Learn Swahili with a Native Speaker & Anthropologist - Culture Meets Language!" learn everything about the Swahili language and the East African culture.

Find out more about Robin

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  First yes , I speak Swahili fluently since it is my first language but there is more to Swahili more than just speaking of which I was inspired by my school teachers to learn. My passion for swahili was inspired by my teachers specifically through the writing of Swahili essays and the whole literature part of it which is broad and fun.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Yes , Mekatilili wa Menza she was a woman leader for one of the Swahili communities. Swahili language is filled with wisdom which I believe enabled her to be a female leader especially of the olden times.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  Taarab, which is a Swahili traditional form of music rooted with deep words . It can be educative or even romance. They are mostly accompanied with a slow dance moving side to side. I love the taarab Swahili songs.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Swahili gives me a sense of identity. When I speak Swahili I can identify myself with my roots and my culture. Teaching other people Swahili gives me the pleasure of sharing the Joy that speaking Swahili gives me.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Practice. It can be sometimes hard to only be able to practice Swahili with your tutor for only one hour and then lack the space to practice it with the community around you. When learning Swahili I always encourage my students to look for a community of people who speak Swahili so that they can communicate and practice with them. Learning and practicing on your own can sometimes not be as effective.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Swahili made my days at school really fun and enjoyable. I remember having this one teacher who made Swahili thrilling and fun to almost all the students. It was very intense and exciting that we found ourselves competing to finish the exam fast and get the results really fast and see who had the highest mark of which I always did. The fun part is that we were so competitive that at times we did the exams standing in haste because sitting down just seemed to take much of our time . I was always the leading student. That's how passionate I've always been about Swahili even academically.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Visiting the coast of Kenya ( Mombasa, Kilifi Malindi and Lamu ) defined increased my skill and language about Swahili. These are the areas where Swahili basically originated and the people there speak really sharpened Swahili. Being able to spend time with them helped me to improve my Swahili even better and also increased my passion.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  Honestly I'd say my passion for swahili, expertise and the zeal to want to teach people my language. Being so good in Swahili I always found myself tutoring people which is an inborn thing. My character being bubbly and extroverted I believe also makes me a Superprof in Swahili Language.