Welcome!
This blog is a tool for Abdirahaman’s Somali language class in St. Cloud, MN, as well as anyone else who’s interested in learning Somali. We just got started, so there aren’t many lessons up yet, but feel free to browse through what’s available. Currently, there are a few language posts and one culture post. We are trying to create these posts in the order that will be the most beneficial to the reader. As always, if you’ve got a question for us, post a comment and we’ll be glad to help.
- St. Cloud Somali Class
I’m really glad to come across this beautiful blog designed to teach Somali language. It is a rich beautiful language worth learning. It is spoken in several countries in East Africa such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. The Somali language is famous among language researchers for its poetic nature and the Somali-speaking people are usually referred as THE NATION OF POETS, because for centuries, poetry has been an important element in oral communication delivered by messengers from one place to another. Poetry communications are usually common among nomad and rural communities where poetry is used as powerful message on all occasions such as war, peace, politics, social issues, wedding, encouragement, humor, help, etc.
Is it easy to learn Somali? Well, it could both YES and NO, but the YES is more stronger than the NO. First of all, the Somali language is written in Latin alphabet, which is a good news because most of the common languages share the Latin alphabet. Second, whether the Somali language is easier or harder depends on the learner because no matter what you’re learning, if you’re enthusiastic enough about it, it becomes easier right before your eyes. Third, anyone in St. Cloud willing to learn Somali must be happy about it because there are sizeable Somali population in the city, and it is always fun to learn a new language and then speak it with its native speakers.
The only little factor of Somali language being a bit hard is about the grammar because for example, like Spanish, you can omit using the main pronouns and then you use verbs in their place by conjugating with tenses such past, present and future. Also, for instance, it could be a little bit frustrating for the English speaker to pronounce some Somali letters such as the letter x, the letter kh, the q and the letter c. How to pronounce all those letter is different from how they are pronounced in English. In a nutshell, the pronunciation of the Somali language is quite similar to that of the Arabic language.
I don’t only speak Somali, but I am a poet with full mastery of the Somali language. I am happy to help if you need anything as the writers of this blog. I like blogging!
By the way, I am a naturalized American and I am originally from Somalia. I have being living in St. Cloud for 7 years. Abdirahman is my cousin. I found this blog using Google search. I didn’t know Abdirahman is one of the writers of this beautiful blog. Keep up the good work, guys. Thank you.
How can somebody like me learn Somali where I live until I can save enough money to make it to minnesota to learn in person? I love the somali people, culture & language, music, history, etc!
I live in St.Louis, MO and I have have been going to the library studying some Somali phrases but that gets cumbersome.
That will be lovely if this site had audio for the alphabet and for some common every phrases, words and conversational topics….:-)
P.S. One of my main goals is to visit Somali one day and maybe stay for a while…☺
Hi,
My Name is Tony Dowling, I live in Australia. The town i live in is a very small Rural town about 5 hours North West of Sydney.
My first contact with the Somali People was when I was serving in the Army, I was deployed to Somalia in 1992 – 1993. Mostly in Baidoa and the the baay Region. I felt we did some good, re-establishing a hospital, donating alot of gifts from Australia to the local people. We restored a little hope to these people. But I have always maintained we should of had a Multi National force commited to the region for many years, as far as I am concerned we were putting a bandaid on a huge wound, did some good for a while but not really fixing the situation
I have been trying on and off since my return to get back to Somalia, and help as part of an NGO organisation help with education, medical etc. I thought that this would not be a problem. But much to my amazement noone needs my help.
Yes I have a basic undertsanding of Somali, if spoken slow enough I can converse. I am continually learning Somali would love to get some help on this language. I love these people and yes I know the dangers there and know my way round the baay area as i ptook patrols out night,and day.
As I said any help with Somali is very much appreicated, if you yourself are learning Somali and need Audio I can direct you to a website where i have found some useful files.
If anyone is in contact with NGO’s in Somalia please let me know I have a resume I am prepared to send.
God bless all
Tony
Does anyone know of someone/people that would teach Somali in the Washington DC metropolitan area?
I would love to learn the somali language. I love the people and the culture.
Hi there; I’m in the process of writing a play about the Somali people who have moved to Maine. The play focuses on the assimilation of the people, and I’m trying to find Somali terms of endearment for mother and father. I’ve been using your blog but wondered if you’d come across anything closer to the English versions of “Mama” or “Papa”?
Any advice would be most helpful. Feel free to email me directly, and thank you!
Chad
I was wondering about your Somali language classes, does it have similarities to arabic?
Hi Abdirahaman,
You may remember me as the contact person for when you spoke to Diversity Day in 2009.
I was wondering-would you be willing to do a no fee presentation in our office in st cloud this month? We cant pay you, but it would be a nice tool to build a bridge in the community. I think it would be really good for our staff.
Please let me know. Thank you for your time.
Maureen Theis
Social Security Administration
Saint Cloud MN 320-253-6731 ext 1233
Can I get Abdirahaman’s number again. I have 1-320-469-2755 and it isnt working. We are really interested in having him speak at our office. With the goal of building bridges.
Thanks,
Maureen
320-253-6731 ext 1233
Salam Alaikum,
I am also very interested in learning somali. I already know some of the basics but would like to be able to communicate fluently. I was wondering if you know anyone in Ottawa who offers similar classes?
Or like the person above me mentioned have audio so that we may have a better understand of the prononciation.
Jazakalah khair
Salaama!
waa blog leh fikrad wanaagsan. waxaa dhici karta in ardayda barata Af-Soomaaliga ay ka faa’iideeysan karaan blog-gan hoos ku daabacan:
http://afbeeg-suugaan.blogspot.com/
Somali students may find the blog above as a useful reading material.
Nasiib wanaagsan!
Do u hold classes and what’s the add and phone number
please me your8 9 10 11 lesson
I am glad i found this site, could you add the english phonetics to the words to make it easier to learn how to pronounce the words, also are there any classes in mpls, i really want to learn somali