Buthelezi welcomes the new isiZulu-English dictionary
Education is the key to full liberation from poverty, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said at the launch of the new IsiZulu-English dictionary at Zimbali Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal.
The dictionary, published by the Oxford University Press, is the first bilingual edition in 40 years.
The dictionary has alphabetical entries and several examples of the usage of a word where necessary. It is particularly helpful for children who are multilingual.
"I believe that education is the key to the full liberation of South Africans from the bonds of ignorance that enslave us to poverty, underdevelopment and hopelessness.
"During our liberation struggle black South Africans marched under the banner: Liberation Now Education Later. I was surprised at the short-sightedness of this strategy as Mr Oliver Tambo, the head of the ANC's mission-in-exile, began his career as a maths and science teacher at St Peters."
He said liberation brought official recognition of our multilingual and multicutural society. Education benchmarks had not been met and few learners were prepared for higher learning.
"Many teachers are finding that in order to teach the curriculum, they must first teach the vocabulary used in the curriculum. Our teachers are becoming walking dictionaries.
"The dictionary we launch today is relevant and custom-made for this generation. It will increase pupils' confidence and empower them to learn independently as well as increasing the general ability to communicate."
Managing director of Oxford University Press Lieze Kotze said: "In a country with a linguistic diversity spanning 11 official languages, it is essential that learners are able to access languages other than their mother tongue at home, school, and later on in their careers.
"These dictionaries represent our commitment to enhancing cross-cultural understanding in South African classrooms and assisting in the teaching of indigenous languages in schools," Kotze said.
The Khanyisa Development trust was presented with R200 000 worth of dictionaries and study guides.
Bdoobs
Now taxi drivers won't have any excuse of being dumb. No more hanging a CD on your front mirror, hang a dictionary, I hope it has swear words, I'm tired of the same old "msunu kanyoko", its time taxi drivers keep up with my lil' nephew and learn words like "f*&k you"Report Abuse
BhutPapi
Now we want to talk to Whites in our home languages, that should come handy for them to start learning our languages.Report Abuse
Joseng
Phewww, Zulus, now you will know proper english, no offence. Good for you guys, hope the rank wont be full like before.Report Abuse
Uhuru
Kukulicious, ke ye mpsha ngwanešo. Tšela tša kgale it was not real dictionaries, but simple words translation.For example, the Sepedi dictionary would say, Thaba = mountain. The next thing someone who learns English using that kind of dictionary would say, I am very mountain, meaning that he is happy.
This new dictionary is a perfect one, it does not just translate but illustrate the usage of a word.
The Xhosa dictionary was launched a few years ago, it is also a perfect tool for those learning isiXhosa. It gives full explanation with perfect illustrations, unlike the old one which would just translate.
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Lwakhe
I will never speak english at work whites must have this Zulu dictionary infront of them even in the toilets lol.Report Abuse
Mahikeng
There was a Zulu on my stoep but now there's a Zulu on my dictionary. LOL!!!I hope these dictionary will help lot of Zulus not only to speak proper english per say but also to learn another second language because what I noticed in South Africa especially post 1994 most Nguni ppl especially Zulus & Xhosas are so reluctant either in speaking or learning other South African indeginous languages. But to my concern they expect you to speak their language as if we still living in the apartheid era where Afrikaners will force us to be taught in Afrikaans. Like perhaps you will be in PTA / JHB the next thing you talk to them in Setswana or Sepedi the next thing they say you "Buti a ngizwi, ngicel ukhulume isiZulu okanye u thethe isiXhosa because mina a ngikhulumi isiSotho" as if you are speaking Sesotho yourself.
But anyway big up to this dictionary hopefully other languages could come in board more especially Tsonga / Shangaan & Venda because most South Africans don't know how speak basic Tsonga / Shangaan & Venda me included of course.
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Joseng
Now zulus are gona read in english, no more DANGER-GEVAAR- and finaly for zulus "INGOZI" LOL DAMNReport Abuse
Bdoobs
@ Mahikeng, your example is one sided (biased). I grew up in Sebokeng, came there during my primary school years from KZN and I experienced what you stated, in reverse though, my point here is, not that its the ngunis or the non-ngunis, it just happens accros the board, if one uses both side of their brains... now, to argue your whole point, this is a English/Zulu dictionary not a Zulu/Sotho etc. so it won't solve your "problem".I always thought that by Nguni they were referring to type of cows until I got to work with the "non-nguni" who always seem conscious of whether one is or is not nguni, wasup with that, I grew up race conscious now that I'm older I have to be nguni/non-nguni conscious, if not one thing, its the other....
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