Name Translation List

[Karen-inVA (Moderator)]

With many thanks to Rexon, Siphiwe and Marco, WE now have a list of most of the different things that WE see on the Drives. These are translated from the Shangaan/Zulu/Afrikaans Languages.

Please note that this is a work in progress. WE hope to include how they are pronounced as well as any Safari Slang terms in the near future.


Other Terms Used

Male = nuna/madoda
Female = nsati/mfasi
Cub = n’wana/mapipana
Predator's Kill = nyama ya swi vandanza
Dead animal found/not from predator = ku ngari hi xivandzana
Animal laying down = etlela hansi/lala phasi
Animal moving = famba famba /jika jika
You snooze you lose(from Rex) = walala wa sala
Waterhole = qivi
Dam = damu



MAMMALS

Aardvark = xiwabana
African Wild Cat = xikatsi
Baboon = mfenhe
Buffalo = nyarhi/nyathi
Bushbaby = nwana kahina
Bushbuck = mbavala
Caracal = nandzana
Cheetah = xikakaka
Civet = mfungwe
Duiker = mhunti
Eland(even tho not seen here) = mhofu
Elephant = ndlopfu
Genet = nsimba
Giraffe = nhutlwa
Hippo = pfuvu
Honey Badger = xinzele
Hyaena = mhisi
Impala = mhala
Jackal(blacked back) = mangawana
Jackal(side striped) = mhungubya
Kudu = nhongo
Lion = ngala
Leopard = yingwe
Mongoose(white tailed) = tlholodwa
Mongoose(dwarf) = matsikitsorho
Mongoose(banded) = nkala
Mongoose(slender) = mangovo
Nyala = nyala
Ostrich = yinca
Pangolin = qwarhi
Porcupine = jelwana
Reedbuck = nhlangu
Rhino(Black) = mhelembe
Rhino(White) = mkhumbi
Scrub Hare = mpfundla
Scrub Hare Baby =
Serval = ndloti
Squirrel = macindana
Steenbok = xipene
Vervet monkey = nkawu
Warthog = honci
Waterbuck = pivha
Wild Dog = mahlolwa
Wildebeest = hongonyi
Zebra = mangwa



Reptiles

Crocodile = ngwenya
Monitor Lizard(rock) = ngwahle
Monitor Lizard(water) = ngwehle
Terrapin = xigamba
Tortoise(leopard) = futsu



SNAKES

Black Mamba = mamba
Blind Snake = rikhurhi
Boomslang =
Cobras = mfezi
Puff Adder = mbuyuya
Pythons = nhlarhu
Vine Snake =



BIRDS

Buzzard = ngama
Dove =
Duck = dada
Eagles = ngama
Falcon =
Goose = dada
Hawks =
Herons =
Owls = xikhovha
Pigeon = ngwamba
Spoonbill = ngumba
Storks = ngumba
Vulture = koti
Woodpecker = gogoswana

[ShirleyC]

This is very interesting, Karen! Great idea! Now, if only I knew how to pronounce these words....heehee

[barbw]

Thanks Karen this is awesome. Great idea!!! Thanks to Rexon, Siphewe and Marco!!!

[Bluebird]

Thank you so much for this listing, KareninVA.
Look forward to the phonetic breakdown.
Thank you very much Rexon, Siphiwe, and Marco too.
BB

[Lisa]

this is so great! I am practising right now!
thanks you guys this is really a treat.

[Stacy]

Awesome! Now I will try twisting my tongue around these. I should have this list open on drives and try to translate as I go.

[Kay]

Thanks for this listing. I've been trying to find translations for a few months and haven't succeeded. I think I remember Rexon saying that Karula means relaxed in Shangaan. Can we find out if that is correct? And does anyone know where Koda originates from? Thanks everyone!

[Ann]

This is great! Just what I have asked for months ago when I started writing a running commentary of the drives each day for the KITN forum. I am glad that they plan to add to the list also. Now in addition to the other things we have been learning on the drives, we can learn some of the language as well!

[Mswisi]

Thanks a lot for this Name Translation List.It's great!
Thank you Simpiwe, Rexon and Marco! Asante sana as you say in Kiswahili. ;o)

It's so interesting to compare Kiswahili and Shangaan and there are so many similarities, like ndlopfu (Shangaan) - ndovu (Kiswahili) or -lala seems to have the same meaning in Kiswahili and in Shangaan - to sleep/sleeping.
So one can see the relation to the origin of the Bantu language.

I'm really looking forward learning more words ;o).

Cheers,
Mswisi

[Joyce]

What a great idea, Karen. Thanks to WE for posting this work in progress!

[Stacy]

Ok I have been back to look at this list a few times....just NOW noticing "Photo AND table by Pieter Pretorius". lol Well done Pieter you are a master of many arts.

[Karen-inVA (Moderator)]

bump!

[Karen-inVA (Moderator)]

Hi Greyrose,
You are very welcome. :o)
Hopefully, it can be updated with a few more new additions soon.
Yea, I loved it when Rex would say that. He always said "Walala Wa sala" and I shared one day what we call that here in the South and he started saying "you snooze.. ya lose". I get tickled hearing that too..lol