NALRC “Let’s Speak” African Language Series

Tiyankhule ChiChewa

Let’s Speak ChiChewa (A First-Year Textbook)

David Sani Mwanza

&

Alick Kadango Bwanali

NALRC PRESS

Madison, Wisconsin

2011

“Let’s Speak” African Language Series Antonia Fælárìn Schleicher, Series General Editor Also in the “Let’s Speak” Series: Tuseme Kiswahili, Dardasha: Egyptian Arabic, Tosolola Na Lingala, Masikhulume Isizulu, Let’s Speak Amharic, A Re Bueng Setswana, Ngatitaure Shona, Bua Sesotho, Ma Yenka Akan (Twi), Af Soomaali Aan Ku Hadalno (Hadallo), Mù Zântā Dà Harshèn Hausa, B§t£ Kik£ng¡, Nanu Dégg Wolof, Asikhulume IsiNdebele, Asikulume SiSwati, Ka Anyị Sụọ Igbo, Natulande iciBemba, © 2011 NALRC

The development and the publication of the NALRC “Let’s Speak” African Language Series is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s IEGPS (International and Education and Graduate Programs Service).

NALRC Publications Office

Antonia Folárìn Schleicher, Series General Editor Isaac Akere, Assistant Editor

John Adeika, Production Editor Charles Schleicher, Copy Editor

Aquilina Mawadza, Project Coordinator NALRC “Let’s Speak” African Language Series, Let's Speak Ndebele – Elementary Level Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mwanza, David Sani. Tiyankhule ChiChewa = Let's speak ChiChewa : (a first-year textbook) / David Sani Mwanza & Alick Kadango Bwanali. p. cm. -- (NALRC "Let's speak" African language series) Parallel title: Let's speak ChiChewa English and Chewa. ISBN 978-1-59703-022-9 (softcover : alk. paper) 1. Chewa dialect--Textbooks for foreign speakers--English. 2. Chewa dialect--Grammar. I. Bwanali, Alick Kadango. II. Title. III. Title: Let's speak ChiChewa. IV. Series: Let's speak African language series. PL8110.C52M93 2011 496.391883421--dc22 2011023582

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Let’s Speak African Language Series

The Let’s Speak An African Language series is the first series of Communicatively Oriented African language textbooks developed in the United States. The series is based on the model of Jê K’Á Sæ Yorùbá (Let’s Speak Yoruba) written by Antonia Folarin Schleicher in 1993. The need for the series arose to fill the gap of providing African language learners with not only up to date materials, but also materials that will prepare them to truly communicate in their respective African languages. The series is based on the Communicative Approach to language learning in the sense that learners are provided with activities that will help them to perform functions that native speakers of these languages perform in their appropriate cultural contexts. The grammars and the vocabulary in the textbooks are those that will help the learners to perform appropriate functions. The monologues and the dialogues are authentic in the sense that they present real life situations. The activities in the texts are also tailored to assist learners in acquiring the necessary skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Tiyankhule ChiChewa is the eighteenth in this series to be modeled after Jê K’Á Sæ

Yorùbá. There are African language scholars currently working from the same model for Tigrinya and Pulaar. If you are interested in using this model to develop materials for the language that you teach, please contact the staff of the National African Language Resource Center (NALRC). Manuscripts are subject to external review and need to follow the theoretical framework established for the series. A series such as this depends on the vision, goodwill and labor of many. Special appreciation is extended to the National Security Education Program that provided the original grant that supported the author in developing this textbook. We are also indebted to the U.S. Department of Education’s IEGPS (International and Education and Graduate Programs Service), the NALRC staff, the three anonymous reviewers, the NALRC Advisory Board, as well as various individuals who support the efforts of the NALRC in promoting African language pedagogy nationally and internationally. Without the support, advice and assistance of all, the Let’s Speak African Language Series would not have become a reality. Antonia Folárìn Schleicher Series General Editor

Tiyankhule ChiChewa

Let’s Speak Chichewa

A Multidimensional Approach to the

Teaching and Learning of

ChiChewa

As a Foreign Language

By

David Sani Mwanza

&

Alick Kadango Bwanali

© 2011 The National African Language Resource Center

University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin

USA

ZAMKATIMO / CONTENTS TSAMBA/PAGE

Preface ………………………………………………………………………….... xv Acknowledgements ........................................................... ..................................................... xviii Biography ………………………………………………………………………... xxix 1. Phunzilo loyamba / Preliminary Lesson: …………………………… 1

Social Interaction First Encounter Greetings ………………………………………………. 1 Kupatsana moni pa nthawi yosiyana siyana / Greeting at different times .. 3 Informal greetings/ kupatsana moni kwa chibwana ……………………. 4

Mkhalidwe / Culture/: Greetings/moni ………………………... 5 Banja, Chibale/ Kinship ……………………………………….. 8 Banja: The Extended Family/banja lalikulu …………………… 8

Maina / Names ………………………………………………………… 9 Classroom Expressions ………………………………………………… 11 Vowels and Consonants ……………………………………………….. 13 Syllables ………………………………………………………………... 14 A note on Chewa Consonants ………………………………………….. 14 Tone …………………………………………………………………… 14 Kuwerenga / Counting ………………………………………………… 15 Masiku a mulungu/Days of the Week ………………………………….. 15

2. Kuzidziwitsa/ Lesson One: …………………………………………. 21 Introducing Oneself

Kuziyankhulitsa: Malita talks about herself …………………………….. 21 Kukambirana: Mateyo introduces himself to Tasila ……………………. 22 Asking and Telling Names …………………………………………….. 24 Maiko okhalamo / Nationalities ………………………………………. 24 Kukumana kwa nthawi yoyamba: Meeting for the first time ………….... 25 Kukambirana: Tisauke meets two visitors ……………………………... 25 Galamala / Grammar: Personal Pronouns and Subject Prefixes ……….. 27

Reduplicated Pronouns ……………………………………….... 28 Object Pronouns ……………………………………………….. 28 Conjunctive Pronouns …………………………………………. 28

The Present Habitual Tense ……………………………………………. 29 Ndi angati ? / How many? ……………………………………………… 32 Kukambirana: Professor Miti is greeted by a new Teaching Assistant.. 34

3. Mutu Wa Ciwiri / Lesson Two: ………………………………….. 39 Banja/Family

Kudziyankhulitsa: Malingose talks about her family …………………. 40 Galamala: Zisonyezo / Demonstratives ……………………………… 42 Kukambirana: Taonga and Susana talk about other people …………… 42 Galamala: Afotokozi/ Adjectives ……………………………………. 43

Sound Changes ………………………………………………. 44 Mkhalidwe: Banja/The Family ………………………………………. 45 Nyama / Animals ……………………………………………………. 45 Kuwerenga: 10-1000 ………………………………………………… 46 Galamala: More Tenses ……………………………………………… 46 Recent Past Tense …………………………………………… 47

Negative Tenses …………………………………………….. 48 4. Mutu Wa Citatu / Lesson Three: …………………………………. 53 Activities and Life at Home

Kudziyankhulitsa: Masauso, a university student talks about her two friends 54 Galamala: Zilankhulo / Languages ………………………………….. 56 Malwian Laguages Map ……………………………………… 57 Laguages of Zambia and Malawi ……………………………... 58 Galamala: Mayina / Nouns referring to people ………………………. 59

Possessives ………………………………………………….. 61 Kudziyankhulitsa: Professor Malungo and his guest ………………… 62 Kudziyankhulitsa: Lozi and Milika give a presentation …………….... . 64 Galamala: Negative Tenses ………………………………………….. 65 Kuwunikanso Phunziro / Review …………………………………… 66

5. Mutu Wa Cinai / Lesson Four: …………………………………… 71 Housing and Accommodation

Kudziyankhulitsa: Mose talks about his house ………………………. 72 Mkhalidwe: Houses and Homesteads ……………………………….. 75 Galamala: Locatives ………………………………………………… 76

Animal Class Nouns ………………………………………… 77 Kudziyankhulitsa: Nenani talks about his siblings …………………... 79 Galamala: Expressing what is there? / Kulankhula za zinthu zili kuja?. 79 Kukambirana: Amai Malita asks about Malita's whereabouts ……….. 82

6. Mutu Wa Cisanu / Lesson Five: …………………………………. 89 People, Nationalities and Age

Kudziyankhulitsa: Tasila alankhula za mzake Falesi ………………… 89 Mkhalidwe: Birthdays ………………………………………………. 91 Galamala: Personal Pronouns and Nationalities …………………….. 91 Kukambirana: Lozi talks to Christian ……………………………...... 92 Galamala: Kuwerenga ………………………………………………. 93 Talking about age …………………………………………………… 95 Kukambirana: Mumba meets Lozi and tries to speak to her ………… 96

7. Mutu Wa Cisanu Ndi Cimodzi / Lesson Six: …………………… 99 Personalities

Kudziyankhulitsa: Lufeyo afolokoza za bana lake ….……………….... 99 Mkhalidwe: Concept of Beauty ……………………………………… 103 Galamala: More on Adjectives, Adjectives with Plural Nouns ………. 103

Color Adjectives and Sound Changes ……………………….. 104 Number Adjectives and Animal the Class …..……………………...... 105 Size/Quantity Adjectives and the Animal Class …………………….. 105 Galamala / Grammar: The Verb to have ndi ………………………… 107 Expressing Age ……………………………………………... 107

Negative of the verb to have …………………………………. 108 Kuwunikanso Phunziro / Review …………………………………... 110

8. Mutu Wa Cisanu Ndi Ciwiri / Lesson Seven: …………………… 111 Going on a trip

Kudziyankhulitsa: chifuniro ndi mzake Falesi anayendera Victoria Falls ndi mzake alankhula ulendo wano ..……………… 114 Galamala: Future Tense …………………………………………….. 115

Negative Future Tense ……………………………………… 116 Recent Past Tense …………………………………………... 117 Remote Past Tense …………………………………………. 117 Negative Remote Past ………………………………………. 117 Useful Expression about the past …………………………… 118 The Infinitive ku- …………………………………………… 118 The Negative Infinitive ……………………………………… 118

Kudziyankhu: Lozi alankhula ndi mzake pa lamya ………………….. 121

9. Mutu Wa Cisanu Ndi Citatu / Lesson Eight: ……………………. 125 Means of Transport

Kudziyankhulitsa: Falesi talks about their journey to Harare ………… 125 Maina a miyezi / Names of the Months …………………….. 126 Adverbs and Degree of Frequency Phrases …………………. 127 Manner ……………………………………………………… 128 Time Oriented Adverbs ………………………………………. 128 Past Progressive Tense ……………………………………… 129

Mnjira yotani? / By what means? …………………………………… 130 Kukambirana: Amayi Phiri talks to Amayi Mwale. ………………..…. 131 Galamala: Stative Verbs …………………………………………….. 132

10. Mutu Wa Cisanu Ndi Cinai / Lesson Nine: …………………….. 135 Clothing

Kudziyankhulitsa: Mother talks about dressing for a school occasion.. 136 Galamala: Relative markers ………………………………………… 138

The Interrogative i and -ti? …………………………….... 136 Maonekedwe: Kala/Color ……………………………….………….. 141 Mkhalidwe: Kuvala / Clothing ……………………………………… 143 Kukambirana: Lozi goes to a wedding ………………………………. 145 Kuwunikanso Phunziro / Review …………………………………... 146

11. Mutu Khumi / Lesson Ten: ……………………………………… 149 Shopping

Kudziyankhulitsa: Benson goes shopping …………………………… 150 Manu gwiritsa pogula / Shopping Vocabulary……………………….. 151 Cultural note on Market ………………………………………..…… 152 Kukambirana: Belita is at the market ………………………………… 152 Galamala: li- / ma- noun class ………………………………………. 154

Mono-syllabic and multi-syllabic verbs ……………………… 155 Negative Imperatives ……………………………………….. 155 Subjunctives ………………………………………………... 157 Negative Subjunctives ……………………………………… 158 The subjective and kuti ……………………………..……….. 158

12. Mutu Khumi Ndi Cimodzi / Lesson Eleven: ……………………. 161 Different Foods

Kudziyankhulitsa: Falesi talks about the different foods she eats…….. 161 Nyama / Meat ………………………………………………………. 162 Ndiwo za masamba, zipatso ndi zina / Vegetables, Fruits and other things 163 Some Chewa Traditional Foods ……………………………………... 164 Mayina azophika ndi zophikira/ Some cookery vocabulary …….…… 164 Mkhalidwe: Nsima among the Chewa people ……………………….. 166 Galamala: chi- ~ zvi class of nouns ………………………………… 167 Kukambirana: In a restaurant ……………………………………….. 167

13. Mutu Khumi Ndi Ziwiri / Lesson Twelve: ……………………… 169 Time

Kudziyankhulitsa: Belita talks about her day ………………………… 169 Galamala: Nthawi / Time ………………………………………….... 171 Time words …………………………………………………………. 172 Mkhalidwe: Nthawi …………………………………………………. 172 Galamala: Conjunctions …………………………………………….. 175 Kukambirana: Asking about the time ……………………………….. 176 Kupitamonso ……………………………………………………….. 177

14. Mutu Khumi Ndi Citatu / Lesson Thirteen : …………………… 179 Professions

Kudziyankhulitsa / Monologue………………………….…………… 180 Galamala: Asking about people's professions ………………………… 182 Kukambirana: Lufeyo meets his primary school teacher ……………… 184 Galamala: Abstract Nouns …………………………………………… 185

Expressing still..., Expressing Can …., ............................................ 186 Occupations in the rural and urban settings …………….…………… 187

15. Mutu Khumi Ndi Zinayi / Lesson Fourtheen: …………………… 189 Ceremonies and celebrations

Kudziyankhulitsa: Father calls aunt …………………………………… 189 Words on celebration …………………………………………………. 190 Ukwati: Important Chewa ceremonies (Marriage)..……………………. 191 Congratulatory Expressions …………………………………………… 192 Condolences Expressions …………………………………………….. 192

Galamala: Asking about ceremonies ………………………………….. 193 Locatives …………………………………………………….. 193

Galama: Passive -w-, -iw-, -ew-, causative -is ~ -es- ………………….... 194 Chewa Traditional Celebrations ……………………………………… 195 Chewa Modern Celebrations and Public Holidays ……………………. 195 Kukambirana: Malita talks about a wedding invitation ……………… 196

16. Mutu Khumi Ndi Zisanu / Lesson Fifteen:……………………… 199 Daily Routinue

Kufotokoza: Hilida’s mother talks about her daily chores at her rural home 200 Cultural note on daily chores ………………………………………… 202 Galamala: ka- ~ ti- Nouns .......................................................................... 203

Ku - Verbal Nouns .......................................................................... 203 Kukambirana: Amayi Thomas meets her sister in town ……………..... 204 Kuwunikanso Phunziro / Review …………………………………… 203

17. Mutu Khumi, Zisanu Ndi Cimodzi / Lesson Sixteen: ………….. 209 Languages and Countries of Africa

Kudziyankhulitsa: Lozi introduces her cousin Lumbiwe …………….. 209 Malawian National Anthem ………………………………………….. 210 Useful Terms on Countries ………………………………………….. 213 Galamala: The adjective ambiri / many ……………………………… 214

Expressing –modzi-, -na ~ one, same, another, certain …………. 215 Expressing -onse ~ -ekha all, alone ……………………….. 215 The mu- ~ mi- noun class ………………………………….. 215

Mkhalidwe: About the ChiChewa Language ……………..…………. 217 Nkhani / Narration: Professor Mwanza talks about the countries he has visited …………………………………. 218

18. Mutu Khumi, Zisanu Ndi Ziwiri / Lesson Seventeen: …….…… 221 Asking and Giving Directions

Kudziyankhulitsa: Belita gives the directions to her house .…………. 222 Direction Vocabulary ……………………………………………….. 224 Mkhalidwe: Asking for Directions …………………………………… 224 Galamala: Expressing about to........................................................................ 225

Neuter Verb Extension -ik- ~ -ek- ………………………….. 229 lu- Noun Class ………………………………………………. 230

Kukambirana: Misozi gets lost in town ……………………………… 230 19. Mutu Khumi, Zisanu, Ndi Zitatu / Lesson Eighteen: …………… 233 University Life

Kudziyankhulitsa: Kelvin speaks about his studies at university ……… 233 Mkhalidwe: Traditional and Modern Forms of Education ……………. 236 Galamala: Professions ………………………………………………... 238 Kukambirana: Telephone Conversation ……………………………... 239 Kuwunikanso Phunziro / Review................................................................. 240

Appendix: Agreement Prefixes …………………………………………… 243 Chewa -English Glossary ……………………………………………….… 245 English- Chewa Glossary …………………………………………………. 271 References……………………………………………………………….…. 296

243 Appendix: Chewa Agreement Prefixes

PRONOUN

/CLASS

NOUN PREFIX PRESENT

SUBJECT

PREFIX-

PAST

SUBJECT

PREFIX

ADJECTIVE

PREFIX

DEMONSTRATIVE

PREFIX

POSSESSIVE

PREFIX

QUANTITATIVE

PREFIX

OBJECT

PREFIX

Ine (I) - ndi- na- - - - nd- -ndi-

Iwe

(You, sg)

- u- na- - - - w- -ku-

Iye (He/

She)

- a- na- - - - - -mu-

Ife(We) - ti- na- - - - t- -ti-

Inu

(You, pl)

- mu- na- - - - m- -ku-

Iwo

(They)

- na- na- a- - - w- -wa-

1 Mu- na- na- mu- uyu/o wa- w- -mu

2 a- na- na- a- awa/o wa- w- -wa-

1a na- na- a- awa/o wa- w- -ma-

2a Ana- na- na- va- awa/o wa- w- -wa-

244

3 Mu- u- na- mu- uyu/o wa- w- -u-

4 mi- i- na- mi- iyi/o ya- y- -i-

5 li- li- la- - ili/o la- l- -li-

6 Ma- a- a- ma- aya/o a- - -a-

7 Chi- chi- cha- chi- ichi/o cha- ch- -chi-

8 zi- zi- za- zi- izi/o za- za- -zi-

9 i- i- ya- - iyi/o ya- y- -i-

10 Dzi- dzi- dza- - idzi/o dza- dz- -dzi-

11 **ru- **ru- **rwa- **ru- **urwu/o **rwa- **rw- **-ru-

12 ka- ka- ka- ka- aka/o ka- k- -ka-

13 tu- tu- twa- tu- utu/o twa- tw- -tu-

14 u- ku- kwa- ku- uku/o kwa- kw- -ku-

15 Ku- Ku kwa- ku- uku/o kwa- kw- -ku-

16 Pa- pa- pa- pa- apa/o pa- p- -pa-

17 Ku- ku- kwa ku- uku/o kwa- kw- -ku-

18 Mu- mu- ma- mu- umu/o ma- m- -mu-

21 zi- ri- ra- zi- iri/o ra- r- -ri-

245

Chewa – English Glossary

A

afanana they look alike

Agogo aamuna grandfather,

Ai No

akauntanti Accountant

akazi Women

ako Your

alendo Visitors

amafuna s/he wants

amayi mother, Mrs

amakonda s/he likes

amaphunzira s/he is studying/reading

Agogo aakazi Grandmother

Amereka America

amphawi poor (people)

amuna Men

ana Children

anga My

anthu people

anyamata boys

anyezi onion/s

apo over there

apongozi aunt (mother-in-law)

apongozi paternal aunt

asitironoti an astronaut

abambo father

atsikana girls

246

awa these (people)

awiri two

awo those (people)

B

-badwa be born

bakha duck

banja family

banki bank

basi bus

botani botany

botolo a bottle

buku book

bukushopu/sitolo bookshop/store

bulauni brown

bulauzi blouse/s

buleki a break

bulu blue

buluku long trousers/pants

bwalo

khomo

yard

home/door

bwalo la ndege airport

bwalo lamilandu court of law

bwanji? what’s up?

bwenzi friend

bwera come

bwereza repeat (singular)

bwerezani repeat (plural/honorific)

247

-bwino good / nice / beautiful /handsome

C

-okha only / just

chabwino All right

chabwino ok

chachikulu big / large

chaka chatsopano chabwino Happy New Year!

chaka chatsopano/nyuwere New Year

chakudya Food

chakumwa drink

-chenjera clever, bright

chezera visit

chabwino it is alright

chaka chamawa next year

chaka chatha Last year

chikasu yellow

chipwitikizi Portuguese language

chisumbu island

chiti? which ones?

choonadi truth

chiyani? What?

chifukwa because / due to

chifukwa cha ichi therefore

chigawo cha boma government ministry

chiJapanizi Japanese language

chiJeremani German language

chikondi like/love

248

chikondwerero celebration

chikwi thousand

chikwi chimodzi one thousand

chimanga corn/maize

china another

chinanazi Pineapple

chingelezi English language

chinthu a thing

chipatso Fruit

chisoti a hat

chita do/make

chithunzi Picture

chitsanzo Example

chiyankhulo Language

chizindikiro Seal

chona/pusi/mphaka cat/s

chotsela minus, subtract

choyamba First

D

dipatimenti

department

digirii university degree

dilesi a dress

dimba garden

Disembala December

disiko disco

dizeteshoni dissertation/thesis

dotolo doctor

249

duku type of a veil

dwala be sick

dzana day before yesterday

dziko country

dzina name

dzinja summer

dzira/mazira egg/s

dziwa Know

dziwitsa Introduce

dzuka wake up

dzulo Yesterday

E

ena Others

Epulo April

F

Famasisiti

Pharmacist

Febuluwale February

fika arrive, reach

filosofe Philosophy

fizikisi Physics

Foloko a fork

Fulati flat/apartment

funafuna/saka search for

Funsa Ask

-fupi short

a glass

250

G

galasi

galimoto cars

galu dog

gawo/dera/sukulu faculty

geti gate

galajuweshoni graduation

gileyi gray

gilovu glove/s

go go go knock knock knock

gona sleep

gula buy

gulitsa sell

gwiritsa use, utilize

H

hafu

half

hisitole history

hositelo hall of residence

I

ichi this

chinthu ichi this thing

ifa die

ife we/us

ifeyo we (emphasis)

ikonomisiti economist

ima stand, wait, stop