Swahili Grammar and Workbook

Swahili Grammar and Workbook provides a practical and comprehensive companion to Swahili grammar, filling in gaps left by other textbooks. Presenting the essentials of Swahili grammar in a highly accessible fashion, it reduces complex language topics to helpful rules and mnemonic aids, enabling maximum grammar retention and accurate usage. Grammar points are followed by multiple examples and exercises, allowing students to consolidate and practice their learning. No prior knowledge of linguistic terminology is required.

Key features include:

• Twenty five language notes covering key topics such as: personal pronouns; the Swahili noun class system; special class combinations; the imperative, the subjunctive, and the conditional moods; the use of comparatives; the use of monosyllabic verbs; the passive form and various other forms of verb extensions; the relative clause
• Clear, detailed and jargon-free grammatical explanations supported by an assortment of helpful diagrams, charts and tables and many relevant and up-to-date examples
• A wide range of communication-oriented exercises to reinforce learning and develop students? ability to use Swahili actively
• Audio files to support pronunciation practice, clearly linked to relevant sections of the book and available for free download at http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781138808263/
• Four appendices, Swahili-English and English-Swahili vocabulary lists, a bibliography and an index presented at the back of the book for easy access to information.

Written by a highly experienced instructor, Swahili Grammar and Workbook will be an essential resource for all students and teachers of Swahili. It is suitable for use both as a companion reference text in language courses and as a standalone text in independent grammar classes.

Introduction 1. Swahili - Key elements 2. Using basic vocabulary and markers 3. Personal pronouns 4. Swahili noun class system 5. Noun/adjective and pronoun agreement 6. The indicative mood and main verb tenses 7. Verb "be" / "have" in the main clause 8. Special class combinations and the reflexive pronoun 9. Prefix/stem contact rules vs. invariable adjectives/pronouns 10. Relative clauses and the use of reference pronouns 11. Imperative and Subjunctive moods 12. Monosyllabic verb stems and the stem augment ku 13. Auxiliary verbs and the expression of complex tenses 14. Expressing comparison 15. The passive form of the verb 16. Locative agreement and coordinated noun agreement 17. The conditional mood 18. The causative extension of the verb 19. Reciprocal, stative, and applicative verb extensions 20. Adverbs in a broad sense 21. Adjectives in a broad sense 22. Noun formation and augmentative/diminutive processes 23. Reduced forms and special uses of various pronouns 24. Subjunctive vs. infinitive/indicative in coordinated and subordinate clauses 25. Double object constructions and the use of "object markers" Appendix A: Greetings and other polite expressions Appendix B: Class agreements with all types of adjectives and pronouns Appendix C: Clause connectors and other transition words APPENDIX D: Use of verb tenses in Swahili proverbs Vocabulary list References Index

Fidèle Mpiranya is Lecturer in Swahili and African Linguistics at the University of Chicago, USA.