Somali language resources – Language Links Database

Somali /səˈmɑːli, soʊ-/ (Af-Soomaali [æ̀f sɔ̀ːmɑ́ːlì]) is an Afroasiatic language belonging to the Cushitic branch. It is spoken as a mother tongue by Somalis in Greater Somalia and the Somali diaspora. Somali is an official language of Somalia and Somaliland, a national language in Djibouti, and a working language in the Somali Region of Ethiopia and also in North Eastern Kenya. It is used as an adoptive language by a few neighboring ethnic minority groups and individuals. The Somali language is written officially with the Latin alphabet.

More information: Wikipedia

Native speakers: 16 million (2015)

Official language in: Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti


Somali Grammar and Pronunciation



  • learn101.org - “All the lessons contain audio and are all offered for free. We will learn the alphabet together. We will also review some simple grammar rules, practice common phrases, and we will have fun memorizing many important vocabulary lists, and everything else that you see below.”
  • ilanguages.org - this site is designed to teach you and help you learn Somali  for free through vocabulary, phrases, grammar and flashcards (vocabulary trainer)
  • 101languages.net - frequency list, vocabulary, grammar and many more
  • WikiBooks - alphabet and vocabulary
  • somaliaholland.free.fr - The Sound System and Pronunciation, grammatical system, basic Somali expressions
  • omniglot.com - “A collection of useful phrases in Somali, an East Cushtic language spoken mainly in Somali, and also in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. “


Somali Reading Materials



  • u.osu.edu - This page contains some hard-to-find Somali curriculum textbooks
  • w3newspapers.com - Somali language newspapers and magazines online


Somali Dictionaries




Somali Listening and Video Resources



  • YouTube Dugsigga Aflax
  • YouTube Sam Of Somalia - “Sam is among the most watched Somali language educators in the world as well as being the creator and instructor of the Arabic in 60 Steps program. He has over 1,000 YouTube videos and has been a guest and a host on some of the largest Muslim and Somali platforms in the world including integration TV, Universal TV and Islam Channel.”


Radio


  • IFIYE RADIO - “FIYE RADIO is the first Somali internet radio to broadcast its full programs live on the internet from your mobile and computer.”


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