Zulu is a language that takes time to master, and patience must be exercised when teaching a very young child how to speak this local language. However, mastery of the Zulu language should not be rushed, especially for English or Afrikaans first-language speakers who also wish to grasp this traditional language.
Zulu is characterised by its melodic clicks and a diverse range of vowel and consonant sounds.
In Zulu, sounds represent letters.
Therefore, the best way to learn the Zulu language is to listen to the language being spoken by native speakers. Listening to Zulu words being properly articulated with the clicks, intonations, and accompanying body language would be one of the best ways to learn this official South African language.
Just like Zulu beads are threaded into a Zulu necklace, one by one, aspiring IsiZulu speakers should learn the language one word at a time or one sound at a time.
How to Learn IsiZulu with Zulu Oral Tradition?
Indlela Ibuza kwabaphambili - The road asks for directions from those who travelled it.
Zulu Proverb
Per the above Zulu proverb, those who have already travelled the learning IsiZulu road and acquired the much-needed language skills are the best people to pass down their knowledge of the language to others.
people are native Zulu speakers.
A further 15,7 million people speak it as a second language, so enthusiastic young Zulu speakers can learn the language as well.
Zulu-speaking people preserve their culture by sharing Zulu myths and folktale stories. Thanks to elderly people sharing Zulu myths and Zulu folklore with younger generations, little children can learn the language and gain a love for the language and culture.
It is usually the grandmother who shares the various Zulu folktales, fascinating the children with these tales and making them more eager to learn the language. Zulu is a language intertwined with the rich culture and traditions of the Zulu people and when one chooses to learn such a traditional language, they are learning all about traditions and cultures that accompany the language too.
For the Zulu-speaking people, even the IsiZulu names that they choose for their children a have symbolic meaning. Names of children and animals are a testament to circumstances surrounding the birth of a child or the adoption of an animal and serves as lifelong praise and encouragement for the child and animal.
Yes, IsiZulu is an exciting language-one that is as interesting as the stories passed down from one person to the next and from one child to the next. When children learn the language by listening to and retelling Zulu tales, they also learn valuable lessons.
The story of The Cheetah and The Lazy Hunter
This Zulu folktale teaches children about the essence of hard work and respect and why laziness should be avoided at all costs.
Traditional Zulu Stories and How They Help Language Learning
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the next best time is now.
Zulu Proverb
According to the Zulu proverb, it's best to take action at once and to start teaching your child this amazing South African official language. It's never too late to teach a child a new language and Zulu is no exception. However, you can also start teaching the Zulu language to your child when he or she is in high school. There is no time limit as to when you can start learning a new language. Adults interested in the IsiZulu language should also take online Zulu lessons.
In traditional Zulu homes, while narrating stories to their grandchildren, grandparents are not just teaching children the etiquette of the language, the sound of the language, but also the life lessons according to which children can live by.
The Zulu tale of the Lost Beads tells of how cruelty never pays off. Another Zulu folktale story that speaks about Why the Cheetahs Cheeks are Stained, tells the tale of how the hunter's intention is never good. The Stories of Where Stories Come From ends with the line, "Kwesuka sukela" and gives us an idea of where stories came from and how they came to be.
In stories, children find comfort and they learn new words that will help them to speak the Zulu language better. Aside from being equipped with the necessary language skills, they also acquire essential life skills. Thus, when teaching young children Zulu, it is essential to tell them stories so that they can gain new words to add to their vocabulary bank, but also so that they can understand how exciting the culture of the Zulu people really is.
The word, "Zulu" in itself tells a story. The word, "Zulu" means sky and it was the name of the ancestor who founded the Zulu line back in 1960. Imagine learning a language that has a name that tells a story.
In Zulu, oral tradition from the past is very rich, however, modern Zulu publications are slowly growing. With Nal' ibali adding Zulu stories and the translation of these stories in English, it's good to know that parents can share more relevant IsiZulu stories with their children and teach them the language using modern stories that are up to date. Parents need to remember that the more stories that the expose their children to in the language, the more vocabulary words the children will be able to grasp in the language. With IsiZulu stories, you can also make learning the language that much more fun, and you can increase the fun by including IsiZulu songs into the language learning mix as well.
Learn IsiZulu Clicks with Zulu Traditional Songs
One who perserveres has no misfortune.
Zulu proverb
The secret to teaching the Zulu language to a novice is to keep on persevering in your attempt. Perserverance may include finding ways to make the language learning journey fun for the child. Perhaps consider teaching the language through song. From Zulu movement songs to Zulu songs intended to label the respective body parts, all types of song work well when teaching children or IsiZulu students' new words in the language. While newer songs are great, taking children or IsiZulu students on a trip that revisits traditional songs is always a good idea.
Allow your children or students to immerse themselves fully in the lyrics of traditional songs initially sung by older people than passed down to the newer generation. While enjoying and lip-syncing the lyrics of a famous traditional IsiZulu songs, a child is learning the rules and conventions of the language without even knowing it.
Songs, especially the more date traditional tunes, have the ability to story tell as well. They may speak about legends or retell stories from the past in catchy ways. Songs also have the incredible power of teaching morals too. More of the tradition IsiZulu songs are capable of sharing life lessons with IsiZulu students.
In containing subtle nuances of language and traditional Zulu culture, songs can teach children language skills that goes beyond that which is taught in the IsiZulu classroom setting or during Zulu lessons. While having fun and singing along to Zulu tunes, beginner Zulu learners are repeating and mastering the clicks and pronunciation required for this language. Knowing the lyrics too means knowing more vocabulary words. Zulu, like any other language, is best learnt by focusing on expanding the vocabulary in the language first.
Taking Zulu Lessons in South Africa
We have provided some tips as to how to start learning Zulu, however, another suggestion we can provide is that of taking Zulu lessons with one of our Superprof IsiZulu native speaking tutors. Zulu is a fascinating language with an even more fascinating history. From revisiting stories of Shaka Zulu and the Zulu empire, learning this language can be an exciting journey.
In fact, saying the word, "fascinating" itself can be fascinating in Zulu as there are so many ways to say this adjective.
- nqobayo ngobuhle
- heyhayo
- ethakazelisayo
- oluhehayo
The word, "fascinate", on the other hand, can be said as:
- okuthakazelisayo
Learning IsiZulu can surely be an intriguing experience and to ensure that beginner learners remain intrigued, a fantastic IsiZulu tutor becomes mandatory. With the help of a rather passionate Zulu tutor, you will be able to speak the language fluently and effortlessly. Plus, you will get to converse in the language regularly with a native Zulu tutor. It is through conversation that you will learn essential skills such as pronunciation, grammar, and the correct words to use. You can choose whether you wish to take online or in-person classes with one of our amazing IsiZulu tutors and from there on, the Superprof Zulu tutor will guide your learning process encouraging you to utilise applications, YouTube videos, songs and literature to learn the language better.
The best way to make the most of your IsiZulu learning ride is to make sure you enjoy the journey and the experience with the help of your Superprof IsiZulu tutor. Get one free Zulu lesson with one of our highly acclaimed Zulu tutors.
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