  Xhosa: There
are 11 official languages in South Africa and Xhosa is known to be listed as one of those
languages. Approximately 18 percent of South Africa’s population speaks the language,
and when doing the mathematics, that makes it around 7.9 million people. Xhosa is marked
by a number of tongue-clicking sounds. Those that speak the language are usually involved
in an ethnic group known as the amaXhosa, and to them this language is known as isiXhosa.
An interesting fact is that the word “Xhosa” is derived from the Khoisan
language, which means “angry men”.
A majority of the languages in South Africa, which involve tongue-clicking, originate from
the Khoisan. Xhosa is known to fall under Bantu language, and is also a representative of
South-western’s Nguni family. With this fact, South Africa’s known to be
Xhosa’s native land, and especially the Eastern Cape - where the
language is spoken everywhere. The Zulu people of South Africa have their own name for the Xhosa people, and this is
KwaXhosa. When translated KwaXhosa simply means “land of Xhosa”. Visiting the Western Cape and
Johannesburg, one will also see many Xhosa people and hear them speak. Because Xhosa and
Zulu are both classed as a Bantu language, if these two classes were to communicate with
one another, often they will understand each other.
Xhosa has been grouped into quite a few dialects, and although the dialects are still
being debated, the accepted dialect groups are: Xhosa (original), Gcaleka, Bhaca, Ngqika,
Thembu, Mpondomise, Mfengu, Mpondo and Bomvana.
Xhosa is unusual, at the same time it is attractive. To many, the language is difficult to
learn mainly because the consonants are uncommon and also densely populated. The sounds
are aggressive, which consists of English sounds, 15 clicks, ejectives and also an
implosive. What learners battle with are the 15 clicks, and these are divided into 3
groups: the dental clicks - where the tongue presses against the person’s teeth. The
end result should be “tut-tut”, alveolar clicks – where the tongue presses
against the palate. The end result should be a sound resembling cork popping out of a
bottle, and then the lateral click - where the tongue presses against the side of the
mouth. The end result should be the sound one makes when calling a horse.
Learning to speak the language can be very challenging, but also very rewarding. The next
time you decide to travel to South Africa’s Eastern Cape don’t forget to stop an
amaXhosa and ask him/her to instruct a couple of phrases. There is no doubt that they will
be eager to teach you a thing or two and share their historical language with you. |
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