The Zarma course "Cawyan Zarma sanni"

General

The course "Studying the Zarma language" encompass five linked components:

  • the lessons, or actual course
  • the answer book
  • the pronunciation guide
  • the grammar help
  • the dictionary (Zarma - English)

The course

The course will eventually consists of about 26 lessons. Each lesson starts with an introduction in Zarma, e.g. a short story, which is followed by the vocabulary and grammar. Words are classified in verbs, nouns and other words. In addition to the translation an indication of the pronunciation is provided. An explanation of the pronunciation is given in the pronunciation guide. Each lesson ends with some exercises to practise the newly learned words and grammar.

In the first ten lessons attention will be paid to greetings, just before the grammar topics are discussed. The ritual of greeting is very important in Zarma society, as well as in many other African countries. One takes time for greeting before coming to the topic to be discussed. It goes far beyond the "Hello" and "How are you?" used in western Europe.

The answer book

The answer book can be used to check your answers and to check whether or not you comprehend the subject matter discussed and explained in the lesson.

The pronunciation guide

The pronunciation guide provides a general view of the tones used in Zarma, as well as an indication of the pronunciation. This guide also explains how to use the indications of the pronunciation of each new word given in the vocabulary of each lesson. To learn more about the pronunciation you can always click the pronunciation icon see icon right. Open the Pronunciation Guide in a new window

The grammar help

The grammar help provides an overview per topic. Most grammar topics are not discussed and explained in one lesson but by gradual stages in several lessons. The grammar help gives you an opportunity to keep an overview of the entire subject matter of the topic. References are made to the lessons in which the topic is discussed and explained.

The dictionary

The dictionary (Zarma - English) makes it possible to easily find the translation of a Zarma word, So as not to leaf through the lessons to find the word in one of the vocabulary lists. Nevertheless, in the dictionary a reference is provided to the lesson in which the word is introduced.



Origin of words

In the few cases where the word used is known to be of Hausa, Arabic or French origin, it is indicated with an (H), (A), or an (F) in the vocabulary of the lessons. There is even one word of Greek origin (Gr).



Spelling of words

The spelling system used in this internet course follows the system of the available loose-leaf paper courses (see credits). In those courses it is stated that the authors have tried to follow the rules laid down by the Education Ministry of the Niger Republic (early 1980thies). And that there were a few words which the Ministry insisted had to be spelled a certain way, but which nearly all Zarmas pronounce a bit differently. This is because of the existing differences of pronunciation among Zarmas, the Songhais and the Dandis. Where such a word occurs in the vocabularies, it is indicated how it should be pronounced, as the spelling will not fit the spoken word. These words shall also be marked in the margin with a tilde between brackets (~).


 


Last updated: 09 maart 2006