Cry, the Beloved Country

List of African WordsA to Mgo to N to Z

A to J

A

Afrikaans    The language of the Afrikaner, a much simplified and beautiful version of the language of Holland, though it is held in contempt by some ignorant English-speaking South Africans, and Indeed by some Hollanders. Afrikaans and English are the two official languages of the Union of South Africa.
Afrikaner    ("A" as in "father.")     The name now used for the descendants of the Boers. Some large-minded Afrikaners claim that it has a wider connotation, and means white South Africans, but many Afrikaans-speaking and English-speaking South Africans would object to this extension of meaning. It is used here in its usually accepted meaning.

I

Ingeli  [InGaylee]

Inkosana  [inkosaan]
    ( "o" midway between "o" in "pot" and "o" in "born." the second "a" is hardly sounded.)

    Means "little chief," or "little master."


Inkosi  [Inkos]
    (final "i" is hardly sounded)

    Means "chief" or "master."

Inkosikazi  [inkosigaaz]
    (The second "k" isd like hard "g" and the final "i" is hardly sounded)

    Means "mistress"

Ixopo  [Ickopo]
    ("o" as in "hole")

    The name of a village. Its Xulu pronunciation is difficult, and would be considered affected in English speech.

J

Johannesburg
    (pronounced in English as it is written)

    An Afrikaans word. It is the center of the gold-mining industry



K to M

K

Kafferboetie [Kafferbooty]    (Pronounce "boetie" by trying to rhyme with "sooty")    A term of contempt originally used to describe those who fraternized with African natives, but now used to descirbe any work for the welfare of the non-European. Means literally "little borther of the kaffir." Afrikaans.
Kloof         "ravine" or even a valley if the sides are steep. But it wound not be used of a great valley like the Umzikulu.Kraal  [crawl]    Am enclosure for cattle, where they come for milking, or where in the early days they were kept for protection. But it may also mean a number of huts together, under the rule of the head of the family, who is of course subject to the chief.
Kumalo  [Kumaaloo]    ("U" as "oo" as in "book," "a" as in "father." The "o" midway between "o" in "pot" and "o" in "born.")Family name of the protagonist Stephen Kumalo

L

Lithebe [ditebe]
    ("e" approximately as in "bed")

    Last name of one of the characters

M

Msimangu [umseeamangu]
    (Pronounced with the lips initially closed. Therefore no vowel precedes the "M.")

    Last name of Theophilus Msimangu