Table Of ContentA Rough Guide to IciBemba
Volume 1 of the hopefully soon-to-exist, volunteer/co-worker produced:
EWB Language Guide Series
Written by: Owen Scott, Elias Mutwale
Table of Contents
Section Page
Disclaimer 1
Preface 2
On the Importance of Language 3
Pronunciation 4
Greetings 5
Verbs (conjugation) 6
Verbs (list) 11
Feelings 12
Times 13
Some Nouns 14
Connecting Words 15
Other Useful Things 16
Sentences 17
Disclaimer
It is almost certain that not everything in this guide is correct. However, much of it is.
There…it’s been said.
1
Preface
I developed this guide during my last few weeks in Zambia as a way to help future EWB
volunteers (and volunteers with other organizations) to learn Bemba prior to leaving for
overseas. The impetus for the guide came from the many nights I spent sitting alone by
candlelight studying verb conjugation by written practice; I simply felt like much of the
study I did while in Zambia could have been done more effectively prior to leaving (and
with less opportunity cost related to other cool stuff).
I am by no means fluent in Bemba; in fact, I can barely speak the language at all, and
have never held down anything close to a conversation. However, I did learn a lot in my
time overseas, and feel that that knowledge is valuable and worth sharing.
This guide was written by me (Owen), and then edited and contributed to heavily by my
friend, co-worker, and primary Bemba teacher Elias Mutwale. He even edited some of
my English. I can’t express in words how grateful I was for his help, and hope that many
future volunteers from EWB can participate in collaborative efforts such as this to take
our organizational language learning capacity to another level.
This guide is not a “how-to guide”, nor is it an “exercise book”, nor is it divided into bite-
size lessons. Rather, it is simply an organized presentation of information. It is up to the
reader to decide how this information is to be used/learned. I trust you to figure this one
out for yourself…
(also, any questions about this guide, contact: [email protected])
2
On the Importance of Language
Understanding and speaking the local language while overseas can bring you many
things. It can gain you added trust, it can bring you added comprehension of your
surroundings, and it can allow you to interact more enjoyably with other people.
However, there are more important reasons to learn language as well.
In Zambia, as in many countries, English is the official language but it is no one’s first
language. English is learned in school, and, in most cases, school is not free. Thus, I
might posit that English language ability and socio-economic status correlate fairly
closely.
For this reason, as a volunteer, by limiting yourself to effective communication only in
English, you are also severely reducing your ability to even interact with the poorest of
the poor; the people whose lives and opportunities you are ostensibly overseas to help
improve. For me, this is the most important of many good reasons why language learning
should continue to be a core organization value of EWB, and why we desperately need to
work as an organization to make sure that resources and techniques are available to help
our volunteers turn ambition into action with regards to language. Hopefully this guide
can be a start.
3
Pronunciation
Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be close. You will learn more once you get there.
Everything in this guide is written very phonetically, so follow this outline and you will
be fine.
Vowels: ‘a’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’
‘e’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘mate’
‘i’ – like the ‘i’ in ‘ski’
‘o’ – like the ‘oa’ sound in ‘coat’
‘u’ – like the ‘oo’ sound in ‘cool’
Most consonants are pronounced the same as in English. There are a few exceptions:
Consonants: ‘c’ – like the ‘ch’ in ‘chair’
‘b’ – like a mix of ‘b’, ‘w’, and ‘v’ (try saying all three at once)
‘ ng’ ‘ – like the ‘ng’ in ‘singing’
4
Greetings
During your time in Zambia you will be constantly greeting people. Exchanging
greetings and enquiring as to other people’s well-being is an integral part of the Zambian
culture.
Usually, when first meeting someone (even if you know them already) you should start
with a “hello”. Depending on the context and time of day, what “hello” you use will vary.
Following this initial greeting, you should move on to ask how they are. There is
essentially no limit to the number of enquiries you can make (although there kind of
it…it’s situation dependent…not that I really ever understood anything that well), so feel
free to use more than one in succession. The list that follows is a list of some of the basic
greetings to get you started. You will learn more as you travel.
“Hellos”
iciBemba English When to Use
Greeting: Mwashibukeni? Good morning?
Morning
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.
Greeting: Mwaikaleni? You’ve been good?
Afternoon
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.
Greeting: Cungulo mukwai. Good evening mukwai? Evening
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.
Greeting: Mwapoleeni? Hello?
Anytime
Reponse: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.
Greeting: Mwabombeni? Work’s good? When someone’s
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. working.
5
“How are you?’s”
iciBemba English When to Use
Greeting: Muli Shaani? How are you?
Anytime
Response: Bwino. Well.
Greeting: Mwashibukashaani? How did you sleep?
Morning
Response: Bwino. Well.
Greeting: Mwaikalashaani
Afternoon
Response: Bwino. Well.
Greeting: Mwabombashaani? How has work been?
At/after work.
Reponse: Bwino. Well
Greeting: Kung’anda Kulishaani? How’s home?
Anytime.
Response: Kung’anda Kuliye Bwino Home is well.
6
Verbs (conjugation)
Verb conjugation can be one of the most beneficial things to study before going overseas.
If you intend to learn the language beyond simple greetings, there is no getting around
learning the grammar rules surrounding verbs. The following section lists some of the
most important verb tenses you will use while speaking Bemba. (Note: in Bemba, the
very itself never changes based on conjugation; only the words that precede it do).
Past Tense (yesterday or before)
English iciBemba
I verbed Nali verb
You verbed Wali verb
He/She verbed Ali verb
We verbed Twali verb
They verbed Bali verb
You (plural) verbed Mwali verb
English iciBemba
I didn’t verb Nsha verb
You didn’t verb Tawa verb
He/She didn’t verb Ta verb
We didn’t verb Tatwa verb
They didn’t verb Taba verb
You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwa verb
Past Tense (earlier today)
English iciBemba
I verbed Naci verb
You verbed Waci verb
He/She verbed Aci verb
We verbed Twaci verb
They verbed Baci verb
You (plural) verbed Mwaci verb
English iciBemba
I didn’t verb Nshaci verb
You didn’t verb Tawaci verb
He/She didn’t verb Taci verb
We didn’t verb Tatwaci verb
They didn’t verb Tabaci verb
You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwaci verb
7
Past Tense (very recent…almost present)
English iciBemba
I’ve verbed Na verb
You’ve verbed Wa verb
He/She has verbed A verb
We have verbed Twa verb
They have verbed Ba verb
You (plural) have verbed Mwa verb
English iciBemba
I haven’t verbed Nshi verb
You haven’t verbed Tau verb
He/She hasn’t verbed Ta verb
We haven’t verbed Tatu verb
They haven’t verbed Taba verb
You (plural) haven’t verbed Tamu verb
Present Tense
English iciBemba
I’m verbing Nde verb
You’re verbing Ule verb
He/She is verbing Ale verb
We’re verbing Twale verb
They’re verbed Bale verb
You’re (plural) verbed Mule verb
English iciBemba
I’m not verbing Nshile verb
You’re not verbing Taule verb
He/She isn’t verbing Tale verb
We’re not verbing Tatule verb
They’re not verbing Tabale verb
You’re (plural) not verbing Ta-mule verb
8
