Sesotho is a language spoken in Lesotho and South Africa. If you visit these countries, you will need to learn the essential words and phrases to communicate and make yourself understood. As you would on any trip abroad, it is advisable to learn something of the local language before departure.
Steps
Step 1. As with any other language in the world, to learn Sesotho you must first listen to it
Visit the country or listen to Radio Lesotho as often as possible.
Step 2. You must be aware that this language probably has different characteristics than any language you have previously learned
Never compare a language you are learning with another you already speak.
Step 3. Go to the Internet to hear examples of common phrases and to do some exercises (see links below)
Step 4. Use the dictionary often
On the web there are at least three of excellent quality.
Step 5. Look for a Mosotho (Lesotho resident) who wants to learn your language and chat via chat, email or phone
Step 6. A large body of texts written in the Sesotho language is available on the Internet
Look for them and read them as much as you can. You won't understand much at first, but what little you understand will make a difference. Start with that. You don't have to insist on the grammar of Sesotho, but focus on the ability to converse in the language. Remember it.
Step 7. To review the words you just learned, use flash cards or a phrase book
Reviewing regularly is important, especially if you don't live in Lesotho or South Africa.
Step 8. To remember new words, use memory tricks, games and emotions
Don't try to memorize words out of context. For example, not only learn the phrase "ho rata", which means "to love", but contextualize it by learning phrases such as "Ke rata Giorgia" which means "I love Giorgia" or Marta or Alessandra.
Step 9. Look for the Lesotho or South African embassy closest to where you live, visit it and ask the staff to help you achieve your noble purpose
If they are not willing to help you, ask them why they are not interested in people who want to learn Sesotho.
Advice
- Learn these ten basic phrases:
- Dumela Hello (sing.) / Doo-MAY-lah /
- Dumelang Hello (pl.) / Doo-MAY-LUNG /
-
U phela joang?
How are you? / oop-HEALer-jwang /
- Le phela joang How are you? / lip-HEALer-jwang /
- Kea phela I'm fine / key-upHEAler /
- Rea phela We're fine / re-upHEAler /
-
Uena?
And you? / way-NAH /
- Kea leboha Thank you / key-ah-lay-BOO-ha /
- Tsamaea hantle Goodbye (when the other leaves) / tsah-MY-ah-HUN-clay /
- Hall hantle Goodbye (when you leave) / SAL-ah-HUN-clay /
- In South Sesotho, "li" is pronounced / di / and "lu" is pronounced / du /.
- You can always join the Peace Corps. It's a foolproof method, and will get you to speak Sesotho almost like a Mosotho.
- If you don't learn while having fun, you won't be able to do it. Think about successful people - they must really like what they do. Make learning Sesotho a fun activity: read comics, magazines and surprise native speakers with your skill; flirts with a mosotho (or a mosotho).
- Always use "ntate" when talking to a man and "mme" when talking to a woman. For example, "Khotso ntate" or "Kea leboha mme".
- Ultimately, the method you choose must suit your personal learning style. What learning style did you prefer at school?
Warnings
- The spellings of South Africa and Lesotho are not always identical, although everything else is, including the pronunciation.
- In the Sesotho language there are several difficult sounds to pronounce, such as "Q" and "X", as well as the sounds produced by combining two or more consonants. There is no easy way to learn them other than hearing them directly from the hands-free voice of native speakers and trying to repeat them without fear of making a mistake.
