A reading-order guide through Asha’s bilingual books, from alphabet basics to first chapter stories, with tips on pairing books with everyday Somali practice. Raising a child who speaks Somali outside of Somalia or Somaliland is a quiet, daily effort. English is everywhere — at school, on the television, in the games your children play with […]
The Best Somali Children’s Books for Diaspora Families Read More »
Somali is a Cushitic language spoken by over 24 million people across the Horn of Africa and the Somali diaspora. With roots likely dating back to the first millennium BCE, Somali boasts a rich oral tradition of poetry, storytelling, and proverbs. For centuries, Somali was almost exclusively spoken. Oral literature served as the primary medium
The History of the Written Somali Language | From Oral to Latin Script Read More »
Somali has different words for aunts, uncles and cousins depending on whether they’re on your mother’s or father’s side — a distinction English doesn’t make at all. Here’s the full guide. If you’ve ever tried to explain to a Somali relative which “Aunt Faduma” you mean in English, you’ve probably run into the limits of
What Do You Call Your Relations in Somali? – A Family Words Guide Read More »
Brush up on the names of shapes in Somali. How many do you know?
Latest video – Shapes in Somali Read More »
If you ask Somali speakers this question you will get a variety of answers. Some will give a name adopted from another language e.g. ‘barbal’ from English. Others will give names associated with other colours e.g, guduud (red) or buluug (blue). Some might give one of two words used for purple I recently came across,
How do you say purple in Somali? Read More »
Xijaab-Cas iyo Waraabahii Xijaab Cas iyo Waraabahii (Red-Hijab and the Hyena) is a bilingual Somali-English retelling of a traditional tale, following a young girl’s journey to visit her unwell grandmother — and the hungry hyena she meets along the way. The newest title in the AAN Bilingual Books collection is Xijaab Cas iyo Waraabahii (Red-Hijab
The latest addition to AAN Books Read More »
The latest Somali language video is out on YouTube. Learn how to greet people in Somali!
Say hello in Somali and more…. Read More »
Why are borrowed words used for the months of the year and days of the week when Somalis have their own calendar which is thousands of years old? Neighbouring Ethiopia has always used its own 13 month calendar. These days Somalis either use the Gregorian calendar (based on modified English, French or Italian names), the
The ‘Real’ Somali Calendar – Kaltirsi Read More »
I think the answer to this question is no. While researching the Internet for my books the range of spellings I’ve come across of different words is incredible. Even the language on the BBC Somali news website is not consistent but depends on who is writing the article. The Somali language varies in vocabulary and
Is there a standard Somali language? Read More »
‘Colours and Shapes in Somali’ is a colourful and simple introduction to shapes and colours in the Somali language for young learners growing up outside of Somalia/Somaliland or Somali speakers who wish to learn English. Bilingual in both Somali and English it sets out the names of colours and shapes. The book contains fun activities
Naming Colours and Shapes in Somali Read More »
Dr Georgi Kapchits’ advice to young Somalis is to learn as much as they can about the rich language that is their mother tongue.
The value of the Somali language endorsed by a scholar! Read More »
Should mother tongue be the first language spoken by a child? Yes, of course I hear you say. It’s not as easy to achieve for some. Homes vary as do people within those homes. Linguistic ability and home situations differ but as afar as possible I believe this should be the case. To be bilingual
First language – mother tongue? Read More »
Dual language books and Somali language learning for children are my passion. Please check-in to find out what new titles have been added. Contact me if you have particular query or a request for a type of book you might have in mind or just to say hello.
Discussions on all things bilingual and the education of future generations coming up!
Welcome to Asha’s blog! Read More »
Somali language is important not just for communication but to pass on culture and traditions to our children.
Culture and tradition Read More »
