Getting Lost in Zulu

GPS.  There was great excitement when GPS, which was a stand-alone device at the time, hit the market.  It promised that drivers would not get lost.  Just follow GPS.   Guess what?  Drivers still got lost.

Du-ka, is losing your way in Zulu.  Ngi-du-ki-le.  I’m lost, something we overhear on the street, friends on their phones, warning friends who are waiting somewhere.  Boy says prove you love me by sending pics with no clothes on.  Girl does.  Boy presses the send button to the world.  It is leading astray, ba-ya-du-ki-sa-na.

In the olden days in Africa getting lost was no problem.  You detoured to the next house and explained your situation. You were offered food and a place to sleep because visitors were treated like royalty.  That was humanity.
Du-ka.  The first part is pronounced like do and the second one like Kalinga.

Ba-du-ki-le. The first part is pronounced like Bali, but with a soft -b-, the second like do, the third like Kilimanjaro and the last like leg.

ZULU	ENGLISH
Ha-mba- e-mi-ni. U-zo-du-ka e-bu-su-ku.	Leave during the day. You will get lost at night.
Si-zo-du-ka e-bu-su-ku.	We will get lost at night.
Ni-zo-du-ka e-bu-su-ku.	You will get lost at night.
U-du-ki-le u-Kalyna.	Kalyna got lost.
U-du-ki-le u-Danilo.	Danilo got lost.
Ba-du-ki-le.	They got lost.
Ngi-du-ki-le.	I got lost.
Si-du-ki-le.  I-phi i-Paris Metro?	We are lost. Where is the Paris Metro?
Si-du-ki-le. U-phi u-Big Ben?	We are lost.  Where is Big Ben?
Ba-ya-du-ki-sa-na.	They lead each other astray. They give each other bad advice.
U-ya-ngi-du-ki-sa.	You are leading me astray.  You give me bad advice.

By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.