One of my favorite things in Lesotho is learning their language, Sesotho. It is so different from English; it has sounds we don’t have that are really hard for our mouths to make. After studying Communication Sciences for three and a half years and working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant for a semester, I am fascinated with it. I’m having so much fun. And I want to share it with you!
Some rules (I’ll try to explain as best as I can!):
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“TH” sounds like “t”
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“TS” sounds like a harsh “s,” basically what it looks like
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“KH” is a palatal fricative – make a “k” sound and then prolong it
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“TL” is also a palatal fricative, but with lateral airflow – make a “k” sound, but make the sound come out the sides of your tongue… sounds a little bit like a cat hissing… or a duck
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“HL” is kind of like saying “hwuh” but as far back in your mouth as you can
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“LU” and “LI” are pronounced with the “D” sound (“du” and “di”) while “LE” and “LO” are pronounced with the “L” sound (“le” and “lo”)
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They roll their r‘s!
Let’s learn Sesotho!
|
Hello |
lumela |
doo-may-la |
|
Thank you |
kealeboha |
key-ah-lay-boo-ha |
|
Please |
keakopa |
key-ah-koh-pah |
|
I love you |
keaurata |
key-ay-oo-rrah-tuh |
|
Sorry |
phepi |
peh-pee |
|
What is your name? |
omang |
oh-mah-ng |
|
How are you? |
ho joang |
hoo zjoo-ayng |
|
How old are you? |
o lelimo li kae |
oo lee-dee-mo dee kai |
|
Do you need help? |
ohlokathuso |
oh-hlo-kah-too-so |
|
I don’t know |
hake tsebe |
ha-ket say-be |
|
Stop |
butle |
boo-tlay |
|
Sister |
ausi |
ow-see |
|
Play |
bapala |
bah-pah-luh |
|
Happy |
kethabile |
key-tab-ee-lay |
|
Water |
metsi |
mey-tsee |
|
Mother |
mme |
mm-may |
|
Father |
ntate |
nn-tah-tay |
|
Friend |
motsoalle |
mote-sue-ah-lay |
|
Help me |
nthuse |
nn-too-say |
|
I’m tired |
kekhathetse |
kay-khah-tet-see |
|
Where are you going? |
oeakea |
oh-ee-uh-kai |
|
Where? |
kae |
kai |
|
What? |
eng |
eyng |
|
Why? |
hobaneng |
ho-bah-ning |
|
Name |
lebitso |
ley-beet-soh |
|
I’m learning Sesotho |
keituta sesotho |
kay-ee-too-tah sey-soot |
|
Beautiful |
botle |
bow-tlay |
Enjoy learning and trying these Sesotho phrases!
Fun game: send me messages attempting these new sounds! We have really only mastered the pronunciation and use of “lumela,” “kealeboha,” “metsi,” and “omang.” The little ones call us “ausi,” meaning “sister,” which is the sweetest thing. We’re going to keep learning, and I’ll keep passing along what we learn!
All my love,
Jess
