The “Idea” Approach to Swahili

Extract

he originating cause of this article lies in an attempt to overcome the difficulties encountered by students when learning Swahili, especially of those, who, having spent a few years in East Africa, are yet unable to attain a fair standard of proficiency.

The difficulties met with by one student, and the mistakes he falls into, appear to be common to many. ‘This suggests that all view Swahili from the same standpoint, and this in turn leads one to think that the study of Swahili needs to be represented from an entirely new angle. This article, therefore, is an attempt to present that new view-point, in subject matter representative and suggestive rather than exhaustive.