One of the most common questions that I have been asked is, “Are you able to communicate/talk with the people in the clinics.”  The answer is Yes!  Thanks to our interpreters (most of them are teenagers) and our rudimentary understanding of the local language and the Zulu’s rudimentary understanding (the teenagers know it best) of English.  We definitely are able to communicate and when we aren’t able a smile goes a long way. 

The Languages of South Africa:

South Afrca has 11 official languages as recognized by the South African Constitution, although much more languages are spoken.

English is a common language that is widely spoken and used in organizations as a communication language between people who speak other languages. Its one of the official languages and also an official language of all of the 9 provinces of South Africa.

Afrikaans is a language that originated from the Dutch who settled in South Africa in the 17 th Century. It is spoken by whites, coloured people (people of mixed race) and some black people.

isiXhosa (commonly known as Xhosa) is an african language (sub group Nguni language) spoken by some 8 million South Africans mainly in the Eastern and Southern parts of South Africa use it as their home language.

isiZulu (commonly known as Zulu) is an african language (sub group Nguni language) spoken by some 9 million South Africans mainly in the North Eastern parts of South Africa use it as their home language. Similar to Xhosa.

Other official african languages are isiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Most black South Africans can speak a few of these official languages. White and coloured South Africans can mainly speak only English and Afrikaans. (courtesy of wiki answers)

Since I am in the Northeastern region called the Kwa-Zulu Natal, I will be using the isiZulu or Zulu language.  The Zulu langugage is a beautiful language that has a lot of sounds that we are not used to making in English.  There are over 40 click combinations that are used.  To say hello you would say “Sawubona”.    Follow this link to find out more.

Now, for my favorite part – practicing!  I have found a good online resources – it’s not perfect and it could never replace the real experience of talking with my Zulu friends – it gives me an idea.  If you follow this link to isiZulu.net and click on the red icons next to the words, you will get to hear some authentic Zulu words.  Defintely check out these words that have clicks in them:  isigcobo, ukuxhasa, xoxa, incwancwa, and ingqondo.