Teach Yourself Xhosa

158 Pages·2003·41.63 MB·English

by  Beverley Kirsch

Contents
Fo lrR orde oEis: pt%e,coÌu. r Bmt poinrL ld. {a Mi tbn pãt. \ b.ngdonO. ^on
u^r44rD. rÊtephone:/44i0t?154O0a,4.Fd,.|J,0t)J5r0o4ra.
I inê,droFndoT
9.00-óm . VúdaJ ro-saúrda\t.r irh a /a hor m;.s;CcÍ .trenne @rce.
Emü úGss: orde6@ booL?oinr..ok.u
tu' U S.{ & cedd ordúqueri$. p'eM coaüc,\ rc/Co0FÍpom4 pubüshn g.425,
w*r loubya\fll..Ì iocotì\ad. Ltnobò064õ ,o?s.L S.A. t;kDt";nê r84Ì,;_a j5oo. Acknowledgements 5
lntuoduciion 6
In"qgH oMed tu,'te a Í ìdikh e sôur io. !el_gu,.redte m ns _ s,ú moflhd JO
nlonrcp e\ $td qdtdtridê úe r/d.r rar,.ar*rtui0!tudê\over2o0rirt*,núe Ukwazana kü-eropleni 20
nerü or rdgldg6. !rdtÀ. hobhie.u. d oúer tcirúe tuúúrie,. GettÍnga cquâütedo n ana eroplarÌe
Rinsh übnry Catltaguihg in pubtìetion Data 2 t kudtbâna k$'âkhona kúôlíürÌay _32
 ca|aloeuêe ntry lú rhis ridê is avaiìãblef ion IIE BriÌish Lihúry. Meetinga gâinâ t th€ Murays' home
Librury oÍ Cohgres cataloR cnd NMber O\ tire_
3 Ukwazi ukuthetha isixhosa 44
Fì^t publishedi n uK 199 by HodderE eadÌinep lc, 338 EuslonR oad,L ondo., inv I 3BH. Knowingh owt o speak)< hosa
Fi^rDubüshed'nSt a@b\ Mcr. onFmpora,.ypubirh,na.,1255fowúdJ ALenre, 4 Ukuthetha ngoúrsebêÍzt_ 58
UnolÌwood rch'caeo)n, ünors6 Oó4Gì97j.U .S a Speâkinga boutw ork
Tl'ê Tü.h Yolreìl' nãne dd logo se Eebríed rãde IMIG of Ho,l.tq & StoÌgbton Lr.L Uyithândâ nJânl lkoÍu yakho? 73
How doy ou ükey oul coffee?
Coptright @ I999 Bevêney Knsch md silvia Skôrse.
6 Nifu dümele ngokrraneleyo? 87
1tu, -yU b(.:. JÁnÌ ìo r.i_sbhytds l sennêedds. . Ndeor poar.r r ôf úú ism peucbhtâiqÍitcioanl, ìnmcyiu dbiÌcê r epphmol.otücocepdto €er rldrâinngs,m ittocrdi Í AÌe youw ârme nough?
aDyirìro mr on :lordeem d ÉEie\€tsJ nen s,nou, pmi\ror in n".,r,i
Dmrrìe o Hder búme lrr,be copy .sh, | ,.nsi1A a"mq | ,n"i,Errdg iúdtìe, oêút, UJenng ems€benzlnl -
íÌ^ffir,eMqí'd €pmeìï!! rep'odu.r,o,,ÌaJ beoDrd.ned.o frú e.ôprri8h, 'Maslúêthe lslxhosa' 103
L ei(rs agenc\| ' tuEd.o 0 Tomlhú I our Roaa,L d dor $ lpoHl Jennya t work- L€t's speak)f tosâ
u/\,yÍ os/G s\w:Ì . c orÍler di.êm qh"rl .hn Fôr.uúeela p'leI n Jd â. 0\oo)e lomprdi.' rioorrnr ú bor\,i dvbnÌoCyom l Ìedoú)r \.,êb emetr empc,ruJdod nupj-cudm.b. aLr shohôr,dLn,!enâ C 1,apo h;EIorjea.o\na@Jl. \i n-s. a UT'hNadnindgi eumgqsierhba€o zTinhia m-sânqâ' 116
Thandia t woÍk- 'Ì ân DÌ Thamsânqa'
I?eseÌ by Tenset Linìted, Covenry. En€lmd.
PÍúbd inCrfl Britainr or H@dq & s,o;gfro0 Fducdion,tc, d \.sonor Hoddd I UPeter emsebenzini €Kirstenbosch _ 13 0
HeddümP l! 3Je Eu..m [email protected] nndonv wt JBH bJ cor & \Ivrân Ld. RêddrÊ Petera t worka t Ki$tenbosch
BdkshiF
Inpqsion rüober 1O 9 4765432
Yeü 2oO42r$3 m02 2@l 2uN 1999
ACKNOWIEDGEMENTS
lo UThemba emsebenzlni - udliurano-ndlebe 149 Acknowledgements
Themba at wo* - an intelview
li is impossibÌ€ to qüâniiÍy Râlph Kísch's pâÌt in helping us to bring thìs
l1 Ndi[gathetha noMnumzana Thamsanqa? _ 164 book to ftrìiúon. His inieÍest, suppoÍ, lechnicâlâ dviceâ nd especiâìlyh is
May I speakto Mr ThaÌnsânqâ? generosityo f spint aÌe wtfâiling.
t2 Kümdlalo weqakamba 177 We would also like to thâDt Ms TheresâS oci foÍ her help wiú pmof
At thec ricketm âtch readinga nd for the mâny usefiÌ süggestìonss hem ade.
13 Mâsiye kulaâ rqsdnr intsha! 797 We âre gÍâiefuÌ to the íolìowing copyÍight oxneÍs for pe.mission to
L€t's go to thâtn ewr cstauÍant! ÍepÌoducet exts andp hotographs:
14 Ukuúenga impahla nezinto únto David Philip PubÌisheÌse ry) Ltd, CâpeT owÌì
Fort HareU niversity,A ìice, EasternC ape
zâkwaNtu zesiNtu
2ll
JohnM uÌmy, LondoD
Buing clotlÌes and vaÌiousA fiican aÍs ând cÌafts 'WitwateÍsÍandU niveÌsity hess, Johann€sburg
15 Iinkathazo zohambo HeinenanDP ublishen (Pty) Ltd, Johannesbug
TlaveÌw oes Su ndayI ndep endent,J o haúresbúE
l6 Umz a welifa llkaxhosa 241 MâskewM iler LonerÌan, CapeT own
Little, Brown, UK
)ftosâ heritag€ trâit
BducümP ublisheÌs,H affway House
Translaiions oÍ dialogues Bona,D uÌban
Ke!' to exeÍcises
Photographs
Xhosafnglish vocabulary
TV Bulpìn, MuizenbeÍg,C apeT o\In
English-Xhosa vocabula4r 308 lndepenalenNt ewspapen,C ape Tovrn
National BotânicalI nstitute, KiÌstenbosch,C âpeT owÌì
Btbliogtaphg 315
Dcpartmento f WaterA ffaiÍs, PÍetoria
Index 31',7 United Cricket BoaÌd of Souú Africa, Noíthlands,J ohannesbug
Bonâ,D uÍbân
Maccrcgor Museum,K imberley
National Gallery,C apeT owÌr
Mayibuye Centre,U niveÍsity of the WestemC ape
LoÍon Cominunicâtions
FÀirL âdy, CâpeT own
ÍÍêmct
lmvo
SAO ardê&n HoÍne
Introduction
IMRODUCTION
It was the Scottish missionary John B€nnie of Lovedale who first
recoÍdedú e Xho6a languagea nd pÍoduc€d úe fust wÌitten texts using
the Latin alphabet wiú úe letters c, q, x Íepresenting úe three click
soundsT. he clicks ând soundss ucha s 'Ìà' (pronouncedli ke úe Aftikaans
initial 'g'in 'goe-do' Ì the German' ch'in 'nach') restiÍy ro úe influenceo f
About Xhosq the Khoi and Sãtr lânguages spoken by the irìdigenous herdeÍs and
hunteNo f SouthemA fricâ with whom the vadousX hosa tribes had eârly
TlÌe word Xhosâ comesf tom the nâmeo f a legendaryc hieí. In âddiÍon to âtrdi ntimate conlâct-
EngÌish and Afrikâans, úere are nine ofEcial languagefú SouihA frica.
This iDfluence is also rcflected in some geogmphical names e.g.
These nine belong to úe Süb-SâharanB aÍÍu oÍ .lintür fâmily of
Keiskamma( gezÍ'$^ter). Anotlìer manifestâtrono f this influence is iÍ
Ìanguages,
lhe coexistenceo f slnonyms takenf rom the Khoi lânguage,f or example:
Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele aDdS wâti colstitute the Nguni gmup, Soutbem
ütyani / tngcs (grâss)
Sotho,P edi (Noíhem Sotho)a ndT swanâc oÍÌstituteth e Soúo gÍoüp.
tmu / ,lgwha (she€p)
Venda and Tsonga( Shângaân)d o not belong to eiúeÍ the Nguni or the
Sothog roüp. ,rrthâkâthi / igqwiÌa GoÍcereÍ)
In more rccent yeaff many Engüsh and AfÍikaâns words have been
Xhosâ, PresidentM andelâ's mother tongue. is the souúemmost of the
'xlúsúsed' , for example:
nine AfticarÌ languagesâ nd togetheÌ with Zulu, úe most widely spoken
lângüagein SouthA fÍica, is spokenb y appmxim-arelly8 peÍ cenro f South irikolo (school)
Afticans, dË vast nâjodry of whom live in úe Eastema ndW estea Cap€ ibhokisi íbox)
rúâtshini (machine)
'... history hâs pÍoved that the )Closa language is one of the Xhosâ is a heteÍogeneoüas nd complexl anguageo riginâting ftom a large
tenaciousÌye ndudnge Ìementso f )ftosa cúúrre for it hasm aintaineda andd ivenified gÍoup with many chiefs andc lans.U ntil the mid- 1950st he
firÍn fooúold on SouthemA frican soil, gowing like an evergreen, Xhosâ spoken by dtnllccalekâ ând drzaR.hârhabe (also known as
deep-rootedtÍ €e, ândh asn ânifestedi tsef asa dlnâmic, vibúnt, vhile dn,aNgqika or Tbhirvox hosa)' was Íegariled as standâd ülelary )ftosg
languâgeâ dâptâbleto , andd evelopingin hmmonyú tÌÌ, the changing - 'is (ho6âe sithethwan gâmaNgqikâo mgqüba'- but nowâdayst he
enviÌotrment in that il spmuts new woÍds and expressionsr o variations of úe diâlects oÍ the oúer groups fuÍher Dorú, namÚ
accommodâtnee w conc€pts andc útural itemsâ nd,t o aÌre veng reêier draMbo oÍ Fingoes, drdThembu, /mdBomvânâ, atn Mpondo and
extent, âhorbs and xhosaizesf oreign words and terms.T his i. did druMpondomise, arc also âcceptedi n úe wÍitten languâge.L ile all
oÌiginaly from tìe Khoisanl anguagesú, üs extendinga rd eDri€hing langüages, everyday colloquial Xhosâ differs fÍom that foÈnd in
íts vocâbuÌaÌya nds peechs ounds ysiem,â ndf or thep asth undredy ears 'auúmiÍative' grarDmarsS. imilady, languageu sag€ often diffen not oDÌy
hâs been doing [so] ftom Dutch and AlrjÌâaÌs and in úis centuÌy from rcgion to rcgion, but also from genention to genemlon, and you
esp€ciaÌÌy ftom English with which úe aÌnaxìosa camei nro close may encountert hesed ifferencesw hen conveÌsingw ith )ftosa speakeÌs.
contâctt hrought he schoolst hat werc estabüshebdy the missionãies
of variousd enominations,.-'
L,9itrtüi s used6 y Púl in his dictiondy s a vdioÌ ofadh. ln Xhos! irNtü denotesú e
lalguaee or aryúine ch@tdistic, e.s. .L€ss, cüston of thê aru Ntu d úe ardlsaNtü. ir
úe &s@ndmis of Níu, úêir ìêgên.laryp osflitor Patn,H .w (ed. ) Thê creater Dictiüarr md ,ruRlràÍhtlE çêrê nâmeda ner úe two brctheE. chìêf Gol€kô otrd
'ÁtuGel€k!
o/xnda, vol. 3. Alice Univeniry ol Fon Hare, 1989. cniefRhárhàhe. NgqlÌe Nas RhaÌn.h€'s g@dsn.
XHOSA INTRODUCTION
The book is divided into 1ó units which rangef Íom bâsìc lunctioN rìnd
lmguageu sagein úe initial units to moÍe vaÌied ândc ompÌexu sagein thc
lateru nits. The inclusion of materialI iom )ahosalì terâtuÌeâ ndm agaziúes
is aim€d at encouÉgingt uÌttìer readine.
Eâchü nit consistso f
I a list of tunctions
l-ó
'ì t-, t a dialogue( tucoko) E settingo ut the situationa nd tunctions
-r \
aba-\ ,L- l- è I a vocabulary( irigâÌnâ) box I wittr atl new words and expressions
I a 'How to ...'sec[on N which surnmariseasn de xoandsu ponú e
âl firnctionsd ealt with in the conve$aÍon
eqì
I a 'How it wo*s' section õl which expla;nst he ganmâtical stÌlctuÍes
'o;:)
ast hey occur ú úe coDversationas nde xeÍc1ses
q^L-
r.tsq,xat I a 'How to apply it' section E comprising a numbeÌ oi exercisest o
help you to evaluatey ouÌ pro$ess and youÌ âbfiry to apply the new
\ f",ì
amaRhaÉìáb;4t6; vocabulârya nd stÍucturesy ou bavel earnt.
ln úe initial uúts, useful idiomâtic expressionsa nd phÌâsesw hich clop
up in the conversationsa re highlighted in a 'Try ro memorise'b ox. You
o."t'Ê,*a{
will ündeÍstandú eir grammaticals tructurea s you pmgressú Ìough the
CultuÍal information and songs arc included thÌoughout the couÍse.
Trâ.nslâtionso fúe dialogueso f each unit ând the key to exercisesâ re
found âfter the last unit followed by a Xhosa-EngÌish vocabulary, ân
About this boolc Englishiftosâ vocabulary,â n index and a bibliogaphy.
Teachy oürselfxhosais ]JJ.ïendefodr all rvhoa rei nrerestedin leamingo neo f
The use of contrasting Erpefâces
the mos.w idely spokenA fÌicân ìanguâgeisr SourhA ftjca-
Oneo f the most sÌÌiking featureso f Xhosâ is the combinaíon of different
It is aimedâ . both SouthA fricans andü sitoÍs ro SourhA fricâ. anda i úose
paÍs of speechin to â 'single' woÍd. Thus úe eqúvalent of 'I at J€nny'
who are leâming Xhosaf tom s€Ìatcb as well as tÌìose who would Ìike to
is 'NdìrgíJe ry'- We hâve used contrâs.ing t)"efaces to identify úe
bÌush up their existing skills. As sì.!chi,t should benefÍ studenrsâ r high
componebtso f Xho6a words ând sentencesa si [ustÌated herc. In oÍder to
schoola nd univenity level, as well as thoseì nvoÌved in adút education.
establishth is usâget,h esem e usedi n â11c omponentosf UÍits l-3. In
wlrcÌever possible,t he communìcativea specro f rhe languageh as been Units 4 16 contÍastìngt ypefacesh âve only beenu sedi n ceÍain sections
emphâsisedw hich has hopefulÌy Ìesultedi n a coursew hich is usefuÌ ând wheÌe they âÌe useful in explâining grâmmar.E ngüsht ranslationsa re in
practicâl. Cuìtural backgÌoünda Íd infomarion forms an inregÌâÌ paÌt of the samet ypefacesa st he corÌespondinXg hosâ, ândt heÌefoÍea lmoí
âlwavss elf-exolânatorv.
lo INTRODUCÍION tl
XHOSA
Worth knowing before embarkíng on
K.y to tfiê ur. ôf brpefo.ê6: thís course
To fird elamplesc onsultth ei ndex.
BefoÍe you startt his couÌse,i t would be useful to make yourselvesa ware
Italici: of someo f the strilong chaÌacteÌisticso f the Xho6al ânguage.
I nounp ref*s
The lacing of uords
a object concoftls,s übjectc oncorìlso f \owel yeÍbs
a negatives ubjectc oncordsa ad final -i Oneo fúe most strildng differcncesb etween) oìosa andE ngüshs entence
constructionsi s úat Xïosa 'laces' woÍds togeiher whefe English has
a adjectival, relati,e, possessiyec o cords ands. ufit'-yo'
mostly sepaËtew ords:
I recenlp ast tente su,frxes' -ile' and' -e'
NdingrJêÍny
a -ni ìn instructíons
Ilm J€t'ry
a emphaticp ronounsp recededb y nâ-, ku-, ngâ- and followed
Ndiyavuyâ uku*wâzi
by -na
I locativep refircs aírds ffixes I an glad to know )oü (lit. ... yoü know)
a palatalisedf orms of Íhep assive,I ocative ard diminütiye All nouns consíst of tr/,o pdtts
I ideophonesa rÁ ìdioms.
Every noun in xhosa consistso f two paÍs, namely,a pr€fix and a íem.
The pÌefix indicates wheúer â noün is singulâr oÍ plurâl urìlike in
BoÌd:
Englishw heÊ, in mostc êsesú, e âddition of t' makesa noì.np lurâÌ. The
a slemso f Dounsv. erbs.a djectivesr.e latires
stam cânies th€ mêânfug and doe. nor châDge:
I interrogatiY€s
I po6s€ssive adjectiyes ümDtu one peÌson
abaúft peopÌe
I final -e of subjuncúive
I negative inÍixes Noun stems cân occü with diffeÍent prefixes thereby âltedng the
meaning:
I elementsw ith shortenede mphaticp ronounn s-, ku-, etc.
umrrtn one peÌson ímxho6â a Xrosa peÌson
Italicised bold: aáantu people ?1 axhosa Xhosap eople
a copullttives irintü dress,ì ârguage, i$Xho6â Xhosah nguâge
I twoj tr.ttaltoseil components. customo f aò?:Ntu
uÌuntu humankind
Underlining: ,íàxÍtu commonhuman rruxho6à'Xhosaness'
decency
I addede mphasis.
It is very impoÍtant to be abÌer o idendry úis division betweenp refix and
stema s nounsa Íe listed iÌr aLcdonaÌìeas ccordingt o their stem.
l2
INTRODUC]ION t3
The diuision oÍ noüns inÍo gÍoups oÍ cldsses Wotd otder
AnotheÌ characaerislic of Xhosa, âs wiih mosr of rhe indigenous Questionw ords( interrogativôut sualyf oÌory th€ verb (or predicate):
languagess pokens outho f úe Sahârâi,s the division of nouns into
different gÌoüps or noun clâss€s. The pÌefix of úe noun determinest he upruLAa| ân|r HoÌr arey ou?
(üt. You üve how?)
clâsst o which â pãÍiculaÌ nounb eÌongs-
üblah phi? WheÌe do you live?
No qtticle (lit. You üve where?)
UnÌike English, there is no definite (úe) oÍ indefinite (a /an) aÍicte in Similarly, descriptive rvords such âs adjecúves, nümeÍaÌs and
)Gosa. Context inúcâtes whethert he meaningo f, for example,' Ílantü' possessivesa,r eu suaÌlyp lâcedâ fter the Ìyord they descÌibe:
is 'rre persono' r 'd person'.
um\tttomtsha a youÍg persolì
No gender (ü1.â person) r,ro is young)
Lile English Out unlike Ìnâny oúer languagess uch âs FÍench,c erman, (lit- â person ,, is one)
Itúan, etc.) there aÌe no mascüÌine,f eninine or neutern ounsi n Xhosâ: my chiÌd (lit. child o/mtne)
(â / the gendeman) Another inteÍestingd iffeÍeíce betweenE ngüsha nd Xhosâ \ÍoÍd ordeÌ is
umÍ^ú
úat Xhosâ often staÍs â sentenceu /ith the pÌÊdicate( veÈ):
(â / the child)
Lible ;zulu naÌÌúlaüje. lìr. It is beâutitult he
The equiodtent of English pronouns are called Ìrcsth€r todây
subject concoÍds
Subjectc oncods (SC) are alwâys ârtachedi,. e. they never sraìd alone as Wols and abbrqíalíons
is the casew ith Bnglish pÍonouns:
E ,u"od"d
Ndil alaeKapa I stayi n Cap€ To\rn
"o,""n"
+ cÍ. / soeU nil ...
Verb endings ote the so.meÍ o" al, Wrsons,
singulí,t and ptuÍdt SC subiectconcod
(JL oDtêccl oncorc
NdiyaÌuya I âÍì glad AC odieclivoclo ncord
Siyaruyâ We aÌe glad RC rêlo,ivec oncord
úyawya You G.) aÌe glad s. singulor
rylyaruya You (p1.)a reg lad pl. plurol
Uyaruya He/she is glad odi. odiêclivê
Bâyavuyâ They are glad lit. lilêÍolly
Verb endingsÍ emain the samen ot onìy for aI pelsons,w bethers ingulaÍ
Prccêdingo n elemente, .S.'-no', meonss omethingm ustb e otloched
or plüal, büt aÌsoi n all tenses.
beÍoret.o llowingo n elemenet,. s. 'n+, meonsso mêltìinmgu sÍto llowO. n
Note: he aEd she= ú-. Note also â tone differuÍc€ distinsuishes êiliêÍ sìdeo f on slementê, .9. 'n9r, oeons somêÌhinmg uslp Íecêde
ü- = you (s.) ftoÍn ú- = he / she.
t4 INTRODUCTION t5
Pronunciation guide A wo*lnS Sutde to Xhosq pronurrclatlon
I
Ìt goesw ithout saying thât a wÌitteÍ guide ro pronunciationc ân at best bwelc
only give an appÍoximation of sounds. TheÍefore. to ,tune iì' to the
lânguaget ry, as much âs possible, to listen to moiheÍ-tongue speakeÍs bì|ntr Appt9.ximoí€ êound
(radio and television are excellent rcsouÍces) and to the casssttet hat
accomDaniets[i s book- c Enslish Íost lolo l"l..p)
. bpenl Enslish esg lvo)
Tone
[! o {closedl Enslish e(i)shr ivcki {week)
Xhosai s a tone lâDguâge.I ts rangeo f toÌes makes) flrcsa the b€auriíüI, I Enslish be nini lwhenal
musicaÌl ânguâget hât it is. The ÍIìÌ€e tonal distinctionsa Íe: o {openl Enslish lqw izolo (yeíeÍdoyl
o {closed) Eì slish own nsoku (now)
high'tone falling^ rone towtone. u English rule umntu (person)
ExampÌeso f somet onal pattemsa re:
high/ fa ing/low ékhâyà
Il Xhosa, two vowels neveÍ follow one anoúeÍ wiúin a word. Double
high/hiú/low ábánô peop!e
vowels oDly occur ú úe plürâl pÌeffx$, ao- aúd ii-:
high/low/low ízòlò
YesteÌday
high/low mólò helo oomamâ (motheÌs) iiveki (weeks)
low/hieh èwé Doublev oselsa içoo ccuri n somed emonírâtives:
This differencei n tone cân changet he meaningo f two words or elem€nts loo nto (thât úing) abaâb ântu( lhGe peoÍ,I€ overt berel
that are written identicallÍ e.g.:
In words adoptedf tom English ândA fÍikaans, vowels areo ften sepârated
üjani? How aÌe you? (s.) úìsú rÀrn írhàngá tÌìiú by a h)Then:
újani? How is he/she? ítútsÌ| intestine íúàngà pumpkin
laÌopleni (aeroplane) tqf,sì (ofEce)
Notwiústanding these differences in tone, leamerc should not allow
concem ÍegaÌdìng úe use of 'the coÍect tone' ro inlÌibit úeiÌ efioÍs io XlÌosa speaÌers teúd not to pÍonounce the fiÌÌal vowel of a lvoÍd,
speake, lp€cially ar a word ma) baved jfferenrÌo nep arremsin clifferenr especiallyw hen the following word statu wiú â vowel:
diâìectso fxhosa. As is úe casew ilh all languagest,h e contexaw iÌÌ, in Yiz'apha insteado f Yizê apha( Colneh ere)
most câsesh, eìp the listereÌ to underslândth e intendedm €aDins. UÌind' ithuba Ulindg iúuba! (Wait youÌ chaìce!)
Stress Enkos'kakhulu ËnÌos! kalúulu (Mâny úanls)
@
co'tso'lonús
The penuliiÌÌrates yllâbÌeo f most )ftosa woÍds is ÌerytheÍed (stressed): E
namhlanie todâv ibhotalo builer Singlec oDsoDansLin" ilaÍ Ìo Englishin prorìunciarjoanr e:
um lbo friend kulungile âlllight d f g
The penulaimates yllâbÌe in a sentences rructure is often lenstheneal h j Ì
beyondú e single word limit:
v
Üvetup hi?
WheÍe do yoü come iìom?
Hayi, ahÌkho Íto. No, therei s nothing bad.
i.e.I'm fine.
tó XHOSÂ INÌNODUCÌION 17
The Xhosac onsonântbs, k, p, t ar€ very inreresringF. ollowedb y .,ri, (o,4'$onantc ombinatbns wìrh no Engtish ëquívalenís
(âspirâted)th ey aÍe pronouncedâ s rhey arc in English,i .e. úar is
lJéosuict herea ren o Englishe quivalentso f the following consonant
accompâÍiedb y a puff of air:
.ombinâtionsi t might take you a little longer to masteÌt hem:
B,{âÌâl(Write!)
dl umdlalo (sane, play)
KÁâpl,al( Gow iúl)
hl hlala Git, stay (as in reside)) (ct Zulu 'Hluhluv€'oÌ
Prâpàâ!(Bea leÍl)
welsbL landudnoD. on't
TrâtÀa!(Takel)
üseÍ an 'í maldngi t sound
HoweveÍ,w hen úey aÌe not folowed by 'i', aiÌ is dÌawn iÍto the moürh_ lite'shl')
CompaÌel he following: ntl iagânzi (fish)
Dúala!(ftite!) Eâlâ( Count!) dy -dludpza (pour wiú rain)
Xlapra! (co with!) iÃâpâ( Capero wn) ry ukuea (to eao (ct 'cape'Aftilaans 'tjie')
Prâp,tâl @e alert!) ipâpa (poffidge) t3 iirÌbâpho (familiet ('t'is not aspnated)
T&a!&a!(Take!) ulâla (fatheÍ) ü iRhâwuti (Johannesbwg) (< Afiikaans 'soud' = sold:
ct Gauteng( Sotho);
In oÍder to asceÍain wh€iheÍ you arep roDouncirg;
sconish'loú')
borbll koÌkli porpli torth kÌ -IrelekÌele (shae < ikrele = swoÍd)
you might find it helptul, in the beginning,t o hold your hand in fmnt of hI as weÌì as È and the dicks ãe somds taken over ftom úe Klìoi and
your moüth when pronouncingt hesec onsonants.I fyon feel a pufiof aiÌ, Sanl anguages.
you wiÌ be pronouncingâ Ìì aspiratedc onsonanat nd vice veÍsa.
The clicks
m, when not followed by â vowel or úe consonantsb / v, is pronounced
as a syllable: The thl€e cltcks arer cpresentedb y the leíeÍs:
ú / !q /ntü (person) 3 syllables cqx
ú / !q / fu / ndi Gtudent,p upit) 4 syÌÌables 'WÏen Xhosab ecamea wútten languagein the 1800s,t heset hre€ letten
As prr repÍesentsa n âsphated' p' and is trot pronouncedt ike the Engtish werec hosent o reprcsentth e thÍee cÌick soundsb €cause the Ìetter k couÌd
'f,similaÌÌy,trrepÍese s aÌr aspiÌat€d 't' not English .th' as in .úing'.
Somec onsonanl conbinatíor$ simílü to English could be wÍitten kat
coüld be wntten kween
ng i|r_goma(s ong)p mnouncedli ke Englìsh 'ng'in s14g
could be {Ìilten aks
sh is_biúini (factory) 'ú'in Êbine
tsh ikìibbi (kitchen) 'fth' in ki!çLen C - ihe '..hat o píú' úck
E
ntsh inlbhonalanga( west) 'rch'in ileb
This is â dentâl úck prodücedb y pressitrgú e tip of the toÍgue against
try ulyana (son) 'ny' in ca4fon
úe üppêÌ hont t€eÍh wheÍe thesem e€t úe gum and Íapidly pu[ing it
ths !!Eu (pitch-blâck) 'ts' in i8
away with a 'Í.rr-íííir8' sound.
ta
INÌRODUCÍION t9
Q - t'ne'chompogne cor.,( poppíngl cllck Hcfc are somep hÌaseso Í woÍ& yoü'Ìl come acÍossi D this coulse, Take
This is a palâtâÌ dick pÍoducedb y pressingt he front paÍ of the tongu€ rDëciâln ote of the implosivesb , t, k, úe comotrânt combiútions úth
against the hârd palâte behind th€ fÌoDt Íeeth and rapidly pulling ir no English€q uivalents and the clicks:
awây with a ?rppiÍg' sound. SoboDâna! we'll seêe ath other!
X - the 'coaredng trorse' clid. Sckümnândrú udibânâ nawe It |9asn ice to meett o
Hambâk akuhle! Go i)elu
This is a lâteÌâl úck producedb y plâcing the side of the tongüe against Namlelekile e(âpa Welconet o Cape Town
the upp€r side taeth andÌ apidly putling it away with a 'clückhg' soünd. Siza kufil€ eKapak amsinyane We' aüve h CapeT orn shoftlr
Clicks may alsob e aspiratedi,. e. folowed by 'À'' Külungile AU ight
Molo taÍa!
cfr -cliacla (Íerupente) c -câcâ( be clear)
Ndisâtotoba I'nu,elÌ(I'n stl totunng aÌong)
qÀ -ql'ubâ (drive) q -qubhâ (swim)
Siphi isibhedlele? Wherc| the hospítal?
x -xoxa (discuss)
Abadú badlalau ndlalo Thep layersa rc plsjìnq a ganÉ
Rememberú ât 'ci' is not pronouncedl ike the English 'ch' rherefore Masihlale ngaphandle Izt's sit outsidet oday
'cracàa'= 'recupeüte'is not plonouncedl ike the Latin American dancel naÌnHanje
Non-âspiÌâted clicks can be prec€ded by úe following consonântsa nd Mhlawumbi, yonte imihlâ
consonanct ombinâtions: lntle le ntlânzi It's beautiful, thisf sh
InOei n0aÌohlazâ It\ beautillrl, spnnq
Tyala ezi zityalo ehlotyeni Plant thesep lants in su üner
Ikomityi eny€ hÌph€lâ
c um8ça u4çedo i4&Êrtho
Nanbi ikofu! Heíê's the cofree!
(help) (dooÍt (expenditue)
Ukrelekrele gqithâ
Uhlalae Rhawutini He |tuêsi n Johannêsburg
Ndingakuncedrsa?
q ugqirha i4gwelo-moya i4ggondo a4oL'4/rza z,ircede Hetp rounetJ
(doctoÌ) (aeroplane) (inteligence) (knock) Uchan' ucv,/eth!e
Chebai Ígca!
Ndigqibile!
Ekugqib€leni !
x igralabâ ülqâno r4goxo i4Baso
(shouldeÍ) (thnst) (discussion) (suppoÍt Qhuba kuQoboqotn Dirre to Keiskmmahoêk
Mssiqabuleu Ìxano Let'r quencht he thirst
+In thesen asâlisedv oicelesss ounds' k' is not pÌonounced.
Ndidaniwe
Practiset he q cticks by listening to úe frst few lines of the 'C#cÈS ong, Uxolo!
mâdef amousb y MiÌiam Mâkebâ. TÌy singìnga long:
'IAqirha lendleÌan guqoraqothwane,
Ebeqabel'e gqith' aphau qonAqoúwâne!'
IJKWMANA\ WIEROPIENI
Ukwazana kuri-eropleni* UJenny Oo! Nam ndihlâla
"Pinelândsl
UThandi Ndawoni kanye?
Gettinga cquainted UJenny Ngas.rFoÌ€sf DÌiye. Wenau Nâlâ ndawo,ii?
UTbandi Ngas.rPinelandsH igh School.
on an aeroDtane
Fot the durution oÍ the flieht Thúndi atul Jennj get to kno\e erch other
and agrce to make coníact again soon.
Umququzelelikazi Uxolo, /rarcne ndmdnenekazi. Qhobos[ant
dnabhânti. Sizâ kufika éKâpâ kamsinya.E nkosi
In this Unit yo4n ted'Íl' ho'u, to, kaklulü ngokukheÍhâ i-Rainbow Aítlines.
'rirt
Ndiyâthembâ soboìana kwakhona kamsinyâne!
I exchangeg reetings
Nan*el€krl€ eKapal Hâmbârt kakúle!
I welcomea group
UJenny Hâmbâ kâÌuhle Thandi. Bekuúnandi kariìulu
I ask how someoneis and Ìespondt o being askedh ow you aÌe ukuthetha nawe.
I introducey ourseffâ nd respondr o ân inrÍoducrion UThandi Sobonânas isi, bekumnâÍdi ukudibanâ nawel
I ask where someoneli ves and Íespondt o being askedw heÍe you live
I say goodbyet o â gÌoup and indivìduals
l'lgama (Vocabutary,
lncoko (Dialoguel 0rquqüzelelitâzi rtesüd6s
l!
@ lln-ai t"-"*qu *d J€nny Müray ffe sealedn exr to eacho ther or a eenll€nen (direcr ãddrcs)
flight ftom Port Elizâbeth.T he steward€ss gre€ts rhe passengen.
ndiyany, I d.gld
Umququzelelikâzi Molwenir an€n€ndtruin€n€kazi!
t!íli8hl
Nâmkelektk tuflight 301 ,yâ eKspâ! -kw ,o, (s.) (objecO
UThândi Molo sisi, üqiâdi naÌnbtanje?
UJenny Ewes isi,s ikhonâl üta&urzi to lws yaü
llThandi Oo! Üsithethâ kâL:uhle, rüftosâ, sisi! a rü youG .)
NdirgüThâtrdi ThâmsaDqâ. 0' -pbilr be *ell,.llve
UJenny NditgzJermy Munay. Núyâruya ul:ulwazi, rnl?
Thârìdi.W ena,u philâ 4iatri? 0 ont? siphil/é we m çe[
tlThandi Hai. siphiltipe nl,osi.N âm.n dilaÌTyâ ukut enÌosi lheÌ you
'ezi, ne too, I risô
Jenny.
rl. -hldt stay.live (alrc sn)
UJenny Üh|áh éIGpâ, ThânÍti?
cPiD€l.nls ú Pir€l .rs
UThandi Ewe, sihÌâlâ ePüelâÍds. ÍlhDo Íìawiknte? wh@ abdb mdy?
Ígbe- !ì*/hdPvi.iDiry
*Anglicjsed vesion of the much more picíuresqqe. úqÌ{elo-moyâ, (lit. wagoÍ 'lh.lhr nolo emse ne (lit. pqce)
(of úe) âit. qholBhe, frst€n (pì.)
!rubhúti (sa0 h€hs
i-tu