4 Somali Survival Tools for buffoons
Here’s some really, really good news if you’re learning Somali (or any language for that matter): It’s not just you who miss hears things or doesn’t understand things sometimes - Native speakers have this problem too.
Unfortunately, language students often solve this in awful, “I’m a foreign buffoon” ways. Such as by frantically asking a family member to save the day or by saying the equivalent of “me no speakey Inglish” or “Qué?” (if you remember Manuel from Faulty Towers). “Hooyo ma taalo” might be a Somali equivalent… Do not use this phrase under any circumstances. I'll explain why later.
Wouldn’t it be better if we could afford ourselves the dignity that native speakers do, when they misunderstand or miss hear something? Or at least as close to that as possible.
Somali, like all languages has it’s own words, phrases or sounds used to slow a conversation, get more information or just to look natural while a conversation passes. Think about the ‘uhumm’s of our language. We’ve all said: “I know what you mean!” to an uncle at a wedding whom you absolutely did not know what he meant or perhaps couldn’t even hear properly.
Since arriving here in Mogadishu, I have picked up a few of these myself and they really help others to go along with the idea that I know what I’m doing when I’m speaking Somali and am in fact not a buffoon.
1) Side of the mouth click.
Use when you know you’ve been asked a ‘yes or no’ question and you want to say ‘yes’.
While Somali has a perfectly good word for ‘Yes’, (haa), Somalis like to click in the side of the mouth, sometimes with a slight raise of the eyebrows too. This means ‘Yes’ and carries a “Imma' just click ‘cos I’m so chill with my Somali” vibe. Here’s an example:
Explaining to her mum that I’m not being locked inside all day:
My wife: ”Maalin kasta Sam badda wuu aadaa!"
(Sam goes to the sea/ beach every day!)
looks at me Sax miyaa?
(Is that right?)
Me: Mouth click
(Yes)
2) Hayye - ‘Yeh/ Go on/ Alright/ that’s enough talking for now”
I suppose we translate ‘hayye’ as ‘okay’ or something... But there's more to it.
In my daily application, it carries different meanings depending on whether I say it on the phone or in person.
On the phone it usually means: “I do understand. But I think this conversation has run it's course”. Feel free to double up on it to end the conversation in this sort of tone: “háye-hàye”.
On the other hand, in person you can use this when you have understood, but don’t have a good response prepared. Don’t worry, it is typical in Somali to say something short if that does the job. Suitable situations include: Shaahi ma sameeyn kartaa? (Can you make the tea?). - “Haye”.
Or: Lacagta i soo dir (Send me the money) - “Haye”.
3) “Yahh?”…
Use when you don’t understand but want to pretend you just didn’t hear. It will give you a second chance and people will usually use different words the second time.
You can also use “Maxaa dhahdey?”, (literally: What did you say?), but I’ve found people just repeat the same words if you ask that… It does give you another chance, but if you didn’t understand the first time around, you might still find yourself in a “Ma fahmin” (I don’t understand) situation.
Remember that ”Yahh” usually accompanies a confused facial expression. But you have to show that it’s THEM who hasn’t been clear enough so bring some attitude to this “Yahh!”. Remember: ‘You are not a foreign buffoon’. ‘You are not a foreign buffoon’.
4) Maxaa waaye? - What is it?
Use when you don’t understand, but there is a particular thing involved you might need more information about. It usually deflects the conversation and gives you relevant vocab for when you come back to the main point. Let me set the scene for a Somali dialogue:
Lady who lives near by knocks at the door
Me: Yaa waaye? (Who is it?)
Lady: “Ani waaye” (”It’s me”… There are currently about 18 locals who all say this, none of whom I can recognize from their voice with much certainty, to be honest)
Me: “Haye” (see above) Opens the door anyway
Now compare these two scenarios:
“Maxaa Waaye” doesn’t really fit.
Lady: “Canab ma jootgaa?” (Is Canab there?)
Me: “Maxaa waaye?” (What is it?)
Qalad waaye (It’s a mistake) - Canab is a name. One I should probably know given the situation. If you don’t know the verb “Joog”, then it’s a really useful one! It means ‘to be in a place’ but only for people. It’s the one you should use instead of “Taalo” in “Hooyo ma Taalo”. It should be “Hooyo ma Joogto” - Mum’s not (t)here. “Taalo” isn’t used for humans.
2. “Maxaa Waaye” works pretty well.
Lady: “Canab ma isticmaalaysaa alaabteyda?” (Is Canab using my stuff?)
Me: “Maxaa waaye?”
Lady: “Saxanka iyo baaquule waa weyn”. (The dish and the big bowl)
Bingo! I know what those things are!* Haa way isticmaalaysaa laakin farxiyyo way ku keenaa habeenki inshaa’allah. (Yes, she’s using but Farxiyo will bring to you to tonight Inshaa’Allah) Lady: - Now it’s her turn - “Haye” She returns to her home satisfied that she isn’t living next to a complete buffoon.
Sax waaye (It’s correct) - “alaab” is an already vague word. From what I can gather, it basically means ‘stuff’. It can mean tools, cutlery, pots and pans, equipment, furniture, etc. I am a recovering buffoon so the first time I heard it, I thought that a man at the door was asking for my Laptop. Alaab… Laap…. Alaabta…. A Laaptop… I dunno… But in any case, asking for specifics in the face of ‘alaab’ is quite reasonable - Believe me - I almost lost my laptop.
5) (This is a Bonus one!) - Using the suffix 'kee' or 'tee'? meaning 'which?'.
This requires a little more familiarity with Somali. '-kee?' or '-tee?' are suffixes meaning 'which?' for masculine and feminine nouns respectively.
It's very common for Somalis to shoot these back at a questioner. They require a little bit of knowledge of gender of nouns in Somali but it doesn't take too long to get the hang of. I'll give some examples...
Zeynab: "teleefka ma aragtey? (Have you seen the phone?)
Me (not a buffoon): "Teleefkee?" (Which phone?)
Cabdullahi: "Alaabta ma taalaa?"
Me (again, not a buffoon): "Alaabtee?"
Usually the answer will give more specifics and present more opportunities to spot vocabulary you do know.
