Hit Is A Bad Word

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Tik Tok and YouTube producers always demand that we 'hit' the subscribe button and notification bell.

Hit, is not a nice word, is it? It conjures up images of broken glass, kids crying, houses swept away by Hurricane Helene and Milton and wealthy men that order a hit on a rival. Can you imagine having so much money, that you pay somebody to kill a competitor? Money is definitely, the root of all evil.

Because hit, is not a nice word, I haven’t done a Zulu lesson for my students, although it is quite easy. To hit, is sha-ya in Zulu, same as shy. Always stress the last syllable, and lower your voice. Always. Once upon a time in all cultures, the bride used to be shy, all the way to the altar or wedding mat with the fire. Not anymore, she takes selfies, of herself. Sha-ya is a bad word for women beaten by their husbands. You don’t have to be married. Some boyfriends beat girlfriends, which is hard to understand. Why do they stay?

Sha-ya is a good word if you hit the bell, to tell the bus driver you are getting off, next stop. It’s a good word if you win the jackpot. Bad example. How many people win the Lotto or sweepstakes? Shaya is a good word if your college football team wins. “Siba-shayile” meaning we beat them. How about the American election in November?

ZULU

ENGLISH

Donald Trump, ngizoku-shaya.

Donald Trump, I will hit/defeat you.

Kamala Harris, ngizoku-shaya.

Kamala Harris, I will hit/defeat you.

JD Vance, ngizoku-shaya.

JD Vance, I will hit/defeat you.

Tim Walz, ngizoku-shaya.

Tim Walz, I will hit/defeat you.

Shaya insimbi yesikole.

Hit the school bell.

Shaya insimbi e-bhasini.

Hit the bell to get off the bus.

Remember. You say shaya like, he’s shy, she’s shy.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Blogger Without Borders

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