How to Learn Sotho Online

The meerkat, famous animal of the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa.

The Sotho language, also referred to as Southern Sotho or Sesotho, is a Bantu language spoken in Southern Africa. Sesotho (pronounced se-SOO- too) is an official language of the countries of Lesotho and South Africa, and is also spoken in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Though not one of the more widely studied languages of the world, you can nevertheless find the resources online needed to start working toward your goals of fluency in Sesotho.

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the sounds of Sesotho. Though Sesotho is written using the Latin alphabet, the sounds as they correspond to the letters is different than in English. The sound chart available on Sesotho Online (sesotho.web.za) shows the pronunciation of the Sesotho alphabet as it corresponds to sounds in English. Practice pronouncing the alphabet and sounds so you will be able to understand the pronunciation of new phrases and words.

2. Practice some phrases. Sesotho Online offers different sections related to aspects of Sesotho language learning. Depending on your goals in learning Sesotho, you will need different vocabulary. If you are relocating to southern Africa for a job, you will need to know the vocabulary and common phrases for your work as well as those for daily activities and errands. If you are marrying into a Sesotho-speaking family, the vocabulary may be less formal though likely richer and more challenging. If you are planning a trip to Sesotho-speaking countries, basic travel phrases regarding food, hotels and transport will help you. Though many Sesotho-speaking countries also count English as an official language, try to push yourself to speak Sesotho with the locals. Attempting to speak the native language of a country enhances your travel experience and is appreciated by the locals.

3. Find some native speakers. You can get in contact with natives of a chosen language with the website My Language Exchange (mylanguageexchange.com). With this website, you pay a one-time fee and then are put into contact with a native Sesotho speaker.You can conduct language exchange, teaching him English or another language he prefers to learn as he teaches you Sesotho. Because Sesotho is not currently featured on this website, you may need to find someone from South Africa who is listed as a native speaker of another language (Afrikaans, for example.) Once you get into contact, find out if she speaks Sesotho, or can introduce you to someone who does. If you can't meet in person you can chat over Skype or webchat. Getting accustomed to a native speaker's voice, intonation and accent are important for developing an advanced level of fluency in any language.

Tips & Warnings

• Research cultural etiquette. In every instance it will be important to know how to politely address those you interact with, so take note of the differences between the formal and informal greetings and when it is appropriate to use each. Sesotho Online offers cultural coaching and information in addition to language learning materials.

• Though there are many opportunities to learn Sesotho for free, as you advance you may want to purchase more challenging learning materials. Such materials can be found on the website Sotho Online as well.

References

• Sesotho Online
• Ethnologue, Languages of the World, Information on Southern Sotho
• Omniglot, Writing Systems and Languages of the World: Southern Sotho Language
• CIA World Factbook: Lesotho

Resources

• Learning Basic Sesotho
• Online Sesotho Dictionary
• South African Languages: Southern Sesotho
• Peace Corps: Lesotho