Where were you? Zulu Translation.

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Where were you?  It is u-ve-la-phi in Zulu.

At the same time, ve-la is to appear, like show yourself, uncle is calling you. Your mother might say she is going to show herself at the wake of someone who died.  Basically, she will go to the wake.
Ve-la is the verb.  The question u-ve-la-phi can also mean country of origin, which is common in Canada because it is a garden made up of global flowers.  I come from Africa and you?  I’m from here.  When I look people straight in the eye, they change the tune and say: my parents are from the Ukraine or Scotland.  There we go.  Canada is no man’s land, except First Nations like Ojibwe, Lakota, Cree, Anishinaabe, and many more.
Photo: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
Federal and provincial governments have programs that promote understanding in Canada.

Translation is not a science or nature.  We have the sun and moon, and the two never meet for brunch.  You were born so you will die one day. That’s the way it is, but translation!  It’s a different ball game.  We should also tread softly because we might offend somebody when we translate something from another language into our own space, English or French.  This blog’s space is isi-Zulu.

 Ve-la.  You say the first part like vest, the second as in lark.
U-ve-la-phi.  The first part is like ooze, the second like vest, the third like lark and the last like pig.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Velaphi.
A boy’s name meaning where were you, where have you been? Maybe a member of the family lived abroad for a long time and came back at the same time when the child was born.
Nicolai, u-ve-la-phi?
Nicolai, where have you been?
Ngi-ve-la e-City Hall.
I went to City Hall.
Christina, Nomvula, ni-ve-la-phi?
Christina, Nomvula, where were you?
Si-ve-la e-Calgary.
We went to Calgary.
Ba-ve-la e-bho-le-ni.
They went to a soccer match.
Ve-la si-ku-bo-ne.
Show yourself.  Let us see you.
Ve-la nga-pha.
Show yourself this way. Please come here.
Ba-zo-ve-la ku-sa-sa.
They will show themselves tomorrow.  They will come tomorrow.
Ngi-ve-la a-ma-pimples.
I have pimples.
U-mcu-lo o-ve-la e-Ghana.
Music from Ghana.
U-mcu-lo o-ve-la e-Cuba.
Music from Cuba.
U-mcu-lo wa-ma-African Americans.
African American music.

By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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