Swahili: A Foundation for Speaking, Reading, and Writing - Second Edition [Paperback]

Thomas J. Hinnebusch (Author), Sarah M. Mirza (Author), Adelheid U. Stein (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761809724 | ISBN-13: 978-0761809722 | Publication Date: January 8, 1998 | Edition: 2nd Edition

This is a comprehensive manual intended to teach students the basics of communicating in Swahili at an elementary level. It is designed to teach major communicative skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Moreover, the text strives to impart fundamental knowledge about East African and Swahili culture.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Swahili

About the Author

Thomas J. Hinnebusch is Professor of Linguistics and African Languages at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America; 2nd Edition edition (January 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761809724
• ISBN-13: 978-0761809722
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > African > Instruction
  • #97 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Science

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 26, 2000

By 

"alja" (Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swahili: A Foundation for Speaking, Reading, and Writing - Second Edition (Paperback)

This is a really wonderful book to start learning Kiswahili with. The explanations are clear and it is very attractively illustrated. My only (small) gripe is that there are no solutions for the exercises, which hampers independent study somewhat. However, this won't deter any serious student as the book does include a translation of all the dialogues,as well as all a vocabulary listing all the words used in the book. Highly recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good for beginners!, December 21, 2007

By 

R. de Pry (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swahili: A Foundation for Speaking, Reading, and Writing - Second Edition (Paperback)

I used this book in addition to my classroom text in my Swahili course and I found it incredibly helpful. The grammar notes were especially helpful and the presentation of the very difficult noun classes was awesome! I would definitely recommend this as a supplement or even for the motivated independent student!!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very clear and helpful, February 6, 2007

By 

Perf (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swahili: A Foundation for Speaking, Reading, and Writing - Second Edition (Paperback)

I found this book easy to use and very clear on matters of grammar and pronunciation. The reading exercises advance at a nice pace, so you are continually challenged without being overwhelmed. I do agree with the other reviewer that more answers to the exercises would be really helpful for self-study. The dictionary section at the back is pretty thorough, though if you keep going past about the first half of the book, you will be interested in investing in a Swahili-English dictionary (probably Awde).