Sesotho is about to be added to the uTalk app
The uTalk app is designed to make it quick, easy and fun for beginners to get started in a new language.
It includes around 2,500 useful words and phrases all voiced by male and female native speakers. You learn by listening to native speaker audio, recording yourself copying their pronunciation and playing memory-boosting games which test you on what you’ve learned. (The games even test you more on the questions you get wrong.)
You can try uTalk for free by downloading it onto your smartphone, tablet or computer at utalk.com/app and choosing Free Starter Words in the language you want to learn.
Schools interested in using the app for groups of students can also get access to a dashboard which tracks users’ learning progress including time spent and the number of points scored.
uTalk is a London-based company which has been helping people worldwide learn a new language for more than 25 years. It is particularly keen on championing minority languages and its app includes a range of 150+ languages for people to learn with plans to add Sesotho later this month (March).
What’s unique about the app is that it doesn’t just work for English speakers. It also works for the speakers of more than 100 other languages by automatically defaulting to the language of your device. So, once Sesotho is added to the app, people worldwide will be able to use uTalk to learn Sesotho and see all the 2,500 words and phrases translated into their own language.
Importantly, the app will also help Sesotho speakers learn any of 150+ languages from their own language eg learning French or Welsh from Sesotho.
For more details about the app see utalk.com.
*uTalk would like to thank Dolen Cymru for putting the company in touch with native Sesotho speakers in the UK. We would also like to thank Tlhaloso Mpopo and Hlokomelang Rakojoana for their work in translating all the Sesotho content for uTalk and spending two days in our London studio recording all the words and phrases for uTalk Sesotho.
Introducing Tlhaloso …..
Who you are, what you do in the UK?
Hi! I am Tlhaloso Mpopo and I’m a lawyer originally from the beautiful Kingdom of Lesotho. I’m currently in the UK, Nottingham, studying towards my Masters in Technology Law at Nottingham Trent University. I am a 2024/25 Chevening Scholar!
How do you like it? How does it compare to home?
I am enjoying my time in Nottingham and the UK as a whole. I have made a lot of new friends and my university is a great place to be. The transport links are amazing and I am able to travel to different parts of the UK without any worry. The biggest difference from home has to be the fact that in as much as we speak English in Lesotho, the UK primarily uses English, with regional dialects which I was not aware of before coming to the UK. Nottingham for example, has a rich and distinctive dialect with many unique words and phrases not commonly used in other parts of the UK. Some notable examples are; “Me duck”, which is used as a term of endearment, similar to “my dear” in other regions and a roll of bread is called “a cob”.
What was the process of working on the UTalk content for the language app?
My role involved translating English words and phrases into Sesotho and recording their pronunciations. This experience was not only rewarding but also opened my eyes to the intricacies of language translation and the power of technology in language learning.
How did you find it? Was it a new challenge?
The actual translation process was both challenging and enlightening. I had to consider cultural context, literal vs. idiomatic translations as well as maintaining the original meaning while ensuring natural expression in my native language. Some challenges I encountered during the recording sessions were maintaining energy and enthusiasm across multiple recording sessions, dealing with tongue twisters and difficult pronunciations and ensuring consistency in voice quality. This was a new and interesting challenge for me.
What would you say to someone wanting to learn Sesotho?
Learning Sesotho is a rewarding journey that not only opens doors to understanding a beautiful culture but also connects you with millions of people in Lesotho, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Apps like UTalk offer interactive courses covering essential topics like food, colors, and numbers etc. Embarking on this journey will not only enrich your understanding of the language but also deepen your connection to the vibrant culture of Basotho. Good luck!
Introducing Deiv …..
My name is Hlokomelang Rakojoana, though most people call me Deiv. I am a Chevening Scholar currently undertaking an MSc in Data Science and Analytics at Brunel University of London. Being in the UK has been a remarkable experience, not just academically but also in terms of personal growth and cultural exposure.
How Do I Like It Here? How Does It Compare to Home?
So far, I am loving my time in the UK! Winter here feels quite similar to that of Lesotho, at least in the lowlands. Aside from the constant rain, everything has been a blast. One of the most impressive things is the convenience of the transport system: buses are rarely late, the tube is an experience to cherish, and the rental bikes—like those from Santander or Lime—are an easy and fun way to get around.
Another thing that stands out is how technology is seamlessly integrated into daily life. Self-checkout kiosks in stores are a game-changer, something we don’t have back home. Also, cash is almost obsolete here—everything is digital, from contactless payments to even classroom interactions. In Lesotho, we still rely heavily on cash transactions, so this has been a fascinating contrast for me.
The Process of Working on UTalk Content
I had the incredible opportunity to work with UTalk, where my task was to review and correct Sesotho translations of common words, items, games, animals, and adventures. My good friend, Tlhaloso, and I partnered on this project, regularly checking in on each other to ensure accuracy and consistency—a collaboration that fostered teamwork and a deep appreciation for our language.
Once we completed the translation review, we traveled to Fulham to UTalk’s offices for the recording sessions. Over two days, we recorded how these words are pronounced in Sesotho, ensuring that the pronunciation was clear and that the words were used correctly in context. It was a meticulous but rewarding process.
How Did I Find the Experience? Was It a New Challenge?
I absolutely loved the experience! It was something I had never done before, so it was definitely a new challenge. Initially, I thought recording my voice would be nerve-wracking—I had never been in a studio before. However, the UTalk team was incredibly welcoming, making the entire experience enjoyable. As nerve-racking as it seemed at first, I can now confidently say I’m growing to love the sound of my own voice—who would have thought?
Another unexpected yet enriching aspect of the experience was rediscovering Sesotho in such depth. From noun structures to pronunciation nuances, I realized how much English has influenced my daily speech. The process helped me reconnect with my mother tongue and reinforced the beauty of my native language.
Why Should Someone Learn Sesotho?
If you’re considering learning Sesotho, I’d say go for it! Here’s why:
- Easy to Learn – Sesotho is a phonetic language, meaning words are pronounced as they are written. This makes it relatively easy for beginners to pick up.
- A Three-for-One Deal – Learning Sesotho also gives you an advantage in understanding Setswana and Sepedi, as the three languages share a lot of similarities.
- Connect with Local Communities – Sesotho is widely spoken in both Lesotho and South Africa. There’s a large Basotho community in South Africa, making it useful even before setting foot in Lesotho.
- Rich Cultural Experience – The language comes with deep cultural insights, proverbs, and idioms that will help you connect with native speakers on a deeper level.
- Expands Communication in Southern Africa – As a Bantu language, Sesotho shares many linguistic patterns with other languages in the region, making it a great starting point for exploring Southern African languages.
If you’re interested in learning Sesotho, UTalk is a great place to start. The experience of working with them has not only strengthened my love for my language but has also made me realize how important it is to preserve and promote Sesotho globally.
Ke a leboha! (Thank you!) and Likhomo!
