Are there any good basic Shona language instruction materials? I thought it would be worthwhile learning a little before my trip in a couple of months.

Try:
http://www.shonalanguage.info/

Join the Peace Corpse.

Marty:

I have the complete set of Shona FSI tapes from www.worldlanguage.com that I would sell to you. I also have a digital tape player made for these type of tapes.

I am travelling now, but please PM if interested and I will get back to you this weekend if not sooner if possible. I would sell the pkg for $125.00 shipped which is less than 1/2 cost new. All are in excellent shape as I did not even get through a couple of the tapes.

Regards,

RCG

quote:

Originally posted by Colonel_Klink:
Join the Peace Corpse.

Klink, you are clearly a dick.

Marty, it is a great idea to learn a little Shona before your hunt and it will stand you in good stead. You will note that the simplest greeting will bring about a very positive reaction. I don't think you should try and learn too much, just the greetings and some other basics. You will learn more on the hunting rig that in any book, especially if the crew see you are keen. If you want, I can send you the greetings and whatever else I think may help. Just drop me a line - hulmour@yahoo.com.

Hope you have a great trip. Where are you hunting and for what, if you don't mind me asking?

David

My favorite Shona word -- mangwana -- frequently used in the context of chores at home.

Marty,

As David said, a few words of greeting in the morning or a thank you and good evening at the end of the day, go a long way. To better enjoy your hunt, I recommend learning as many of the animal names as possible. It is nice to know at least what animal the crew is talking about as they huddle over a track or spot something from the truck.

Here are a few (Please excuse spelling if not perfect!)

Buffalo - Nyati
Lion - Shumba
Elephant - Nzou
Leopard - Imbada, Ingwe
Impala - Mhara
Eland - Moph
Kudu - Nhoro
Zebra - Mbizi
Warthog - Njiri
Hippo - Mvu
Giraffe - Twiza
Hyena - Bere
Sable - Mharapara
Bushpig - Ngurungunda
Wildebeest - Nkongoni

The little guys - klippi, duiker, etc. escape me right now. Maybe David can add a few more. Also helpful are:

Mfasi - Female
Makuru - Male

Marty: You have a PM

acquire a sleeping dictionary

This is a multiple tuskless cow hunt with Buzz Charlton in the Makuti area.
I have ordered a couple basic items from Amazon. I'm really just looking to show a bit of effort, be able to exchange pleasantries, and so on. I've found that hello, goodbye, please and thank you go a long way.
A small book will go with me, but I found a piece of software that may help with pronounciation.
The shonalanguage link is pretty cool.

Moshe-Moshe.

Sukura
Rich
Buff Killer

You are going to love hunting with Buzz.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
This is a multiple tuskless cow hunt with Buzz Charlton in the Makuti area.
I have ordered a couple basic items from Amazon. I'm really just looking to show a bit of effort, be able to exchange pleasantries, and so on. I've found that hello, goodbye, please and thank you go a long way.
A small book will go with me, but I found a piece of software that may help with pronounciation.
The shonalanguage link is pretty cool.

Once you show "a bit of effort" watch out. If your trackers are regular good guys, like I've experienced, be prepared for everything between the sun and the moon (literally, including the sun and the moon) to be explained to you in Shona AND Matebele. They lost me "at hello".

I have a CD I'd be glad to recommend to you, if the above doesn't prove enough for you.

You're right though. If you show the slightest bit of effort, it will do a world of good for you and show them that you're not just there for "a trophy". I took a lot of ribbing from the PH for piss-poor pronuciation on the words I had tried to learn before I got there, but the trackers were delighted.

Good hunting.

Try this link

Shona

Unless you are a quick learner, concentrate on the greetigns, handshakes, thank you's and common phrases including animals.

I have found many, many understand english and speak it. Last year I was waiting on the truck and the driver struck a conservation in english. This was in the Binga area in Zim.. I found the trackers etc speak in their tribal language but have a total understanding of english as this is now taught in many schools. One should know this before shooting off thinking the trackers don't understand english.

Maybe it is better to understand the native language so you can tell what their true thoughts are and when they talk about your F*ck ups.