Finding My Voice in Swahili

To speak a language, you need motivation and sustained effort. But you also need something deeper—a reason.

For me, that reason is Kwanzaa.

Swahili, or Kiswahili, is the language of Kwanzaa. The names of the Nguzo Saba—the seven principles—are in Swahili. The symbols, the greetings, the call to unity: all spoken in a language tied to the East African coast, to trade routes, shared cultures, and generations of history. From the very beginning, Kwanzaa gave me my first introduction to Swahili words—and in many ways, my first step toward finding my voice in the language.

The Challenge of Learning Without Community

One of my biggest challenges learning Swahili has been not having people around me who speak it. I’ve studied Spanish, Korean, German—but no matter how much I learned, the hardest part was always the same: finding someone to talk to. Most places I’ve lived, even those who spoke these languages, preferred to use English unless they absolutely had to.

And without conversation, the words slip away.

That’s why I no longer speak the other languages I’ve learned in the past—I had no one to speak with, no one to help keep them alive. But Swahili is different. I consider it my second language, even though my ability is still growing. I say that with confidence because Kwanzaa keeps the language present in my life. Whether I’m fluent or not, the words return to me every year—and now, more and more, every day.

How I Approach Language Learning

When I learn a language, I always start with the everyday words—the ones that help you show up in the world. You need to know how to introduce yourself, how to name the things around you, how to say where you’re going, and where you’re from. That’s my foundation.

My Swahili journey began by listening—picking up the phrases and words spoken during Kwanzaa. And let’s be honest, some of you may have learned your first Swahili words from The Lion King. However you arrive at the language, the key is simply beginning.

One of the first things I discovered about Swahili—and one of the things I appreciate most—is that it’s not a gendered language. There’s no masculine or feminine form of words. That alone removes a whole layer of memorization and confusion that comes with some other languages.

From there, I learned the vowel system and the alphabet. Swahili vowels don’t shift like English vowels—there’s no “long A” or “short A.” Each letter holds its sound, every time. Once I understood that, I could begin building my vocabulary, one word at a time. Courtesy words came early too: thank you (asante), please (tafadhali), excuse me (samahani). Because respect travels with you, no matter what language you’re speaking.

I always hunt for English “loan words” early on—they give me a quick boost. Swahili has many loan words from Arabic, English, Portuguese (more so than Spanish), and I searched for those right away. I also pick out the words that sound like English and mean the same thing.

Then I focus on I am and you are, because most conversations start there—with yourself and the person right in front of you.

Next, I learn how to count—objects, money, by fives and tens. I learned how to tell time, along with the days of the week. Directions come after—left, right, north, south—because no matter the language, those words are always useful.

I also look for cultural awareness words, like Mswahili, meaning "a Swahili person," or Waswahili, meaning "Swahili people." These words connect you not just to the language, but to the people and the culture that carry it.

I make space for the words that feel personal to me: artist, drum, apple, chair. Because learning a language isn’t just about survival—it’s about speaking your life.

Colors are part of that too. In Korea, red and white were everywhere, so I learned those words early. For Kwanzaa, it’s red, black, and green—colors that hold weight, memory, and meaning.

Phrases That Build Conversations

I memorize a few key phrases, not just to repeat them, but to take them apart and rebuild them. If I know how to say I would like to go to the store, I can swap out store for market, park, or mall. These simple sentence patterns become my building blocks for saying so much more.

This is the process that works for me—piece by piece, word by word.

Swahili Is My Second Language (No Matter How Fluent I Become)

Fluent or not, Swahili is my second language. I may not speak it perfectly, but the journey is mine. My vocabulary grows daily, and my commitment remains. Because I will always celebrate Kwanzaa—and through Kwanzaa, I will always keep Swahili close.

Language learning takes time. But time is on my side. And every word brings me closer to finding my voice.

What language helps you find your voice—or stay connected to the roots that call you?

#KwanzaaEveryday #NguzoSaba #LearningSwahili #FindingMyVoice #Kujichagulia #Imani #CulturalPride #KeepTheFlameBurning