5. Initially,
focus on quality, not quantity. Then quantity!
Many students
want to learn lots of grammar and vocab before they start speaking with people,
and although I can’t stress the importance of learning, it is important that
learners do not try learn more at the cost of really knowing the basics well
and then using those basics, developing confidence and love for the spoken
language. Its like trying to learn about driving a car by reading more and more
manuals, so that you will know how to drive when you first get into a car. Ja
right! You need to get behind the wheel to learn how to drive. Same with a
language. One must also make sure that one is not avoiding one’s fear of
speaking with people and the inevitable sense of being out of one’s depth by
trying to outlearn one’s own fears. The
key is to balance mastering the levels you are at, whilst pushing into new
areas. Once you are comfortable with
entering and knowing how to politely exit conversations, then learn vocab vocab
vocab!
6. Learn the
basics of culture and show respect
Knowing the
basics of culture indicates an extra layer of depth to your language efforts
for indeed culture and language go hand in hand, such as the African handshake,
giving and receiving with two hands, indirect eye contact being a sign of
respect to an elder, greeting an elder first, seating oneself on arrival at
someone’s home. UBuntu Bridge have some excellent videos and basic culture tips, which can be
seen on the blog. Ultimately learning about a person’s
culture is about showing respect. Xhosa people are not into the formalities of
respect but more about authentic expressions of courtesy and respect.
7. Choose a
conversation partner wisely, if at all.
Some Xhosa people
just don’t seem to get how to speak to a beginner learner. They either speak to
quickly, misinterpret your questions or they try teach you
ludicrously big
and uncommon words and no amount of ‘coaching’ seems to help. Some folks,
however, are naturals and slow right down and explain in a simple fashion, and
just seem to ‘get’ what it is that you need. They are also ‘coachable’ in the
sense that if you ask them to explain again, or repeat in Xhosa, but slowly,
they do! Someone with patience and who gets joy from helping you is what you
need. Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if someone you regularly try to
practice with just seems to confuse you more. Find another practice partner.
Again, I believe with good materials you can practice by yourself or with
another learner and then go straight into ‘live’ conversations. UBuntu Bridge’s
materials are designed to let you interact with the Cd, learning all
appropriate vocab and even giving you sample conversations relating to grammar
learnt in each lesson, with a breakdown of each phrase in the conversation,
allowing you to learn and hear and repeat both person’s parts.
8. Keep
motivated ‐ Understand the Value of Learning Xhosa:
Learning Xhosa in
the New SA is not just, at least I hope, an exercise in getting govt tenders or
improving sales. It is also a form of social reconciliation, of promoting
intercultural harmony and respect, of acknowledging past injustices, some of
which involved a deliberate non‐mother tongue education (think Soweto uprising,
1976) with devastating short and long term consequences and a general
disregarding, disrespecting and de‐valuing of African culture and languages,
both by the European cultures and then the African cultures themselves. By
learning about an African culture and speaking in an African language, you are
re‐valuing it, you are giving an entire culture and its people respect and
acknowledgement. Mandela himself, in his first speech as president of SA, urged
the people of South Africa to learn each other’s languages after learning
Afrikaans and so much of Afrikaner history went so far to winning the respect,
trust and admiration of the Afrikaner leaders of the Apartheid regime. This
basic effort would contribute to the vision of South Africa he had laid
foundations for.
9. Volunteer in
the townships and go visit the rural villages
Xhosa people
predominantly are still living in conditions of poverty whether in rural
homelands or in informal urban settlements (townships). It is largely a
consequence of Colonialism (land invasion and acquisition and migrant labour)
and Apartheid that they live in the conditions they do and so those of us who
have benefitted from these same systems have some social duty at least to find
ways to contribute and give back from a place of privilege and wealth. One way
of giving is volunteering in the townships. Human resources are of much value,
whether you can bring a skill, or mentoring, or coaching, all contribute
greatly to the education and experience of the people. Meanwhile the immersion
and interaction in Xhosa will do wonders for your Xhosa skills. Even two hours
a week could bring much value to a Xhosa child/adult and yourself. Another
place to immerse oneself is the rural villages, where you can not only
experience the breathtaking scenery and charm of rural Xhosa life, but also
contribute to a form of sustainable income for local villagers who can make
valuable income from hosting guests, at minimal expense and great value to the
guests. Seek
established, but
not commercialised channels of connecting with locals to ensure authentic
experiences. For an authentic village experiences, visit: http://bulungulahomestay.wordpress.com/.
10. Know your goal and keep perspective:
Enjoy it and keep
realistic about your goals. Sometimes even the basics will improve and deepen
relationships and respect with yourself and Xhosa people. Most Xhosa people can
speak English and important business will either be done in English or a
translator will be needed as learning Xhosa to a point of professional fluency
will take a long time if learning as a busy working adult. Remember that some
days you will have flowing conversations, where your brain just tunes in, and
some days it will seem as though you are making no progress. Don’t give up,
remember that the effort to learn is greatly appreciated, and at the end of the
day, you don’t need language to show gratitude and respect to all peoples and
creatures. A final quote from Madiba: “Speak to a man in a language he
understands, that goes to his head. Speak to a man in his own language, that
goes to his heart.”
Craig Makhosi Charnock
a.k.a Quite a White Ou learnt a dialect of Xhosa in the rural villages of the
Mpondo and Xhosa people as an adult, before learning the more urban dialects as
a volunteer in a Cape Town township. He designs Xhosa learning materials,
teaches Xhosa courses and trains teachers through his company UBuntu Bridge.
See www dot learnxhosa dot co dot za.
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