Language/Shona/Grammar/Indirect-Questions
Asking questions is an essential part of communication. It helps us gather information and clarify our understanding of a situation. In Shona language, there are two types of questions: direct and indirect. Direct questions are those that are asked directly, while indirect questions are those that are embedded within a sentence.
In this lesson, we will focus on indirect questions. We will learn how to form them and how to use them in conversation. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of Shona indirect questions and be able to apply them in your everyday conversations.
Forming Indirect Questions
Indirect questions are formed by embedding a question within a statement. They often start with interrogative pronouns such as "what," "who," "when," "where," "why," and "how."
Here's an example of an indirect question:
- She asked me if I knew what time it was.
The indirect question in the above sentence is "what time it was." It is embedded within the statement "She asked me if I knew."
To form an indirect question in Shona, you can follow these steps:
- Start with the statement or sentence that you want to use as the basis of your indirect question.
- Include an introductory verb or phrase that indicates that a question is being asked. Common examples include "Chandinonyadzisa," meaning "I wonder if," and "Ndicharwadziswa here," meaning "Will I be punished if."
- Insert an interrogative pronoun such as "what," "who," "when," "where," "why," or "how."
- Add the rest of the question or the information that you are seeking to obtain.
Here's an example of an indirect question in Shona:
- Ndichafa zvangu kana ndichinzi?
("Will I die if I say?")
In this example, the interrogative pronoun is "kana" meaning "if," and the introductory phrase is "Ndichafa zvangu" meaning "I'll die my own death."
Other examples of indirect questions in Shona include:
- Chandinonyadzisa kuti here vakuru ava vakaita?"
("I wonder if these elders did this?")
- Ndichada kufara kana ndinobuda zvangu here?"
("May I smile if I go out alone?")
- Ndiripo here kana watochiona kuno nekutyanika?"
("Am I present if you see me here and yet I am struggling?")
Remember that when using indirect questions, the subject and the verb should agree with each other as they do in a declarative statement.
Using Indirect Questions in Conversation
Indirect questions are often used in more formal situations or when the speaker wants to be more polite. They can also be used to introduce a sensitive topic without coming across as accusatory or confrontational.
Let's look at some examples of how you can use indirect questions in conversation.
Example 1:
Tatenda is at a restaurant and wants to order some food but is unsure of what to get. She sees another customer eating a delicious looking meal and wants to know what it is. Instead of being direct and asking the customer, Tatenda decides to use an indirect question.
- Tatenda: Ndapota, ndapota? Ndingafara kana ndinopihwa chikafu chako nezvechokwadi?"
("Excuse me, excuse me? Will I be happy if I get what you are eating and its attributes?")
Example 2:
Ngonidzashe is at a work meeting and wants to ask a question about a project that his colleague has been working on. Instead of being too direct and potentially coming off as confrontational or accusatory, Ngonidzashe decides to use an indirect question.
- Ngonidzashe: Ndokumbira ruzivo kana maprojects amatakarwira kuno uko?
("May you give me an idea of the projects that you have been doing here?")
As you can see from these examples, indirect questions are a useful tool for communicating in a polite and indirect manner.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you have learned how to form indirect questions in Shona and use them in conversation. Indirect questions are an important part of communication and can help you express yourself in a more polite and indirect way. Remember to use indirect questions in situations where you want to be more polite, or when introducing a sensitive topic.
As you continue to learn Shona, don't forget to explore other aspects of Shona Grammar - The Shona Alphabet, deepen your understanding of Shona Grammar: Nouns and Pronouns - Personal Pronouns, and master the Shona Grammar - Conditional Mood. Practice forming and using indirect questions, and the more you practice, the more confident you will become when speaking the language. Keep it up, and soon you will be speaking Shona like a pro! 😊