| Languages
of South Africa |
| A
Multi-lingual Nation |
| Back to the Main Page |
|
|
|
| South
Africa has 11 National Languages: |
Afrikaans
|
English
|
Ndebele
|
Pedi
|
Sotho
|
Swazi
|
Tsonga
|
Tswana
|
Venda
|
Xhosa
|
Zulu
|
| Some Commonly used
South
African words and phrases |
|
| Just now - Sometime soon, shortly |
play play - pretend |
| Now now - sooner than just now!! |
Bakkie - pick up truck |
| Lift - elevator |
Flat - apartment |
| Boot - trunk of a car |
Robot - traffic lights |
| Mate - pal or buddy |
Bundu - bushveld |
| Howzit - hello, a greeting |
Kloof - ravine |
| Koppie - rocky hill |
Braai - bar-b-que |
 |
South Africa is a multi-lingual nation and most of
South Africans speak at least two different languages. Zulu, Xhosa,
Afrikaans and English are the languages that are spoken by most people,
and English is the most widely understood of all the languages. And
then there is
Funigalore - a combination of the different languages which makes it
easier
for some people of differing cultural backgrounds, to communicate with
one another. The literacy rate in South Africa for the total population is just under 82%. By definition, the literacy of South African means that people aged fifteen and over, is able to read and write. Information from : http://allsands.com/Travel/languagessouth_apq_gn.htm |
| Useful Zulu words and
phrases |
|
| Ngiyabonga - I thank you |
Siyabonga - We thank you |
| Ngicela... - can I please have... |
Ngifuna... - I'm looking for... |
| Ngiphuma e-(England) - I'm from (England) |
Ngilambile - I'm hungry |
| Good, fine - Kuhle |
Lalela - listen |
| Amanzi - water |
How much? - Malini? |
| How are you? - Unjani? Ninjani? (Plural) |
I am fine. And you? - Ngiya phila. Wena? |
| Goodbye (go well) - Hamba Kahle |
Goodbye (stay well) - Sala Kahle |
| Yes - Yebo |
No - Cha |
| Useful Xhosa words
and
phrases |
|
| How are you? - Kunjani? |
I am fine. And you? - Ndiphilile. Nawe? |
| Goodbye (go well) - Hamba kakuhle |
Goodbye (stay well) - Sala kakuhle |
| Yes - Ewe |
No - Hayi |
| Please - Nceda |
Thank you - Enkosi |
| Good, fine - Kulungile |
How much? - Yimalini? |
| Information from: http://www.sa-venues.com/sa_languages_and_culture.htm |