My name is Hassan Maalim Yussuf, 31 years old and studying at Egerton university , Inc. I am currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. This is my language biography.
I will tell a short story about how I've learned my language, from my first language or mother tongue to my second language that I know today and continue to learn as days go by. Right now I can speak two languages, which are Kiswahili and Somali, my mother tongue, and the universal language, which is the English language. I can also speak in Oromia but only a few words, but I am open to learning that dialect in our region. My parents are both from Somali and speak Kisomali and Swahili , a dialect that has different kinds of words being used aside from Swahili dialect words. As I was also born in Nairobi and have been living here since birth, I acquired my first language, Swahili, because of my parents, who were the first ones to teach me when I was a child. That's why my first language is Swahili . The skills I can perform using my first language are speaking, singing, writing, reciting a poem, debating, and quiet public speaking. The second languages I know are English, Swahili, and a few words in the Oromia dialect. I learned my second language mostly from my parents
because they were the ones who were with me most of the time as was arowing up. When
it comes to English, I must say that I learned most of my English from school and other platforms that may be used, like different social media platforms that are emerging nowadays. In my second language, the skills I can perform are also the skills I can use in my first language. I am not that good, but at least I am trying my best. My language strength is the ability to learn, speak, and write well. On the other hand, if there is strength, there will
always be weaknesses. My language weakness is that I am not that confident when it comes to speaking. but deep down inside have many words in my thoughts that want to share or
open up. Sometimes I also don't have the focus to understand what I am reading. At this moment, my favorite language is dhulo . I know dhulo is not a language, but when I am going to use both, I have the courage to express myself, my thoughts, and some good ideas in my head, but if it is between Swahili or English, I must say that I would pick the English one because. for me. it is an advantage when you know how to speak English nicely and fluently. That's why I am open to learn more about the English language so that someday I will have the completely confidence and courage to speak up, especially for myself.
