Lesson 18 VALIDATION COPY 1.

0 JUNE 2007

Siyaasada iyo Dhacdooyinka Caalamigaa

Political and International Events

This lesson will introduce you to:

- The vocabulary associated with politics and international issues
- How they are reported in Somalian news
- How to read and understand political events written in Somali newspapers.

There is not a government in Somalia now. The last government, led by dictator Mohamed
Diyad Barre, collapsed in 1991. He came to power in a coup in 1969. Since that time there has
been a civil war. The population of Somali is about 10 million. There are about 1.5 million
Somali refugees living outside of Somalia. Since the ousting of Mr. Barre, there have been
several reconciliation attempts between the different Somali warlords, who control different
areas of the country, but to no avail. In the capital, Mogadishu, about six different warlords
have been in control of different parts of the city for about 16 years. Recently, in June 2006, a
union of Islamic Courts took control of the capital, after the union had forced out the warlords.
Now the Islamic Courts are having talks with an interim government that was established in
Kenya in 1994. The interim government has not been able to run the country because of its
internal conflicts.

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 1. Familiarize yourself with the political terms.

Government Dowlad
Prime minister Ra’iisul wasaare
President Madaxweyne
Leader (ruler) Hogamiye
Dictator Keligii taliye
Parliament Baarlamaan
Ministry Wasaarad
Election Doorasho
Official/Officials Sarkaal/Saraakiil
Political Party Xisbiga Siyaasada
Vote Doorasasho
Republic Jamhuuriyad
State Gobol
Democracy/democratic Demoqoraadiyad/Dimiqoraadi
Term of office Mudada Xafiiska
Policy Siyaasad
Human Rights Xaquuqda bini’aadanka
Religious Diimaha
Racial Jinsiyada
Radical Xag jira
World Aduun
Conflict Iska horimaad
War Dagaal
Invade/invasion Qabsasho
Nuclear bombs/weapons Hubka nuklerka/Hub

2. Listen to and read the following statements. While reading, note the use of new
vocabulary.

The Iraqi leader Hogaamiyaha Ciraaq

The Russian officials
The South African government
Religious differences
Middle East conflict
The war in Iraq
The radical political party
Islamic fundamentalism
Saraakiisha Ruuskhka
Dowlada Koonfur Afrika
Kala duwanaata diimaha
Iska horimaadka Bariga Dhexe
Dagaalka Ciraaq
Xisbiga Siyasiga ee xag jira
Islaamka asalraacaa

The President of the United States is George Bush.

Madaxweynaha mareykanku waa George Bush

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 Japan and Great Britain have prime ministers.
Jabaan iyo Great Bititain waxay leeyihiin ra’iisul wasaarayaal

This was the first political election in that country.

Midaani waa doorashooyinkii siyaasada ee ugu horeeyay ee wadankaas

Human rights are a very important issue in the world today.

Xaquuqda Bini aadanku waa arin aad muhiim u ah aduunka maanta.

Political news is usually reported by way of radio stations, like the BBC Somali service or word
of mouth, as Somalis talk about politics openly everywhere. BBC Somali service is heard
everyday about 5:00 pm. People listen to the news in large groups in cafes. Before the civil war,
the government controlled the media. There was only one newspaper and one radio station. Now
there are more than 100 newspapers and around 50 news websites, prively owned by different
groups, which write or broadcast whatever they like.

3. Listen to and read the following news report from Somalia. Then answer the
questions that follow. Check the answer key.

Wasiirka Gudaha ee Somaliya wuxuu soo booqday gobolada dhexe si uu usoo qeymeyo
kaalmada dadku u baahan yihiin sida waxyeeladu u gaardey. Wasiirku wuxuu balan qaaday in si
deg-deg ah kaalmo loo siindoono. Wuxuu la kulmay hogaamiyayaashi halkaas joogey waxeyna u
sheegeen in biya la’aan iyo baad la’aanuba jiraan.

Questions:
1. Who visited the Central Regions?
2. What was the reason of the visit?
3. What did the minister promise?
4. Who did he meet with?
5.What did the people need the most?

4. Work in small groups. Pretend that you are a crew working for a news program.
Come up with a short description of a political event. Use the questions from Exercise 3 as
an outline for your report.

5. Work in a small group or with a partner. Go over the information on the political
system in Somalia one more time. Recall the information in Somali. Report to your
teacher and to the class.

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 International Geography
Joqoraafiga Caalamigaa

Somaliya waxey ku taal xeebta bare ee Africa ahna woqooyiga dhul-baraha una dhexeysa
Gacanka Cadan xagga waqooyi, dhanka barina Badda Hindiya. Somaliya waxey leedahay labo
webi, Jubba iyo Shabeelle. Somalia waxey leedahay xeexta badeed ee ugu dheer qaaradda
Africa. Mogadishu waa casimadda Somaliya.

6. Read the information about Somalia. Answer the questions.

1. Where is Somalia located?

2. How many rivers does Somalia have?
3. What is the capital city of Somalia?
4. Which country has the longest coast line in Africa?

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 7. Listen to the speaker and follow along in your book.

Afghanistan/Afghani Afganistaan/Afganistaani
Canada/Canadian Kanada/Kanadiyaan
China/Chinese Shiine/Shiinees
Denmark/Danes Danmaak/Danmaarkees
Egypt/Egyptian Masar/Masaari
England/English Ingriis/Ingiriis
Finland/Finns Finland/Finlandees
France/French Faransa/Faransiis
Germany/German Jarmal/Jarmal
Great Britain/British Britinka Weyn/British
India/Indian Hindiya/Hindi
Indonesia/Indonesian Endonesiya/Endonesiyaan
Iran/Iranian Iiraan/Iraaniyaan
Iraq/Iraqi Ciraaq/Ciraaqiyaan
Ireland/Irish Ayrlaan/Ayrlaandees
Israel/Israeli Israa'iil/Israa'iliyaan
Italy/Italian Itaaliya/Italyaani
Japan/Japanese Jabaan/Jabaanees
Jordan/Jordanian Jordan/Jordaanees
Korea/Korean Kuuriya/Kuuriyaan
Kuwait/Kuwaiti Kuwayt/Kuwaydiyaan
Mexico/Mexican Meksiko/Meksikaan
Netherlands/Dutch Holland/Holandees
Norway/Norwegian Norway/Norwiijiyaan
Pakistan/Pakistani Bakistaan/Bakistaaniyaan
Philippines/Filipino Filibiin/Filibiinis
Russia/Russian Raashka/Raashiyaan
Saudi Arabia/Saudi Sacudi carabiya/Sucudiyaan
Scotland/Scot Skotland/Skootish
South Africa/South African Koonfur Afrika/Koonfur Afrikaan
Spain/Spanish Sbayn/Sbaanish
Sweden/Swede Swidhan/Swidhish
Syria/Syrian Siiriya/Siiriyaan
Thailand/Thai Tayland/Taylandees
Vietnam/Vietnamese Fiyatnam/Fiyatnamees
Wales/Welsh Wales/Walisiyaan
North America Waqoyiga Amerika
Central America Bartamaha Amerika
South America Koonfurta America
Western Europe Yurubta Galbeed
Central Europe Bartamaha Yurubta
Eastern Europe Yurubta Bari
Middle East Bariga Dhexe

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 Southwest Asia Konfur Galbeed Asiya
Southeast Asia Konfur Bari Asiya
Africa Afrika
Australia Awstraliya
Eastern Asia Bariga Asia
Arctic Artikada
Antarctic Antaartic
Pacific Rim Basifik rim

8. Translate the following dialosuges. Check your work with the answer key.

1. - Adigu ma waxaad tahay fiyatnaamiis?

- Haa, Anigu waxaan ahay Fiyatnaamees.
2. - Adigu ma waxaad tahay Ameericaan?
- Maya, Anigu ma ihi Amerikaan. Anigu waxaan ahay Kanadiyaan.
3. - Ma Bakistaani baad tahay ama Afgaanistaan.?
- Anigu waxaan ku noolahay Bakistaan, laakiin waxaan ahay Afgaistaani.
4. - Ma Ciraaqiyiin baad tihiin?
- Haa, Waxaanu nahay Ciraaqiyaan.

9. Listen to the dialogues about nationality. Translate them into English. Check
your work with the answer key.

Adigu ma waxaad ka timid Siriya? Maya, anigu waxaan ka imid Masar, waxaan ahay masri

Adigu ma waxaad tahay Amerikaan? Maya, Anigu waxaan ahay Kanadiyaan

Adigu maxaad tahay? Anigu waxaan ahay Fiyatnaamees.

Adigu xagee baad ka timid? Anigu waxaan ka imid Hindiya, Anigu waxaan ahay
Hindi

Adigu ma waxaad tahay Indoneesiyaan? Haa, Anigu waxaan ahay Indonesiyaan, Anigu waxaan
deganahay Jakarta.

Adigu ma waxaad ka timid Afganistaan? Anigu waxaan ku noolahay Afganistaan, laakiin waxaan
ahay Bakistaani.

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 10. What do you hear? The speaker will read one word from each line of text. Mark
the word that you hear. Check your answers with the answer key.

1. Afghanistan Pakistan Iran India

2. Ireland Thailand Netherlands England
3. Vietnam Indonesia Japan China
4. Saudi Arabia Syria Israel Jordan
5. Kuwait Iraq Egypt Russia

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 End-of-Lesson Tasks

1. Translate the following headlines into English. Check the answer key.

1. Madaxweynaha ku-meelgaarka ee Somalia wuxuu aadey Gobolada Dhexe.

2. Laanqeyrta Cas waxey siisay dadka Mogadishu deggan waxbarasho ku saabsan cudurka
AIDS.
3. Safaaraddii Mareykanka ayaa laga furay Mogadishu17 sano kadib.
4. Cayaarihii kubadda cagta ayaa ka bilawday dadka Germany.
5. Madaxewyniha Somalia ayaa ka qeybgelaya shirka Jimciyadda Qaruumaha Ka
Dhexeysa.

2. Work with a partner or in a small group. From the list of the countries above, choose
one and give a briefing on its location and political system. Pretend that you are giving a
press-conference. Your classmates will role-play the news reporters by asking you
questions.

The following questions may help you in your work:

1. Does this country have a President? Who is the current President?

2. How many political parties are there in this country?
3. Is there a war in this country now?
4. Does this country have a parliament?
5. Is there a democracy in this country?
6. Does this country have a Prime Minister?
7. Is the leader of this country a dictator?
8. Is this country a republic?
9. What is a specific geographical feature of this country?

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Vocabulary List

Conflict Dagaal
Democracy/democratic Demoqoraadi/Dimoqoraadiyad
Dictator Kaligii taliye
Dispute Dood
Election Doorasho
Government Dowlad
Human Rights Xuquuqda Bini'aadanka
Invade/invasion Qabasho/Qabsasho
Leader/ruler Hogaamiye/Xukume
Ministry Wasaarad
Nuclear bombs/weapons Bambada Nukleerka/Hubka
Official Sarkaal
Parliament Baarlaman
Policy Siyaasad
Political Party Xisbi Siyaasadeed
President Madaxwayne
Prime minister Ra’iisul wasaare
Racial Jinsi
Radical Xagjiray
Religious Diin
Republic Jamhuuriyad
State Gobol
Term of office Mudada xafiiska
To kill La dilo
To vote La doorto
To invade La qabsado
War Dagaal
World Aduunka

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Answer Key
3. Compare your answers to the translation.
Somali Interior Minister has visited the Central Regions, where there is very bad drought, to
assess the magnititude of relief needed and its effect on the the people who live there. The
Minister promised that his government will help them as soon as possible. He also met with the
local leaders who told him about the lack of water and grazing land.

6.
1. Somalia is located on the east coast of Africa on and north of the Equator between the
Gulf of Aden on the north and Indian Ocean on the east.
2. Somalia has two rivers.
3. The capital city of Somalia is Mogadishu
4. Somalia has the longest coast line in Africa.

8.
1. - Adigu ma waxaad tahay fiyatnaamiis? Are you Vietnamese?
- Haa, Anigu waxaan ahay Fiyatnaamees. Yes, I’m Vietnamese.
2. - Adigu ma waxaad tahay Ameericaan? Are you American?
- Maya, Anigu ma ihi Amerikaan. Anigu waxaan ahay Kanadiyaan. No, I’m not American. I’m
Canadian.
3. - Ma Bakistaani baad tahay ama Afgaanistaan.? Are you Pakistani or Afghani?
- Anigu waxaan ku noolahay Bakistaan, laakiin waxaan ahay Afgaistaani. I live in Pakistan, but I’m
Afghani.
4. - Ma Ciraaqiyiin baad tihiin? Are you Iraqis?
- Haa, Waxaanu nahay Ciraaqiyaan. Yes, we are Iraqis.

9.

Are you from Syria? No, I’m from Egypt. I’m an Egyptian.
Adigu ma waxaad ka timid Siriya? Maya, anigu waxaan ka imid Masar, waxaan ahay
masri
Are you American? No, I’m Canadian.
Adigu ma waxaad tahay Amerikaan? Maya, Anigu waxaan ahay Kanadiyaan
What are you? I’m Vietnamese.
Adigu maxaad tahay? Anigu waxaan ahay Fiyatnaamees.
Where are you from? I’m from India. I’m Indian.
Adigu xagee baad ka timid? Anigu waxaan ka imid Hindiya, Anigu waxaan ahay
Hindi
Are you Indonesian? Yes, I’m Indonesian. I live in Jakarta.
Adigu ma waxaad tahay Indoneesiyaan? Haa, Anigu waxaan ahay Indonesiyaan, Anigu
waxaan deganahay Jakarta.
Are you from Afghanistan? I live in Afghanistan, but I am Pakistani.
Adigu ma waxaad ka timid Anigu waxaan ku noolahay Afganistaan, laakiin
Afganistaan? waxaan ahay Bakistaani.

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10.

1. Hindiya – India
2. Ayrlaan – Irerland
3. Fiyatnaam – Vietnam
4. Israa'iil - Israel
5. Ciraaq - Iraq

End-of-Lesson Tasks
1.
1. Madaxweynaha ku-meelgaarka ee Somalia wuxuu aadey Gobolada Dhexe.
1. The interm president of Somalia has left for the Central Regions.
2. Laanqeyrta Cas waxey siisay dadka Mogadishu deggan waxbarasho ku saabsan
cudurka AIDS.
2. Red Cross has given Mogadishu residents training about AIDS.
3. Safaaraddii Mareykanka ayaa laga furay Mogadishu17 sano kadib.
3. American Embassy has been reopened in Mogadishu after 17 years.
4. Cayaarihii kubadda cagta ayaa ka bilawday dadka Germany.
4. Soccer games have begun in Germany.
5. Madaxewyniha Somalia ayaa ka qeybgelaya shirka Jimciyadda Qaruumaha Ka
Dhexeysa.
5. The president of Somalia has attended Arab League conference.

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