African language and culture (hausa)

foreign languages
general courses
optional courses

The aim of the course is to learn Hausa from scratch with reference to the cultural context. Focus will be on mastering the spelling conventions of Hausa language in the Latin alphabet, rules of correct pronunciation, linguistic structures and vocabulary that will enable students to use Hausa in various situations. The information about the Hausa language and its place on the linguistic map of Africa will be presented in detail. The basic phrases in Hausa will be discussed on the example of selected situations from everyday life and written texts. Selected grammar issues will be presented in detail. Regular attendance, preparation for classes and timely delivery of homework are required to obtain a pass mark. At the end of the semester, students will solve a test consisting of open-ended and single-choice questions, checking the mastery of the material from the classes, covering issues in the field of vocabulary, phraseology, grammar and culture.

The form of the classes is a practical learning course. The following teaching methods will be used: elements of lecture, discussion, practical language learning, work with text. Language learning materials in the form of textbooks, dictionaries, texts as well as audio and video recordings will be used. The main aim of the course is to learn Hausa from scratch with reference to the cultural context. Focus will be on mastering the spelling conventions of Hausa language in the Latin alphabet (boko), rules of correct pronunciation, linguistic structures and vocabulary that will enable students to use Hausa in various situations. Additionally, the modified Arabic script for writing Hausa will be presented. Students will learn phrases and vocabulary applicable in various situations of everyday life (i.a. bargaining, giving advice, agreeing and refusing, greeting, apologizing) and the grammatical structures of the language (i.a. personal pronouns, time-aspect-mood system, particle genitive). In addition, the detailed information about the Hausa language (i.a. genetic classification, relations with other languages) will be presented in the form of a lecture with a presentation and discussion. The language map of Africa will be discussed, with particular focus on West Africa and Nigeria as well as the status and communication range of the Hausa language. Processes influencing the spread of Hausa as a lingua franca in this region will be discussed. Students' insights on the covered topics and methods of effective language learning will be discussed. Regular attendance, preparation for classes and timely delivery of homework are required to obtain a pass mark. At the end of the semester, students will solve a test consisting of open-ended and single-choice questions, checking the mastery of the material from the classes, covering issues in the field of vocabulary, phraseology, grammar and culture. Detailed issues will be given during the classes.

Manuals:

R. Cowan & R. Schuh Spoken Hausa, New York 1976.

R. Ma Newman & Alh. Maina Gimba, Hausa a dace: A Guide to Functional Hausa, Bloomington 1998.

Additional literature:

Abraham, R.C. Dictionary of the Hausa Language. London 1962.

Bargery, G.P. A Hausa-English Dictionary and English-Hausa Vocabulary. London 1934.

Frajzyngier, Z. Wybór tekstów do nauki języka hausa. Warszawa 1968.

Mu'azu, A., N. Pawak, H. M. Yakasai. Teksty kulturowe hausa/Labaran al'adun Hausawa. Warszawa 2018.

Newman, P. A Hausa-English Dictionary. New Heaven & London 2007.

Pawlak, N. Język hausa. Warszawa 1998.

Piłaszewicz, S. Język hausa. Warszawa 1971.

Hausa online text resources.

Other materials (texts and recordings) provided by the lecturer.

KNOWLEDGE

- alumnus has a basic knowledge of the second African language (Hausa), its structure, history, script (K_W12)

- alumnus is aware of the complex nature of the chosen African language (Hausa), its place and significance in the cultural and historical context of

West African countries (Nigeria) (K_W13)

ABILITIES

- alumnus has command of a second African language (Hausa) at the basic level (K_U12)

- alumnus fluently uses the script of the chosen African language (Hausa) and the necessary tools to learn and analyze it (traditional and electronic dictionaries, lexicons, linguistic corpora, data bases, etc.) (K_U16)

- alumnus properly function in the linguistic and cultural environment of West African countries (Nigeria) (K_U17)

COMPETENCES

- alumnus is prepared to cooperate and work in a group as well as forge relationships and build social relations (K_K02)

- alumnus is prepared to establish relations and cooperate with representatives of other cultures (K_K03)

1. Final test consisting of open-ended and single-choice questions.

2. Homework - assignments are assessed, as well as linguistic correctness and timely delivery of work. Completion of all assignments is the first condition for taking the final test.

3. Attendance control - a student can be absent max. three times during the semester; in the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate excusing this absence should be submitted within seven work days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate. Attending the classes is the second condition for taking the final test.