Hello and welcome to Aniga Iyo Afkayga!

Growing up as a Somali-American, I never really learned Somali. And other than the occasional bits and pieces that my ear can catch, I would say that I can’t speak or understand it either. Forget fluency- basic understanding was always something that I struggled with, and I can’t say that it’s gotten better over the years. My passive attempts to learn have never quite worked.

So this upcoming year, I’m making the resolution to become fully- not partially but fully- fluent in Somali. Every day I’m going to learn and practice, and I’m going to document my journey with weekly blog posts on everything that I’ve learned and been up to.

My hope is that by sharing my own journey of teaching myself Somali (a self-imposed dhaqan celis, if you will), I can inspire others to join this journey with me. Whether you’re starting at the beginning like I am, or you’re just looking to improve and round out the rough edges, I hope that Aniga Iyo Afkayga provides a safe space for you to do just that.

Now let’s start and Bismillah!

-Ubax