Ulimi oluyizingathekiso olutholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu

Abstract

Ulimi olwejwayelekile oluyizingathekiso ezitholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu lubonakala ngokuthi kufaniswe noma kubizwe into ngenye, ngaphandle kokusebenzisa izakhi zesifaniso. Ulimi oluyizingathekiso olutholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu lukhombisa ubuciko babaqambi bezithakazelo lapho babeqhathanisa izinto ezimbili ezingafaniyo empeleni, indlela abaziqhathanisa ngayo uma usubhekisisa kuyabonakala loku kufana abakhuluma ngakho. Lukhona ucwaningo oselwenziwe oluveza ukuthi kunolimi oluyizingathekiso olusetshenziswayo ezithakazelweni zesiZulu. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukubheka lugxile olimini oluyizingathekiso olutholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu. Inkinga okuyiyona eyenze umcwaningi ukuba enze lolu cwaningo ukubona ukuthi abacwaningi abaningi abacwaningile abagxili kulolu cwaningo, kodwa noma kukhona okuthile abakukhulumayo ngalo bakha phezulu kakhulu. Umcwaningi ubone kubalulekile ukuthi zibhekwe kabanzi izingathekiso ezitholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu ukuze abanganalwazi ngazo bazi nabanolwazi oluncane luthuthuke. Ucwaningo lwenziwa kwizakhamuzi ezingama-50 ezitholakala kwaHlathi enombolo 1, 2 naseSidakeni. Kusetshenziswa izindlela zocwaningo okuyikhwalithethivu, ukufunda izincwadi, amathisizi namajeneli ekuqoqeni ulwazi olutholakele. Ucwaningo lubheke kwatholakala izithakazelo ezinezingathekiso ezinolimi oluqosheme, oluhloniphisayo, lobuqhawe, oluyisenzasamuntu, kanye nezingathekiso ezisebenzisa isabizwana soqobo. Kuyavela ukuthi abantu abangamaZulu ngesikhathi beqamba izithakazelo ziningi izinto ababezibheka ngobuhlakani bese besebenzisa ulimi oluyizingathekiso ukuziqamba. Ngenxa yalokhu ucwaningo luphetha ngokuthi ziningi izinhlobo zolimi oluyizingathekiso olutholakala ezithakazelweni zesiZulu futhi uma kungacwaningisiswa kusekhona eziningi ezingatholakala umcwaningi angazivezanga lapha.

English Title: Metaphoric language depicted in isiZulu clan praise names

English Abstract

Metaphoric language is depicted in isiZulu clan praise names through comparisons or by calling one thing by another of a different kind, without deploying elements of simile. This use of language shows the wisdom of the pioneers. When looking carefully at their comparisons, one marvels at the similarity they drew between different things. This article looks at the high level of metaphoric language that is depicted in isiZulu clan praise names. The problem with existing literature is that most of the researchers focused on isiZulu clan praise names which reveal the usage of insulting or respectful language or the language of war, not looking at the metaphoric language used in clan praise names. The researcher of the current study identified the gap in the importance of metaphoric language in isiZulu clan praise names. Data were collected from 50 participants residing at Esdakeni, Number 1 and Number 2 found under the Kwahlathi Tribal Authority. Qualitative and desktop methods were used to collect data. This article concludes that the usage of metaphorical language reveals the importance of identity, respect and unity.