Glossary of Words
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Ndotshéni: Approximately "Indotsheni." "O" midway between "o" in "pot" and "o" in "born," "e" almost as "a" in "pane," "i" as "ee." Last vowel hardly sounded.
Nkosi Sikelélí Afrika: Means "God bless Africa," though in the book it is taken to mean "God save Africa." This lovely hymn is rapidly becoming accepted as the national anthem of the black people. At any mixed meeting therefore, where goodwill prevails, three such anthems are sung at the conclusion, "God save the King," "Die Stem Van Suid-Afrika," and "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika." This is co-operative, but very wearing. But such meetings are rare. Pronunciation, "Nkosi" almost as "Inkosi," "sikelele" with "k" as hard "g," and "e" approximately as in "bed," "iAfrika" with "a" as in "father," "i" as shortened "ee."
Odendaalsrúst: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written.
Pietermáritzburg: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written. A city founded by the Voortrekkers Piet Retief and Gert Maritz. Capital of the province of Natal.
Pretória: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written. A city named after the Voortrekker Pretorius. Capital of the Union of South Africa.
Siyáfa: "I" as in "ee," "a" as in "father." Means "we die."
Titihóya: A plover-like bird. The name is onomatopoetic.
Tíxo: I rejected the Zulu word for the Great Spirit as too long and difficult. This is the Xosa word. It is also difficult to pronounce, but may be pronounced "Teeko," the "o" being midway the "o" in "pot" and the "o" of "born."
Umfúndisi: The last "i" is hardly sounded. Pronounce approximately "oomfóondees," the "oo" being as in "book," and the "ees" as "eace" in the word "peace." Means "parson," but is also a title and used with respect.
Umnúmzana: Pronounced "oomnóomzaan." Means "sir."
Umzimkúlu: Pronounced by English-speaking people as "umzimkóoloo," but the "oo" is very long as in "coo."
Veld: An Afrikaans word now in fully English. Pronounced in both languages as "felt." Means open grass country. Or it may mean the grass itself, as when a farmer looks down at his feet and says, "this veld is poor."
Xósa: The pronunciation is difficult. English-speaking people pronounce it "Kosa," "o" midway between "o" in "pot" and "o" in "born," "a" almost as "u" in "much." A native tribe of the Eastern Cape.
Zúlu: The great tribe of Zululand, which overflowed into Natal and other parts. Both "u"s are long as in "coo."
Nkosi Sikelélí Afrika: Means "God bless Africa," though in the book it is taken to mean "God save Africa." This lovely hymn is rapidly becoming accepted as the national anthem of the black people. At any mixed meeting therefore, where goodwill prevails, three such anthems are sung at the conclusion, "God save the King," "Die Stem Van Suid-Afrika," and "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika." This is co-operative, but very wearing. But such meetings are rare. Pronunciation, "Nkosi" almost as "Inkosi," "sikelele" with "k" as hard "g," and "e" approximately as in "bed," "iAfrika" with "a" as in "father," "i" as shortened "ee."
Odendaalsrúst: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written.
Pietermáritzburg: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written. A city founded by the Voortrekkers Piet Retief and Gert Maritz. Capital of the province of Natal.
Pretória: Pronounced by English-speaking people as written. A city named after the Voortrekker Pretorius. Capital of the Union of South Africa.
Siyáfa: "I" as in "ee," "a" as in "father." Means "we die."
Titihóya: A plover-like bird. The name is onomatopoetic.
Tíxo: I rejected the Zulu word for the Great Spirit as too long and difficult. This is the Xosa word. It is also difficult to pronounce, but may be pronounced "Teeko," the "o" being midway the "o" in "pot" and the "o" of "born."
Umfúndisi: The last "i" is hardly sounded. Pronounce approximately "oomfóondees," the "oo" being as in "book," and the "ees" as "eace" in the word "peace." Means "parson," but is also a title and used with respect.
Umnúmzana: Pronounced "oomnóomzaan." Means "sir."
Umzimkúlu: Pronounced by English-speaking people as "umzimkóoloo," but the "oo" is very long as in "coo."
Veld: An Afrikaans word now in fully English. Pronounced in both languages as "felt." Means open grass country. Or it may mean the grass itself, as when a farmer looks down at his feet and says, "this veld is poor."
Xósa: The pronunciation is difficult. English-speaking people pronounce it "Kosa," "o" midway between "o" in "pot" and "o" in "born," "a" almost as "u" in "much." A native tribe of the Eastern Cape.
Zúlu: The great tribe of Zululand, which overflowed into Natal and other parts. Both "u"s are long as in "coo."
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