African Language and Culture 3600-7-AF1-JiKA(Z)

Beginner-level instruction in an African language (Swahili/Hausa/Amharic) offered within a broader cultural context. The course introduces students to the fundamental structures of the selected language, including pronunciation, basic grammar, vocabulary, and everyday communication skills. The classes are based primarily on carefully selected texts, dialogues, and authentic cultural materials, which enable students not only to acquire the language, but also to become familiar with the culture, everyday life, social practices, and customs of the chosen region of Africa.
Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between language and culture, as well as on developing intercultural awareness and communication skills. Students are introduced to selected aspects of African history, literature, music, oral traditions, and contemporary cultural life connected with the language studied. The course combines practical language learning with an interdisciplinary approach to African cultures and societies.

Term 2026Z:

The course provides an introduction to the Amharic language and selected aspects of Ethiopian culture. The classes combine the study of basic communication skills in Amharic with elements of knowledge concerning the history, oral traditions, music, literature, and everyday life of Ethiopia. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between language and culture, as well as on the role of oral texts in Ethiopian society.
Students will learn the basics of the Ethiopian script (fidel), pronunciation, and simple grammatical structures, as well as essential vocabulary related to everyday communication. At the same time, the course introduces issues connected with Ethiopian multilingualism, musical traditions, oral poetry, social practices, and cultural symbolism.
The course is interdisciplinary in character and makes use of authentic linguistic and cultural materials, such as musical recordings, azmari songs, short literary texts, photographs, and audiovisual materials. The course develops basic language competences while also enabling students to gain knowledge of both contemporary and traditional Ethiopian culture.

Course coordinators

Marcin Krawczuk
Ewa Wołk-Sore

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

The student has basic knowledge of:
the structure of the selected African language, its history, and its significance in the context of African culture and history
the basic principles of translation from the selected African language into Polish
The student has basic knowledge of:
the structure of the selected African language, its history, and its significance in the context of African culture and history
the basic principles of translation from the selected African language into Polish
The student is able to:
apply knowledge of the socio-cultural issues of Africa in typical professional situations, taking into account cultural specificities and the application of intercultural communication strategies
analyze and interpret source texts in the selected African language (Swahili/Hausa/Amharic)
translate literary and other written texts from the selected African language (Swahili/Hausa/Amharic) into Polish
use, at an advanced level, the writing system (including the rules of standard orthography) of the selected African language (Swahili/Hausa/Amharic), as well as the tools used for its study and analysis (traditional and electronic dictionaries, lexicons, language corpora, databases, etc.)
present issues related to African culture in both Polish and the selected African language (Swahili/Hausa/Amharic), with reference to Africa’s intellectual traditions
use electronic and online tools
cooperate and work in a group, establish contacts with representatives of different cultures, and engage in intercultural dialogue
The student is prepared to:
contribute to the dissemination and promotion of Africa’s linguistic and cultural heritage

Bibliography

Appleyard D. (2025) Colloquial Amharic. A Complete Language Course London
and New York: Routledge.
Leslau W. (1976) Concise Amharic dictionary. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.
Leslau W. (1995) Reference grammar of Amharic. Wiesbaden: Otto
Harrassowitz.
Mantel-Niećko J., Getachew Paulos Berhane (1978) Iletawi amarinynya. Praktyczna nauka języka amharskiego Warszawa: WUW.
Prischnegg T. , Sälam! ሰላም! 1. Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch Amharishch, Hamburg 2024.

Term 2026Z:

T. Prischnegg, Sälam! ሰላም! 1. Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch Amharishch, Hamburg 2024.