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In this lesson, we explore how Bemba expresses the English preposition “by” in contexts of agency, means, and instrument. Unlike English, which relies heavily on the single preposition “by” for these functions, Bemba employs several strategies that reflect different aspects of causation and instrumentality.
The primary expressions include: -
Pa (and its variant pamulandu) - expressing cause, reason, or location-based agency -
Na - expressing accompaniment, means, or instrument -
Na bambi - a more explicit phrase meaning “by means of” -
Passive verbal constructions - using the suffix -w- before the final vowel
This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series. For the complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “by” mean in Bemba?
“By” in English serves multiple functions - indicating agency in passive constructions (”by someone”), means or instrument (”by train,” “by hand”), and cause or reason (”by accident”). Bemba distinguishes these functions more explicitly. For agency and cause, pa or pamulandu is often used. For means and instrument, na is the primary choice. For passive constructions, Bemba can use the verbal suffix -w- though this is less common than in English, with Bemba speakers often preferring active constructions.
Key Takeaways -
Bemba distinguishes between different types of “by” relationships more explicitly than English -
Pa indicates location-based agency or causation -
Na expresses means, instrument, or accompaniment -
The passive suffix -w- exists but is used less frequently than English passive voice -
Understanding these distinctions provides insight into Bemba’s more precise expression of causal relationships
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33.1a Incito work yabombwa was-done pa by bantu people bonse all
33.1b Incito (in-CHI-toh) work yabombwa (ya-bom-BWA) was-done pa (pah) by bantu (bahn-TOO) people bonse (BON-seh) all
33.2a Umulandu case wafishikapo was-decided pa by balamya judge mu in koti court
33.2b Umulandu (oo-moo-LAHN-doo) case wafishikapo (wa-fee-shee-KAH-poh) was-decided pa (pah) by balamya (bah-LAHM-yah) judge mu (moo) in koti (KOH-tee) court
33.3a Naaya I-went ku to tauni town na by imotoka car
33.3b Naaya (nah-AH-yah) I-went ku (koo) to tauni (tah-OO-nee) town na (nah) by imotoka (ee-moh-TOH-kah) car
33.4a Bacenjesha they-cut ifyuni wood na by isekelo axe
33.4b Bacenjesha (bah-chen-JEH-shah) they-cut ifyuni (ee-FYOO-nee) wood na (nah) by isekelo (ee-seh-KEH-loh) axe
33.5a Pamulandu because-of wa of mvula rain tashafika he-not-came pa on ntanshi time
33.5b Pamulandu (pah-moo-LAHN-doo) because-of wa (wah) of mvula (MVOO-lah) rain tashafika (tah-shah-FEE-kah) he-not-came pa (pah) on ntanshi (n-TAHN-shee) time
33.6a Icitabo book calembwa was-written pa by umusumba author
33.6b Icitabo (ee-chee-TAH-boh) book calembwa (chah-lem-BWA) was-written pa (pah) by umusumba (oo-moo-SOOM-bah) author
33.7a Twaleenda we-walked na by amakasa feet-our ukufuma from munga home ukufika to-reach ku at cikolo school
33.7b Twaleenda (twa-leh-EN-dah) we-walked na (nah) by amakasa (ah-mah-KAH-sah) feet-our ukufuma (oo-koo-FOO-mah) from munga (MOON-gah) home ukufika (oo-koo-fee-KAH) to-reach ku (koo) at cikolo (chee-KOH-loh) school
33.8a Balemba they-write amapepa letters na with ipeni pen
33.8b Balemba (bah-LEM-bah) they-write amapepa (ah-mah-PEH-pah) letters na (nah) with ipeni (ee-PEH-nee) pen
33.9a Incende house yafishilwa was-destroyed pa by umulilo fire
33.9b Incende (in-CHEN-deh) house yafishilwa (ya-fee-SHEEL-wah) was-destroyed pa (pah) by umulilo (oo-moo-LEE-loh) fire
33.10a Na by bambi means wa of ukubomba working cakuti hard bafika they-arrived pa at nkongole success
33.10b Na (nah) by bambi (BAHM-bee) means wa (wah) of ukubomba (oo-koo-BOM-bah) working cakuti (chah-KOO-tee) hard bafika (bah-FEE-kah) they-arrived pa (pah) at nkongole (n-kon-GOH-leh) success
33.11a Akabalele message atumilwa was-sent pa by umutumwa messenger ukuya going ku to calo village
33.11b Akabalele (ah-kah-bah-LEH-leh) message atumilwa (ah-too-MEEL-wah) was-sent pa (pah) by umutumwa (oo-moo-TOOM-wah) messenger ukuya (oo-koo-YAH) going ku (koo) to calo (CHAH-loh) village
33.12a Balipaya they-cook ifyakulya food na with inkuni firewood
33.12b Balipaya (bah-lee-PAH-yah) they-cook ifyakulya (ee-fyah-KOOL-yah) food na (nah) with inkuni (in-KOO-nee) firewood
33.13a Umwana child alimwishile learned ukusambilila to-read na by ukufunda studying cila every bushiku day
33.13b Umwana (oom-WAH-nah) child alimwishile (ah-lee-mwee-SHEE-leh) learned ukusambilila (oo-koo-sahm-bee-LEE-lah) to-read na (nah) by ukufunda (oo-koo-FOON-dah) studying cila (CHEE-lah) every bushiku (boo-SHEE-koo) day
33.14a Ameno teeth yamwishwa were-cleaned na with amasabuni soap
33.14b Ameno (ah-MEH-noh) teeth yamwishwa (yah-mwee-SHWAH) were-cleaned na (nah) with amasabuni (ah-mah-sah-BOO-nee) soap
33.15a Pa by mano wisdom ya of bakalamba elders musumba village wafuma prospered bwino well
33.15b Pa (pah) by mano (MAH-noh) wisdom ya (yah) of bakalamba (bah-kah-LAHM-bah) elders musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village wafuma (wah-FOO-mah) prospered bwino (BWEE-noh) well
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33.1 Incito yabombwa pa bantu bonse. “The work was done by all the people.”
33.2 Umulandu wafishikapo pa balamya mu koti. “The case was decided by the judge in court.”
33.3 Naaya ku tauni na imotoka. “I went to town by car.”
33.4 Bacenjesha ifyuni na isekelo. “They cut the wood by axe.”
33.5 Pamulandu wa mvula tashafika pa ntanshi. “Because of the rain, he didn’t arrive on time.”
33.6 Icitabo calembwa pa umusumba. “The book was written by the author.”
33.7 Twaleenda na amakasa yesu ukufuma munga ukufika ku cikolo. “We walked by our feet from home to reach school.”
33.8 Balemba amapepa na ipeni. “They write letters with a pen.”
33.9 Incende yafishilwa pa umulilo. “The house was destroyed by fire.”
33.10 Na bambi wa ukubomba cakuti bafika pa nkongole. “By means of hard working, they reached success.”
33.11 Akabalele atumilwa pa umutumwa ukuya ku calo. “The message was sent by the messenger going to the village.”
33.12 Balipaya ifyakulya na inkuni. “They cook food with firewood.”
33.13 Umwana alimwishile ukusambilila na ukufunda cila bushiku. “The child learned to read by studying every day.”
33.14 Ameno yamwishwa na amasabuni. “The teeth were cleaned with soap.”
33.15 Pa mano ya bakalamba musumba wafuma bwino. “By the wisdom of the elders, the village prospered well.”
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33.1 Incito yabombwa pa bantu bonse.
33.2 Umulandu wafishikapo pa balamya mu koti.
33.3 Naaya ku tauni na imotoka.
33.4 Bacenjesha ifyuni na isekelo.
33.5 Pamulandu wa mvula tashafika pa ntanshi.
33.6 Icitabo calembwa pa umusumba.
33.7 Twaleenda na amakasa yesu ukufuma munga ukufika ku cikolo.
33.8 Balemba amapepa na ipeni.
33.9 Incende yafishilwa pa umulilo.
33.10 Na bambi wa ukubomba cakuti bafika pa nkongole.
33.11 Akabalele atumilwa pa umutumwa ukuya ku calo.
33.12 Balipaya ifyakulya na inkuni.
33.13 Umwana alimwishile ukusambilila na ukufunda cila bushiku.
33.14 Ameno yamwishwa na amasabuni.
33.15 Pa mano ya bakalamba musumba wafuma bwino.
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These are the grammar rules for expressing agency, means, and instrument in Bemba:
The preposition pa has multiple related functions in Bemba:
Location: Pa ku tauni (at the town), pa calo (at the village)
Agency in passive: When something is done BY an agent, pa introduces that agent: -
Incito yabombwa pa bantu (The work was done by people) -
Icitabo calembwa pa umusumba (The book was written by the author)
Cause/Reason: Pa and especially pamulandu express causation: -
Pamulandu wa mvula (Because of rain) -
Pa mano ya bakalamba (Through/by the wisdom of elders)
The connection between these meanings reflects Bemba’s conceptualization of agency as a kind of locative relationship - the agent is the “place” from which the action originates.
The preposition na is versatile in Bemba:
Instrument: Objects used to perform actions: -
Bacenjesha ifyuni na isekelo (They cut wood with/by an axe) -
Balemba na ipeni (They write with a pen)
Means of transport: How one travels: -
Naaya na imotoka (I went by car) -
Twaleenda na amakasa (We walked by foot/on foot)
Method/Manner: How something is accomplished: -
Alimwishile na ukufunda (He learned by studying)
Accompaniment: With someone/something: -
Naile na baice (I went with friends)
For emphasizing the means or method, Bemba uses na bambi wa: -
Na bambi wa ukubomba cakuti (By means of hard work)
This construction is more formal and emphatic than simple na.
Bemba forms passive verbs by inserting -w- before the final vowel:
Active to Passive transformations: -
bomba (do/work) → bombwa (be done/worked) -
lemba (write) → lembwa (be written) -
tuma (send) → tumwa (be sent) -
fishila (destroy) → fishilwa (be destroyed)
Structure: yabombwa = ya- (subject prefix class 9) + bomb- (root) + -w- (passive) + -a (final vowel)
Important Note: While Bemba has passive constructions, they are used less frequently than in English. Bemba speakers often prefer active voice constructions even when English would use passive.
Agency expressions follow Bemba’s noun class system: -
Class 1/2 (people): umuntu/abantu - pa abantu (by people) -
Class 3/4: umusumba/imisumba - pa umusumba (by author) -
Class 5/6: icalo/ifyalo - ku calo (at/to village) -
Class 7/8: icitabo/ifitabo - icitabo (book) -
Class 9/10: incende/incende - incende (house)
The preposition pa remains constant, but the noun class affects verb agreement in passive constructions.
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Using “na” for human agency in passives: Incorrect: *Incito yabombwa na bantu. Correct: Incito yabombwa pa bantu. (Use pa for human agents, na for instruments) -
Overusing passive voice: Bemba prefers active constructions. Instead of “The book was written by the author,” Bemba speakers often say “The author wrote the book” (Umusumba alembe icitabo). -
Confusing “pa” meanings: Context determines whether pa means “at,” “by,” or “because of.” Word order and surrounding words provide clarity. -
Forgetting the passive marker: Active: alemba (he writes), Passive: alembwa (it is written) - don’t forget the -w- -
Using “ku” instead of “pa”: Ku indicates direction (to), pa indicates location or agency (at/by). They are not interchangeable.
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Formal Context: In formal Bemba (religious services, court proceedings, official announcements), passive constructions with pa are more common: -
Umulandu wafishikapo pa balamya (The case was decided by the judge)
Informal/Colloquial: Everyday speech prefers active voice: -
Balamya bafishikapo umulandu (The judge decided the case)
The Bemba preference for active over passive constructions reflects cultural values of direct action and clear attribution of responsibility. In traditional Bemba society, identifying who performs actions is important for accountability and social cohesion.
The use of pamulandu (because of/due to) shows the Bemba cultural attention to causation and explanation. When something happens, Bemba speakers often explicitly state the cause using this construction.
Pa mano (by wisdom) is a common expression emphasizing that success comes through wise decision-making rather than force: -
Pa mano musumba ufuma (By wisdom the village prospers)
Na amakasa (by foot/on foot) appears in many expressions about hard work and personal effort: -
Nshilalubisha na amakasa yandi (I struggled with my own feet - I did it myself through hard work)
Some dialects use kuli instead of pa for agency: -
Standard: pa umusumba (by the author) -
Some dialects: kuli umusumba
The Copperbelt urban varieties of Bemba, influenced by English and other Zambian languages, sometimes use passive voice more frequently than rural varieties.
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From Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Bemba, a text that demonstrates formal use of agency expressions:
Abantu people bonse all bafyalwa are-born abalubuka free nokulingana and-equal mu in mucinshi dignity nensambu and-rights
Abantu (ah-BAHN-too) people bonse (BON-seh) all bafyalwa (bah-fyah-LYAH-wah) are-born abalubuka (ah-bah-loo-BOO-kah) free nokulingana (noh-koo-lee-NGAH-nah) and-equal mu (moo) in mucinshi (moo-CHIN-shee) dignity nensambu (nen-SAHM-boo) and-rights
Balikwata they-have amano reason nokutontonkanya and-conscience eico therefore bafwile they-should ukulacita to-act ifintu things ku to banabo fellows-their mu in mutima heart wa of bwananyina brotherhood
Balikwata (bah-lee-KWAH-tah) they-have amano (ah-MAH-noh) reason nokutontonkanya (noh-koo-ton-ton-KAHN-yah) and-conscience eico (eh-EE-choh) therefore bafwile (bah-FWEE-leh) they-should ukulacita (oo-koo-lah-CHEE-tah) to-act ifintu (ee-FEEN-too) things ku (koo) to banabo (bah-NAH-boh) fellows-their mu (moo) in mutima (moo-TEE-mah) heart wa (wah) of bwananyina (bwah-nahn-YEE-nah) brotherhood
Abantu bonse bafyalwa abalubuka nokulingana mu mucinshi nensambu. Balikwata amano nokutontonkanya, eico bafwile ukulacita ifintu ku banabo mu mutima wa bwananyina.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
Abantu bonse bafyalwa abalubuka nokulingana mu mucinshi nensambu. Balikwata amano nokutontonkanya, eico bafwile ukulacita ifintu ku banabo mu mutima wa bwananyina.
bafyalwa - passive form of fyala (to be born/give birth). The -w- marks the passive voice, showing that people are the recipients of the action of being born rather than active agents.
mu mucinshi nensambu - mu is the preposition “in,” showing the state or condition of dignity and rights. Note the use of na compressed to ne- before nsambu (rights), demonstrating vowel harmony.
balikwata - present habitual tense meaning “they have” or “they possess.” The structure ba-li-kwat-a shows: ba- (class 2 subject prefix) + -li- (present continuous) + -kwat- (root: hold/have) + -a (final vowel).
eico - therefore/thus - a logical connector showing consequence.
mu mutima wa bwananyina - literally “in the heart of brotherhood.” This construction uses mu (in) to express manner, similar to how pa and na express agency and means. The phrase wa bwananyina uses the associative wa (of) to show possession/characteristic.
This passage from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was translated into Bemba in formal register, suitable for official documents. Notice several key features: -
Passive construction: bafyalwa (are born) - though passive is less common in everyday Bemba, it appears in formal documents translating international texts. -
No explicit agent: The passive bafyalwa doesn’t specify who does the birthing, following the English source text. In traditional Bemba narratives, such agents would typically be specified. -
Abstract concepts: Words like mucinshi (dignity), nsambu (rights), and bwananyina (brotherhood) represent Western legal concepts adapted into Bemba, showing the language’s flexibility in expressing new ideas. -
mu mutima (in the heart/spirit) - This phrase connects to traditional Bemba values where the mutima (heart) is the seat of moral action and community feeling, making the abstract concept of “brotherhood” more concrete.
This text demonstrates how Bemba handles formal, philosophical language while maintaining its grammatical structure and cultural metaphors.
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33.16a Musumba village wa of Mpika Mpika wapewa was-given incito work pa by boma government
33.16b Musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village wa (wah) of Mpika (m-PEE-kah) Mpika wapewa (wah-PEH-wah) was-given incito (in-CHEE-toh) work pa (pah) by boma (BOH-mah) government
33.17a Abakashana women bambi some baleepanga are-making amakonco bricks na with amakasa hands yabo their
33.17b Abakashana (ah-bah-kah-SHAH-nah) women bambi (BAHM-bee) some baleepanga (bah-leh-eh-PAHN-gah) are-making amakonco (ah-mah-KON-choh) bricks na (nah) with amakasa (ah-mah-KAH-sah) hands yabo (YAH-boh) their
33.18a Incende houses ya of cikolo school yakwiwile were-built na by bambi means wa of mali money ya from bafisa donors
33.18b Incende (in-CHEN-deh) houses ya (yah) of cikolo (chee-KOH-loh) school yakwiwile (yah-kwee-WEE-leh) were-built na (nah) by bambi (BAHM-bee) means wa (wah) of mali (MAH-lee) money ya (yah) from bafisa (bah-FEE-sah) donors
33.19a Abaume men baletosa are-digging amasofu wells na with amapiko shovels
33.19b Abaume (ah-bah-OO-meh) men baletosa (bah-leh-TOH-sah) are-digging amasofu (ah-mah-SOH-foo) wells na (nah) with amapiko (ah-mah-PEE-koh) shovels
33.20a Pa by imyaka year itatu three musumba village ufwa will-have amenshi water yakulya drinking na and amalangizi electricity
33.20b Pa (pah) by imyaka (ee-MYAH-kah) year itatu (ee-TAH-too) three musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village ufwa (OO-fwah) will-have amenshi (ah-MEN-shee) water yakulya (yah-KOOL-yah) drinking na (nah) and amalangizi (ah-mah-lahn-GEE-zee) electricity
33.21a Umufundisha teacher wa of cikolo school Bana Mr. Mwape Mwape atikashile explained ukuti that abaice children balemwishisha are-being-taught pa by bafundisha teachers baishile who-came ukufuma from Lusaka Lusaka
33.21b Umufundisha (oo-moo-foon-DEE-shah) teacher wa (wah) of cikolo (chee-KOH-loh) school Bana (BAH-nah) Mr. Mwape (MWAH-peh) Mwape atikashile (ah-tee-kah-SHEE-leh) explained ukuti (oo-KOO-tee) that abaice (ah-bah-EE-cheh) children balemwishisha (bah-leh-mwee-SHEE-shah) are-being-taught pa (pah) by bafundisha (bah-foon-DEE-shah) teachers baishile (bah-ee-SHEE-leh) who-came ukufuma (oo-koo-FOO-mah) from Lusaka (loo-SAH-kah) Lusaka
33.22a Abaice children baleenda walk ku to cikolo school na by amakasa feet kuli even pamulandu because inshalache road tailiyo is-not-there
33.22b Abaice (ah-bah-EE-cheh) children baleenda (bah-leh-EN-dah) walk ku (koo) to cikolo (chee-KOH-loh) school na (nah) by amakasa (ah-mah-KAH-sah) feet kuli (KOO-lee) even pamulandu (pah-moo-LAHN-doo) because inshalache (in-shah-LAH-cheh) road tailiyo (tah-ee-LEE-yoh) is-not-there
33.23a Inshalache road ikapangwa will-be-made na by bambi means wa of amashini machines ya of boma government
33.23b Inshalache (in-shah-LAH-cheh) road ikapangwa (ee-kah-pahn-GWAH) will-be-made na (nah) by bambi (BAHM-bee) means wa (wah) of amashini (ah-mah-SHEE-nee) machines ya (yah) of boma (BOH-mah) government
33.24a Abashilika farmers balebomba are-working na with amalimo energy ukupanga to-make ifyakulya food fya for aboonse everyone
33.24b Abashilika (ah-bah-shee-LEE-kah) farmers balebomba (bah-leh-BOM-bah) are-working na (nah) with amalimo (ah-mah-LEE-moh) energy ukupanga (oo-koo-PAHN-gah) to-make ifyakulya (ee-fyah-KOOL-yah) food fya (fyah) for aboonse (ah-boh-ON-seh) everyone
33.25a Amalulu vegetables yalimwa were-planted pa by abakashana women mu in misaka gardens
33.25b Amalulu (ah-mah-LOO-loo) vegetables yalimwa (yah-LEEM-wah) were-planted pa (pah) by abakashana (ah-bah-kah-SHAH-nah) women mu (moo) in misaka (mee-SAH-kah) gardens
33.26a Bakalamba elders ba of musumba village balondolwesha explain ukuti that pa through ukubombela cooperation pamo together incito work yonse all ilebomfya is-successful
33.26b Bakalamba (bah-kah-LAHM-bah) elders ba (bah) of musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village balondolwesha (bah-lon-dol-WEH-shah) explain ukuti (oo-KOO-tee) that pa (pah) through ukubombela (oo-koo-bom-BEH-lah) cooperation pamo (PAH-moh) together incito (in-CHEE-toh) work yonse (YON-seh) all ilebomfya (ee-leh-bom-FYAH) is-successful
33.27a Umulundu plan wapangwa was-made pa by abena people-of musumba village na with batekanya planners ba from boma government
33.27b Umulundu (oo-moo-LOON-doo) plan wapangwa (wah-pahn-GWAH) was-made pa (pah) by abena (ah-BEH-nah) people-of musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village na (nah) with batekanya (bah-teh-KAHN-yah) planners ba (bah) from boma (BOH-mah) government
33.28a Abaice children batemwa are-happy pamulandu because yakuti that baleepatiwa they-are-getting imfundisho education isampa good
33.28b Abaice (ah-bah-EE-cheh) children batemwa (bah-TEM-wah) are-happy pamulandu (pah-moo-LAHN-doo) because yakuti (yah-KOO-tee) that baleepatiwa (bah-leh-eh-pah-TEE-wah) they-are-getting imfundisho (eem-foon-DEE-shoh) education isampa (ee-SAHM-pah) good
33.29a Ukwikala life kwa of musumba village kulefuma is-improving na by bambi means wa of incito work yakupalamina of-developing
33.29b Ukwikala (oo-kwee-KAH-lah) life kwa (kwah) of musumba (moo-SOOM-bah) village kulefuma (koo-leh-FOO-mah) is-improving na (nah) by bambi (BAHM-bee) means wa (wah) of incito (in-CHEE-toh) work yakupalamina (yah-koo-pah-lah-MEE-nah) of-developing
33.30a Bonse all abantu people baletemwa are-pleased na with ifishimine results fya of ukubombelako working-together pamo together
33.30b Bonse (BON-seh) all abantu (ah-BAHN-too) people baletemwa (bah-leh-TEM-wah) are-pleased na (nah) with ifishimine (ee-fee-SHEE-mee-neh) results fya (fyah) of ukubombelako (oo-koo-bom-beh-LAH-koh) working-together pamo (PAH-moh) together
33.16 Musumba wa Mpika wapewa incito pa boma. “The village of Mpika was given work by the government.”
33.17 Abakashana bambi baleepanga amakonco na amakasa yabo. “Some women are making bricks with their hands.”
33.18 Incende ya cikolo yakwiwile na bambi wa mali ya bafisa. “The school houses were built by means of money from donors.”
33.19 Abaume baletosa amasofu na amapiko. “The men are digging wells with shovels.”
33.20 Pa imyaka itatu musumba ufwa amenshi yakulya na amalangizi. “By three years the village will have drinking water and electricity.”
33.21 Umufundisha wa cikolo Bana Mwape atikashile ukuti abaice balemwishisha pa bafundisha baishile ukufuma Lusaka. “The school teacher Mr. Mwape explained that the children are being taught by teachers who came from Lusaka.”
33.22 Abaice baleenda ku cikolo na amakasa kuli pamulandu inshalache tailiyo. “The children walk to school by foot even because there is no road.”
33.23 Inshalache ikapangwa na bambi wa amashini ya boma. “The road will be made by means of government machines.”
33.24 Abashilika balebomba na amalimo ukupanga ifyakulya fya aboonse. “The farmers are working with energy to make food for everyone.”
33.25 Amalulu yalimwa pa abakashana mu misaka. “The vegetables were planted by the women in the gardens.”
33.26 Bakalamba ba musumba balondolwesha ukuti pa ukubombela pamo incito yonse ilebomfya. “The village elders explain that through working together all work is successful.”
33.27 Umulundu wapangwa pa abena musumba na batekanya ba boma. “The plan was made by the village people with government planners.”
33.28 Abaice batemwa pamulandu yakuti baleepatiwa imfundisho isampa. “The children are happy because they are getting good education.”
33.29 Ukwikala kwa musumba kulefuma na bambi wa incito yakupalamina. “The village life is improving by means of development work.”
33.30 Bonse abantu baletemwa na ifishimine fya ukubombelako pamo. “All the people are pleased with the results of working together.”
33.16 Musumba wa Mpika wapewa incito pa boma.
33.17 Abakashana bambi baleepanga amakonco na amakasa yabo.
33.18 Incende ya cikolo yakwiwile na bambi wa mali ya bafisa.
33.19 Abaume baletosa amasofu na amapiko.
33.20 Pa imyaka itatu musumba ufwa amenshi yakulya na amalangizi.
33.21 Umufundisha wa cikolo Bana Mwape atikashile ukuti abaice balemwishisha pa bafundisha baishile ukufuma Lusaka.
33.22 Abaice baleenda ku cikolo na amakasa kuli pamulandu inshalache tailiyo.
33.23 Inshalache ikapangwa na bambi wa amashini ya boma.
33.24 Abashilika balebomba na amalimo ukupanga ifyakulya fya aboonse.
33.25 Amalulu yalimwa pa abakashana mu misaka.
33.26 Bakalamba ba musumba balondolwesha ukuti pa ukubombela pamo incito yonse ilebomfya.
33.27 Umulundu wapangwa pa abena musumba na batekanya ba boma.
33.28 Abaice batemwa pamulandu yakuti baleepatiwa imfundisho isampa.
33.29 Ukwikala kwa musumba kulefuma na bambi wa incito yakupalamina.
33.30 Bonse abantu baletemwa na ifishimine fya ukubombelako pamo.
This news report demonstrates several important features of how Bemba uses agency and instrument markers in connected discourse:
Consistent use of pa for human agency: -
wapewa pa boma (was given by government) -
balemwishisha pa bafundisha (are taught by teachers) -
yalimwa pa abakashana (were planted by women)
Na for instruments and means: -
na amakasa (with/by hands/feet) - repeated throughout showing persistent meaning -
na amapiko (with shovels) -
na bambi wa mali (by means of money)
Pamulandu for causation: -
pamulandu inshalache tailiyo (because there is no road) -
pamulandu yakuti baleepatiwa (because they are getting)
Passive constructions in formal reporting: This news style uses more passive voice than typical Bemba conversation, following journalistic conventions: -
wapewa (was given) -
yakwiwile (were built) -
yalimwa (were planted) -
wapangwa (was made)
Cooperative action expressions: The text emphasizes communal work with phrases like: -
ukubombela pamo (working together) -
pa ukubombela pamo (through working together)
These constructions reflect the Bemba cultural value of ubuntu/bumuntu - working cooperatively for community benefit.
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Key Pronunciation Features for Bemba:
Vowels (always pure, never diphthongs): -
a as in “father” - [a] -
e as in “bed” - [ɛ] -
i as in “machine” - [i] -
o as in “no” - [o] -
u as in “boot” - [u]
Double vowels indicate length: -
aa = long [aː] -
ee = long [eː]
Consonants of note: -
sh = [ʃ] as in “shoe” -
c = [ʧ] as in “church” -
ng’ = [ŋ] as in “singer” (velar nasal) -
ny = [ɲ] as in Spanish “señor”
Stress patterns: -
Usually falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable -
Example: mu-SUM-ba, a-ba-I-ce, pa-mu-LAN-doo
Tone: Bemba has high and low tones, but tone is not marked in standard orthography. Context usually clarifies meaning. In this lesson, pronunciation guides show stress placement but not tones, as tone marking is beyond the scope of beginner instruction.
Common sound combinations: -
Initial bw- = [βw] (voiced bilabial fricative + w) -
mp, mb, nc, ng = prenasalized consonants -
Final -wa in passives = [-wa] or [-βa] depending on dialect
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The Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series provides systematic, autodidact-friendly language instruction based on frequency-ordered vocabulary. This lesson is part of the Bemba course, designed to take learners from beginner to intermediate proficiency through carefully structured examples and authentic texts.
Course Methodology:
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, with a proven track record of helping autodidact learners achieve reading fluency. Our approach centers on: -
Interlinear glossing - Word-by-word translation that makes any text accessible -
Frequency-based vocabulary - Learning the most common words first for maximum practical benefit -
Authentic materials - Real language use from native speakers and literary sources -
Cultural context - Understanding not just words, but how and why they’re used
The Bemba Course:
Bemba (iciBemba) is one of Zambia’s seven recognized regional languages and serves as a lingua franca across much of northern and central Zambia. With over 5 million speakers, it’s an essential language for anyone working in or visiting the region.
This course follows the systematic vocabulary of the Modern Language Curriculum, introducing grammatical concepts as they become relevant through high-frequency words. Each lesson builds on previous knowledge while remaining self-contained through the interlinear glossing method.
Course Structure: -
Section A: Interlinear construed text with granular word-by-word glossing and pronunciation guides -
Section B: Natural sentences showing authentic Bemba syntax with English translations -
Section C: Target language only for reading practice and pronunciation development -
Section D: Explicit grammar explanation with examples and common mistakes -
Section E: Cultural context showing how language reflects Bemba society -
Section F: Literary citations from authentic Bemba texts -
Genre Section: Extended connected text (15 additional examples) demonstrating grammar in context
Why This Approach Works:
Traditional language courses often overwhelm learners with grammar rules before providing enough vocabulary to practice. The Latinum method inverts this: you learn vocabulary in order of usefulness, and grammar emerges naturally from accumulated examples. The interlinear glossing ensures you’re never lost, while the authentic texts show you real language use from day one.
For More Information: -
Complete course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
Latinum Institute reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk -
Founded 2006, trusted by thousands of language learners worldwide
Next Steps:
This lesson focused on expressing agency, means, and instrument through pa, na, and related constructions. Practice reading the examples aloud, paying attention to the pronunciation guides. Try creating your own sentences using the patterns you’ve learned. Most importantly, remember that passive voice is used less in Bemba than English - focus on learning the active constructions that Bemba speakers actually use in daily conversation.
The journey of language learning is long but rewarding. Pa mano na ukufunda (through wisdom and study), you can master Bemba and connect with millions of speakers across southern Africa.
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