African language and culture

obligatory courses

Classroom

The aim of the course is to learn basis of the Amharic language as well as introduction to the culture of Ethiopia. We start from familiarizing students with the Ethiopian script as well as the grammatical structures of Amharic and its lexis, and at the same time improving linguistic and communicative skills (reading skills, understanding written and oral texts, constructing written as well as oral statements at a basic level) in the context of Ethiopian culture.

The aim of the course is to teach the Amharic language at a basic level, as well as to familiarize students with the most important features of Ethiopian culture. The learning includes getting to know the Ethiopian script and its role in shaping the Ethiopian culture, articulation of sounds with characteristic emphatic sounds, as well as acquiring the ability to write in accordance with the rules of spelling, listening comprehension and speaking at a basic level, as well as the acquisition of basic grammatical structures necessary to create simple statements on basic topics. Great emphasis is placed on pragmatics and communicative aspects of the language (learning phrases used in everyday communication, starting with greetings, farewells, wishes and blessings, especially important in African cultures). Students expand their vocabulary and increase their fluency by listening to and formulating short oral and written statements, reading and discussing short texts of a dialogic nature, answering questions about the given subject, creating dialogue scenes adequate to the given situation, performing grammar drills from the textbook. Students will also learn about some aspects of Ethiopian culture by watching films about everyday life of Ethiopians, as well as by participating in workshops.

Appleyard D., Colloquial Amharic Routledge, London and New York, 2013.

Amarinya agazh. 1-3 nya kifil, Addis Abeba: Blue Nile asataminna akefafay, 2006.

Amharic the Easy Way – audio CD, Shining Star Multimedia, USA, 2006.

The Amharic Language Multimedia Series, Shining Star Multimedia, USA, 2006.

Łykowska L., Gramatyka języka amharskiego - ćwiczenia Dialog, Warszawa, 1997.

After completing the course included in the program, the student:

Knowledge:

- has a basic knowledge of the rules of communication, writing and reading in Amharic

- is aware of the complex nature of the Amharic language, its place and importance in the context of Ethiopian culture and history

Skills:

- interprets the cultural content in the discussed texts in Amharic

- can function properly in the linguistic and cultural environment of Ethiopia

Social competence:

- understands the need for lifelong learning, inspiring and organizing the learning process of other people

- understands the role of the Amharic language in learning and understanding the culture of Ethiopia

- can establish contacts and interact with Ethiopians

- is ready to actively establish contacts and cooperate with representatives of different cultures

Class attendance, the assessment of homeworks, in-class written tests and oral presentations.

Attendance control - a student can be absent maximum twice during the semester. In the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate excusing this absence should be submitted within seven days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate.

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