Author: Earl W. Stevick
Publisher: Foreign Service Institute
Year: 1965
Audio format: MP3/ 32 KB/sec.
Shona is one of the two principal languages of Rhodesia, and extends also into adjacent areas of Mozambique. It consists of a number of dialects, but a standardized form of the language, based on the Zezuru, Manyika, and Korekore dialects, is generally used in printed materials. These dialects differ from one another in pronunciation (including tones) and in vocabulary, but they are in general agreement with respect to the underlying grammatical system. One feature of this book is the attempt to represent simultaneously in the transcription several different pronunciations, in tone as well as in vowels and consonants.
The present volume is one of a series of short Basic Courses in selected African languages, prepared by the Foreign Service Institute, under an agreement with the Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, under provisions of the National Defense Education Act. It is intended to give the student a start in Shona, providing him with dialogues that relate to some of the situations in which he is likely to use the language, as well as with systematic practice on all major points of grammar. Emphasis is placed on leading the student to assume increasing amounts of responsibility and initiative as he progresses through the book.
The linguist in charge of this project has been Earl W. Stevick. Shona texts, exercises, and tape voicings were furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Mataranyika. The tape recordings which accompany this course were prepared in the language laboratory of the Foreign Service Institute under the direction of Gabriel Cordova.