Worms in Zulu

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Peeling corn to check for worms.

Worm is impethu in Zulu.

Guess what? You pronounce it as impetus, without the ‘s’ of course. Great news for the Zulu language class.

Corn, which is called mielies in Africa, is in season. You see shoppers at farmers’ markets peeling off leaves to check for worms. Certain stores no longer allow it. Buy corn, check for worms at home.

Kids love climbing peach trees. They take a bite at a ripe peach. Surprise! It is full of worms. Some workers like to ‘worm’ themselves into managers’ grace, something that has ruined a lot of employees, but is not discussed. English has another proverb: a can of worms.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump planted a worm that the election was stolen. It has multiplied and states governed by the Republican Party continue to pass laws that make it harder to vote.

ZULU

ENGLISH

Ibolile. Ine-zimpethu.

It’s rotten. It has worms.

Impethu i-bulale umbila.

Worms killed the crop.

Angimthandi. Uyimpethu.

I don’t like him/her. She/He is a worm (bad influence).

Impethu idla izihlahla.

Worms eat some trees.

U-Lisa wafaka impethu ekhaya.

Lisa introduced worms at home (started trouble).

U-Peter wafaka impethu ekhaya.

Peter introduced worms at home (started trouble).

Bayaphithizela, njenge zimpethu.

They are milling about like worms.

Izimpethu u-kudla kwamanye amazwe.

Worms are a delicacy in other countries.


This is another ‘written podcast’ by Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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