Speak Rwanda offers a range of products and services from travel language download lessons to translation services designed to help you learn Kinyarwanda and make your mission effective.

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Why learn Kinyarwanda?

If you plan to visit Rwanda, your experience will be much more rewarding if you can speak and understand at least some of the Kinyarwanda language. Here are just a few reasons why you should take the time to learn some key phrases of this fascinating language:

 

 

It shows respect to the culture.

Greeting is very important to the Rwandan people. They value hospitality and graciousness much more than we do in the West. By greeting people in their native language, you give respect to their heritage and individuality. Many Rwandans can greet in English, but making the exchange in Kinyarwanda is much more in the spirit of the greeting. Eyes will sparkle with appreciation as you greet individuals in their native language.

It creates personal connections that will last a lifetime.

Saying something to a child that they can understand seems to turn on a light inside of them. Speaking to them encourages them to communicate with you, gets them excited and can even make them laugh. It’s a much more personal experience than communicating through a translator.

 

Imagine saying “What’s your name?” or “How old are you?” to a child in their language. Looking into their eyes and say “you are beautiful” is a much more loving and rewarding way to connect and will leave you with memories of personal connections that will last a lifetime.

 

It helps you understand what’s going on around you.

Through our extensive travels to Rwanda, we’ve realized that it’s very difficult to understand all the conversations around us. Many visitors with no grasp of the language feel isolated from groups who fully engage with the language. If you become familiar with even 50 of the most common Kinyarwanda phrases, you’ll be able to recognize conversations and discussions and feel more socially connected with those around you.

 

It makes for a much easier and rewarding trip.

During your trip to Rwanda, you might need to ask practical questions such as “Where is the bathroom?” or “Where can I find water?” Knowing how to express key phrases such as these will let you feel more at ease throughout your stay.