Masomo ya Kisasa: Contemporary Readings in Swahili (Yale Language Series)

This intermediate-level textbook is designed to enable students to read and understand authentic texts in Swahili, the most widely spoken language in East and Central Africa. The book is unique among available Swahili readers in its use of contemporary passages, in its inclusion of texts on a range of topics from cooking and courtship manuals to politics and poetry, in the comprehensiveness of its grammatical and cultural notes, and in its emphasis on the development of communicative skills. Each of the lessons begins with a reading, which is accompanied by glosses in Swahili that define the vocabulary of each passage. The lessons include grammatical notes that discuss the more complex structures of Swahili, cultural notes that provide both background information on issues and references to other sources on the reading topic, graded questions to assess comprehension, and suggested class activities to facilitate conversational interaction and foster the development of pragmatic and cultural skills. Each lesson is illustrated with an appropriate sketch or photograph. An extensive glossary is provided at the end of the book. The book provides a transition to unassisted reading of original Swahili texts such as newspapers, popular magazines, government documents, and technical materials. It is also a helpful and enjoyable tool for classroom or independent use. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 1. Nchi Yetu (Geography)......Page 19 2. Mapishi (Cooking)......Page 31 3. Popo (Natural History)......Page 45 4. Kujipatia Mchumba (Courtship and Marriage)......Page 55 5. Mumbi Ahojiwa (Historical Fiction)......Page 67 6. Misingi ya Uandishi wa Barua Zetu (Letter Writing)......Page 87 7. Komenjue (Legend)......Page 101 8. Siku ya Kupiga Kura (Voting)......Page 115 9. Naushangilia Mlima wa Kenya (Kenyan Political History)......Page 129 10. Ngoma za Waswahili (Dance)......Page 141 11. Tembelea Ngome Yesu Mombasa (History of Mombasa)......Page 157 12. Mikoko, Samaki ni Maarufu Lamu (Economic Life)......Page 169 13. Kwa Nini Nife? (Detective Story)......Page 179 14. Mitihani ya Kiswahili (Education)......Page 201 15. Habari za CCM (Politics of Tanzania)......Page 219 16. Huduma za Matatu ni Muhimu (Transportation)......Page 231 17. Asili ya Waswahili na Kiswahili Chenyewe (History of Kiswahili)......Page 243 18. Kunguni Ageuka Mzuka (Science Fiction)......Page 255 19. Elimu katika Kenya na Marekani ya Kaskazini (Comparative Education)......Page 271 20. Mapambano Yanaendelea (Tanzanian Political History)......Page 289 21. Watu na Punda (Folk tale)......Page 307 22. Tanzania Kabla ya Utawala wa Kigeni (Tanzanian History)......Page 319 23. Pongezi Mwalimu Nyerere (International Relations)......Page 341 24. Kwa Heri Ramadhani (Islam)......Page 351 25. Shida (Contemporary Fiction)......Page 359 26. Mpango wa Maendeleo wa Mwaka 1980-1981 (Economics)......Page 377 27. Mke Mwenza (Drama)......Page 387 28. Mshairi wa Kiswahili (Literary Criticism)......Page 407 29. Uhaba wa Kazi (Poetry)......Page 421 30. Soga (Jokes)......Page 431 31. Rangi Zetu (Poetry)......Page 441 Parts of the Body......Page 450 Glossary......Page 451 Credits......Page 491 An intermediate level textbook designed to enable students to read and understand authentic texts in Swahili. It uses contemporary passages and includes texts on a range of topics from cooking and courtship to politics and poetry. It also contains questions and suggested activities. Ann Biersteker With May Balisidya, Vicki Carstens, Joseph Mabwa ; Illustrations By Janet Allen, Dennis Doughty. Includes Bibliographical References.