mariacallas

I remember someone here posted that that would be useful. Does everyone else here think so too?

mariacallas

Make that bought, duh? Too early for spelling

Kavey

I don't know about useful - how many countries is it spoken in - I'm woefully ignorant.
But it does sound like fun!

LizFrazier

Yes, after my first trip I too bought such a book. I studied it relentlessy for months to become familiar with it. Without using it or having anyone to talk to, it gets forgotten soon. The few Americans I talked to in Nairobi picked it up easily after moving there. Its not difficult, just harder to pick up foreign languages after you're adult, without anyone to practice with that is proficient in using it. I had a tape to play in the car too. Same thing. No one else uses the language here. Liz

SusanLynne

I bought Swahili audiocassette tapes before our trip and listened to them once a day for a few minutes each time. I am a firm believer that if you are visiting someone else's country, you should at least try to speak the language or at least some phrases or words like "Thank you," "please," "how are you?" I tried my Swahili in Kenya and Tanzania and while I mispronounced some words on occasion, I think the gesture was greatly appreciated - and afforded us all a couple of laughs. Go ahead and give it a try. Besides, now sometimes when my husband and I are talking and we don't want people to know what we are saying, we revert to some Swahili!!!