Monday 22 June 2009

How BBC Somali Service frustrates efforts of students learning Somali as a second language

In a BBC Somali Service programme (04:00 GMT) Yoonis Cali Nuur, a veteran broadcaster introduces an interview with Maxamuud Guure, a member of the London based Somali Concern. In the audio clip Siciid Cali Muuse of the BBC Somali Service is interviewing Mr Guure. Yoonis Cali Nuur's introductory remarks were: " Maxamuud Guure oo ururkaasi ka tirsan ayaa Siciid Cali Muuse Waxa uu weyddiiyey sida ay u arkaan in dhibaatooyinka loo xallin karo." To the Somali language learner or anyone familiar with the Somali language grammar, Yoonis's introductory remarks mean the oppossite of what he wanted to say: that Mr Guure has interviewed Siciid Cali Muuse. This is another example about how we, Somalis, take liberty with Somali grammar and expect listeners or readers to understand us because we assume they know the situation or the roles of people in the story or a piece of writing: Since Siciid Cali Muuse is one of the BBC Somali Service broadcasters a Somali listener may pay less attention to the grammaticality of a sentence, and conclude that it is only a BBC staff member who interviews someone at the BBC. The focus word ayuu in reference to Siciid Cali Muuse would render the introductory remarks grammatically correct, and save a transcriber or translator confusion."Maxamuud Guure oo ururkaasi ka tirsan ayuu Siciid Cali Muuse weyddiiyey sida ay u arkaan in dhibaatooyinka loo xallin karo" or “Siciid Cali Muuse ayaa weyddiiyey Maxamuud Guure oo ururkaasi ka tirsan sida ay u arkaan in dhibaatooyinka loo xallin karo.”

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sxb Ayaa iyo Ayuu waxay wadaagaan astaamaha shaqo laakiin midi waxay samaysaa Weedh magaceedda midda kalena Weedh faleedka haddaad faahfaahin u baahan tahay soo ablay-garee Dugsigayga waan ku aqbalayaaye!

Ciyaalka Xaafadda said...

Waxay tibaaxaysaa dhimaalada af Soomaaliga sida joogtada ah loogu geysto, gaar ahaan dhimaalka wariyeyaasha aqoonta yar u geystaan afka sii dhimanaya.

Anonymous said...

Dear Libaan,
The Somali language has been selected to be one of the working languages in the Horn of Africa as it is one of the main cross-border languages spoken in East Africa by millions of transnational peoples by the Academy of African Languages (ACALAN, http://www.acalan.org/eng/ala/ala.php). This means, among other things, that the Somali language will now have to be taught in schools in the Horn. I have been following this development for some time and i think that this is a great achievement for our people and for our cultural heritage!

ACALAN is now looking for prominent Somali members to join the Cross-Border Language Commission on the regional level of the Horn and of East Africa as well. Please see below email from Dr. Tasew of ACALAN/Addis Ababa University.

I need to forward you that email, so please provide me with your email. Mine is spoetress@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

"ayaa" waa diiradeeye ee Mawduuc magaceed (Yeele iyo/ama LaYeele).

"ayuu" waa diiradeeye ee Mawduuc magaceed raacsan yeelaha ficilka ee qofka sadexaad oo lab ah.

Anonymous said...

Saxniin yar ku saabsan faallada hore iyo middayda:

"ayaa" waa Diiradeeye ee Mawduuc Weer Magaceed.

"ayuu"-na sidoo kale, waxaa laakiin raacsan qofka sadexaad lab ah ee ficilka.