Hausa Sounds and Spelling: Master Boko and Pronunciation · Lesson 1 · 3 minutes
Meet Boko
Identify the Boko writing system.
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Welcome to Kano
Amina walks through a market in Kano. She looks at shop signs on the walls. The letters look familiar.
The Boko Script
Today, people write Hausa in Latin letters. This writing system is called Boko. You already know its letters.
What alphabet does Boko use to write Hausa?
- The Latin alphabet
- Only Arabic letters
- Greek letters
Answer: The Latin alphabet
Boko uses the Latin alphabet to write Hausa.
Complete the sentence about the script Amina sees.
The Latin script for Hausa is called ___.
Answer: The Latin script for Hausa is called Boko.
Boko is the name of the Latin script used for Hausa.
Amina sees a sign for food: 'Kasuwa'. Is modern Hausa written only in Arabic?
- No, modern Hausa uses the Latin Boko alphabet.
- Yes, Hausa can never be written in Latin letters.
Answer: No, modern Hausa uses the Latin Boko alphabet.
Modern Hausa signs and books mostly use the Latin Boko alphabet.
Build the rule Amina learned in Kano.
Answer: Boko uses Latin letters to write Hausa
Boko uses familiar Latin letters to write Hausa words.
Put Amina's steps in order as she reads a shop sign:
Answer: Amina looks at a market sign. → She spots standard Latin letters. → She reads the Hausa word in Boko.
Amina reads the Latin letters of Boko on street signs.
What to remember
- Boko is the Latin script used for the Hausa language.
- Modern signs and books in Kano use Boko letters.
- You already recognize the basic Latin letters.
Next in this course: Dropped Letters. It carries on in the Breni app.
The full Hausa Sounds and Spelling: Master Boko and Pronunciation path