Listen in Zulu

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As the title indicates, this blog was inspired by cinema, but graduated to general commentary about book reviews, politics, immigration, being broke, gender, everything. 

It also has lessons for those interested in the language isi-Zulu. Its umbilical cord is buried in the mountains, valleys, waterfalls and rivers of  KwaZulu, in South Africa. 

Today’s lesson is about listening, something that is in short supply at home, workplace and corridors of government.

Listen is la-le-la in Zulu. You say the first part like lull, the second like lamb and the last like lull.

La-le-la. Listen, is a song Beyonce sang in Dreamgirls, directed by Bill Condon. Deena, her character recorded it in the studio, while Curtis (Jamie Foxx), her lover and selfish manager looked on. Quite a sad song actually, how people live together but are clueless about each other. 

ENGLISH

ZULU

All of you listen.

Lalelani.

Lalelani, a boy’s name. There’s a reason why they gave the baby that name. Maybe somebody in the family was not listening to reason.

Lalelani. Igama lengane yomfana.

Listen.

Lalela.

Speak Sophie. I’m listening.

Khuluma Sophie, ngilalele.

Speak Franco. I’m listening.

Khuluma Franco, ngilalele.

Listen Zakithi. The teacher is talking.

Lalela Zakithi. Uthisha uyakhuluma.

Listen Bromley. Mother is talking to you.

Lalela Bromley. Umama ukhuluma nawe.

Let’s listen. Pastor is preaching.

Asilalele umfundisi uyashumayela.

They listen to internet lies.

Balalela amanga emoyeni.

 

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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