Zulu

Zulu (isiZulu)

Zulu is one of the official languages of South Africa and is a
member of the Bantu/Nguni family of languages. It is spoken by about
9 million people mainly in Zululand and northern Natal in South Africa
and also in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland.

During the early 19th century Christian missionaries, including J
W Colenso, S B Stone, H Callaway and Lewis Grant devised a way to
write Zulu. The first Zulu Christian booklet Incwadi Yokuqala
Yabafundayo
was written by Newton Adams, George Newton and Aldin
Grout between 1837-8 and explained the spelling of Zulu words and the
history of the Old Testament. The first Zulu version of the bible was
produced between 1845-1883 and in 1859 L. Grout published the first Zulu
grammar book.

Zulu pronunciation

Zulu pronunciation

Sample text in Zulu

Bonke abantu bazalwa bekhululekile belingana ngesithunzi nangamalungelo. Bahlanganiswe
wumcabango nangunembeza futhi kufanele baphathane ngomoya wobunye.

A recording of this text by Cynthia Nozwelo

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They
are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another
in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

  • Categoria dell'articolo:Lingue
  • Tempo di lettura:2 minuti di lettura