Vocabulary
Xitsonga, like many other African languages, have been influenced by various European colonial languages. Xitsonga includes words borrowed from English, Afrikaans, and Portuguese. Also, because of the influence of other more dominant neighbouring languages, Xitsonga has taken some words, especially click words, from isiZulu actually its (Nguni/ngoni).
Words Borrowed from English
- Thelevhixini (Mavonakule) – television
- Rhediyo (Xiyanimoya) – Radio
- Xitulu – chair (Stool)
- Wachi – watch (to tell time)
- Movha – car (automobil)
- Sokisi – socks
- Nghilazi – glass
- Tliloko – clock
- Masipala – municipal (Plural > vamasipala)
- Makhiya/swikhiya – keys
Words Borrowed from Afrikaans
- lekere – sweets (lekkers)
- fasitere – window (venster)
- lepula – spoon (lepel)
- kereke – church (kerk)
- buruku – trousers (broek)
- domu – idiot (dom)
- tafula – table (tafel)
- xipuku – ghost (spook)
Words Borrowed from isiZulu:
- riqingho – phone
- ku qonda – to head towards (Not standard = ku kongoma)
- ku gcina – to end (Not standard = ku hetelela)
- ku zama – to try (Not standard = ku ringeta)
Read more about this topic: Tsonga Language
Famous quotes containing the word vocabulary:
“One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.”
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)
“[T]here is no breaking out of the intentional vocabulary by explaining its members in other terms.”
—Willard Van Orman Quine (b. 1908)
“A new talker will often call her caregiver “mommy,” which makes parents worry that the child is confused about who is who. She isn’t. This is a case of limited vocabulary rather than mixed-up identities. When a child has only one word for the female person who takes care of her, calling both of them “mommy” is understandable.”
—Amy Laura Dombro (20th century)