP3 | WMA - Introduction
- MP3 | WMA - Sounds, Reading from Genesis 1
- MP3 | WMA - Greetings
- MP3 | WMA - Introductions and Goodbyes
- MP3 | WMA - Ministry Phrases
- MP3 | WMA - Blessings and Polite Words
- MP3 | WMA - Simple Questions and Phrases
- MP3 | WMA - Bible Verses - John 3:16 and 14:6
- MP3 | WMA - Song: God Loves All The People
- MP3 | WMA - Song: I Have Decided
- MP3 | WMA - Song: This Is The Day
- MP3 | WMA - Numbers
- MP3 | WMA - Books of the Bible
- MP3 | WMA - Vaccination Clinic Phrases
- MP3 | WMA - Closing
Should you burn your own Language Study CD, here is a jacket cover (front & back, .pdf).
Worship in Songhai/ language study
Worship in Songhai audio files and texts (side-by-side Zarma/Songhai and English). Tracks 1-5 will fit on one side of a 30-minute cassette with tracks 6-11 on the reverse side.
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Introduction: Baaru Hanno (Good News)
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - The Gospel, Bible Passages
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Ya Irikoy Takaharey
(Oh Ye God's Creation) - MP3 | WMA | PDF - Our Sinfulness, Bible Passages
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Za Jiri Boobo (Years Ago)
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Salvation, Bible Passages
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Zunubi Fondo No Ay Gana
(I Have Walked In Sin) - MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Ay No Zunubikooni Gumo
(I Am A Great Sinner) - MP3 | WMA | PDF - God's Promises, Bible Passages
- MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Guna Yesu go ga Ye ga Ka
(Behold Jesus is Coming Back) - MP3 | WMA | PDF - Song: Taabi si no Koyne da Yesu Ka
(No More Suffering When Jesus
Comes)
Should you burn your own Worship in Songhai CD, here is a jacket cover (front & back, .pdf).
Other Resources
Effective Language Learning: A Story of Hope
A tutorial set of 3 DVDs that gives guidelines to language learners of all levels. This interactive resource was designed for the international worker with limited access to effective language learning resources.
Language Learning in West Africa
Hundreds of languages are spoken throughout this vast region. Most West Africans speak at least two languages, and one of those languages will probably be a “market language.” A market language is the common way people in a region communicate in major villages of commerce. Links allow you to download an audio file and PDF printed guide of specific people group's market language.
The Zarma Web Site
A site devoted to the Zarma people and the language they speak.
Zarma Bible
There are three main dialects of Songhai. The southern tip of the kingdom speaks Zarma/ Songhai, the center of the kingdom at Gao speaks another, and the third dialect is spoken in the northern area surrounding Timbuktu. Hear the New Testament of the Zarma Bible on line.
Language Learning Activities
Missionaries almost always learn to communicate in another language to share the love of Christ verbally. Here are a couple language interactives you can download:
Try fun exercises to begin your Songhai language study (.pdf)
Try Market Hide & Seek (.pdf)
You think English is easy to learn? (.pdf)
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