ChiShona lessons podcast-gctid47431

[tare]

introductory free podcast of ChiShona the language spoken throughout Zimbabwe predominantly. iTunes - Podcasts - Shona Lessons by Kudzai Kativu

[asarhondo]

It is known that the click languages are the oldest languages in the world, i.e. IsiZulu. Shona I have a certain yearning to learn due to Robert Mugabe. Thanks for posting.

[tare]

Your very welcome baba. I haven't encountered any clicks in Shona yet,(i've been studying about a year and a half). It's a Bantu language. Their vocab is quite extensive, and many things in the language have fallen out of use by the younger generations. From what i'm told Shonglish,(Shona and english merged together), is highly common. Dialect could have something to do with it too. The Ndebele might have clicking in their dialect seeing as they are a splinter group of Zulu's who moved from SA circa Shaka's reign. I've been learning from a friend who is Zezuru, and her Shona sounds completely different than others i've heard speak. Here's a clip of Mugabe giving a short speech on Tsvangarai half in english half in Shona. He speaks it "the old poetic way", which is  much much slower and easier to understand than whats commonly spoken amongst young folks, and is great for us beginners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-DSHwYB_D4

[tare]

The only thing im aware of that's anywhere close to clicking is, "Ko", which is a spoken question mark.

[asarhondo]

Mugabe is a great orator in English as well so I am not surprised by the warmth that he displays when speaking Shona. Also, the legacy of Shaka Zulu and the "clicks" within the language are my main attraction to Isi-Zulu. However, after visiting Azania (S.A.) in 2009 I was a bit overwhelmed with the complacent attitude, yet, I am an Kmtyw born in America who is impatient and expected a more nationalist outlook and frame of mind from the Black Kmtyws in Azania. Nevertheless, I'm convinced, that I am that one extra body and mind needed to tip the scale in favor of the people who are restless with the small advances, and want a true Black sovereign state now. One that will allow Kmtyw people to protect, nurture and support themselves.

Nonetheless, I am still in love with the possibilities of Azania and it's strategic location to a coastline (consolidation of the Southern states may take another 20 years) . I have strong feeling that the Southern Kmtyw states are better able to create a nationalist government. Nonetheless, I plan on learning at least two Kmtyw languages fluently. Isi-Zulu, Shona and maybe Swahili.