I'm off to a part of Zambia in a few weeks and I'm told that besides some English, the local staff speaks Kaonde. I'd like to impress them with a few common phrases, but an Internet search has turned up absolutely nothing. Anybody have a resource for this language or even a few helpful phrases?

GL

The natives will expect you to be an ignorant white man(I assume you are white)Don't compound the fact by butchering their language. You will pick up a few phrases as your trip progresses and you'll be able to get the pronunciation correct. If the crew thinks you are really interested they will help you.

Regards,

Mark

Owande bwana ha ba tore ca ca poo poo means hello...

G.L.- you have got to be impressed with Ray's knowledge of the African language. I'd certainly not hesitate practicing what he has written!

John

Or dose it mean "Take my rifle and shoot me"
or "I'll take your ugly daughter??"

Got to watch these phrases. I got set up once. Long story.

Not that Ray, of all people, would pull a joke on someone.

The 'ca ca poo poo' part is essential to remember....

The ca ca poo poo is an inside joke that I will share with all of you...

Professional Hunter Pierre van Tonder and I were flying to my home in Idaho where he usually spends a week or two every year and the airlines had our tickets messed up an not sitting together and the plane was full...I told Pierre to go along with me and I would fix things so we went to the ticket counter and I told them he spoke no English, only Africaner and bush Kwa Swahalie, and we needed to sit together so that I might translate to him..We got the seating changed and I turned to him and said Sawbona Bwana, wande papa too belinde ca ca poo poo much to the amazment of the ticket taker, Pierres jaw was taught, his face was red and obviously was about too burst with laughter but like a good little buckaroo he played out the part and said something in shona as I recall, once away from the scene he went into hysterics...ON the plane he played the part to the bitter end when the stu kept asking me to ask him questions and she was very impressed iwth this bronze PH from Africa, when we departed the plane he made his play in English and got her phone number...I don't know where it went form there but she said I was a naughty boy ....

Here's another phrase that Ray taught me. It means "let's go bird hunting". Say it slowly at first then as you get the words down pat, say it quickly.

O Watta Go Sy Am

Hope this helps!

John

Mwabuka byepi----- Good morning
Twabukatu burong------ I am fine
Mabaga mwane -------Good afternoon
Muji byepi---------How are you

Zambian, thanks for the first "real" answer to my post. This was exactly what I wanted and you have come through for me again.

As far as pronunciation goes, three questions:

1. Does the "u" (ex: Twabukatu) sound like "you"?

2. Does the "e" (ex: mwane or byepi) sound like "see" or "hey"?

3. Does the "i" (ex: byepi) sound like "eye"?

Thanks.

"u" oo
"e" ey
"i" ee

hope this makes sense