This manual is a brief presentation of the spoken siSwati language and some cultural behaviors in Swaziland. With the help of the enclosed interactive language digital audio files, you will be able to hear and pronounce the sounds of siSwati and become familiar with them.

In this manual, several topics are introduced where you will find some siSwati words and expressions along with their transliteration and English meaning. Some cultural notes are also included in order to help you familiarize yourself with the language as well as the culture.

Please note that siSwati is a tonal language. Word meaning can be influenced or even change through the utterance of wrong intonation. The same word can convey different meaning depending on the tone with which it is pronounced. We admonish you to pay particular attention to this regard and practice as often as you can.

History of the siSwati Language

SiSwati belongs to the Bantu Language Family of Africa which includes the four major language groups found in South Africa, viz Nguni, Sotho, Tsonga and Venda. Languages in this family are spoken in an area, which extends from the Cape in the south to just north of the equator.  These languages are grouped into geographical zones, which in their turn are divided into groups, sub-groups, dialect clusters (languages) and dialects. These four major language groups are divided into nine written languages: Swati, Zulu, Xhosa, South- Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern-Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga and Venda.

The Nguni group is divided into two sub-groups, viz being the Zunda and Tekela. Zunda languages comprise Zulu, Xhosa, South Ndebele, and Zimbabwean Ndebele.

Tekela languages comprise siSwati of Swaziland and siSwati of kaNgwane stretching from the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa to the South Eastern Transvaal.

Of note here is that out of these dialects, siSwati is the only one that has attained recognition as a language in its own right. It has acquired written status and is used as the medium of instruction in schools in Swaziland and kaNgwane.  Which is one of the reasons we expect you to learn the spoken siSwati Language.  To be able to TALK with the people of the host country, more especially those you will be directly working with

These lessons will help you learn normal conversation in siSwati, rather than focusing on formalities.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland, you will have to adjust to some pronunciation difficulties and deal with some social attitudes and cultural norms. So, get ready for a new experience and challenge and welcome to Swaziland…

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