IsiNgqumo

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IsiNgqumo (literally "decisions" in the language itself) is an argot used by the homosexuals of South Africa and Zimbabwe who speak Bantu languages, as opposed to Gayle, a language used by the homosexuals of South Africa who speak Germanic languages. IsiNgqumo developed during the 1980s.[1] Unlike Gayle IsiNgqumo has not been thoroughly researched or documented, so figures on numbers of speakers are nonexistent.

IsiNgqumo is a Nguni language and seems to have derived from Zulu.[2] IsiNgqumo is often considered a Western invention by indigenous Zimbabweans but it was actually a creation of indigenous homosexuals,[2] an only recently self-aware group.[1]

Sample

Though the following sample conversation may be slightly obscene, it is a good representative of IsiNgqumo's use as most of its vocabulary has some connection to sex or gay men.

IsiNgqumo:

"Isiphukwana sake, kuyavuswa na?"
"Maye"
"Injini!"
"Kuncishiwe" (or) "kuyapholwa"[3]

Zulu Translation (to show difference):

"Ubolo sake, kuyakhulu na?"
"Yebo"
"Imbuqo!"
"Kuyancane"

Literal Translation:

"His little stick, has it awoken?"
"Yes"
"Lie!"
"It's not talented" (or) "it makes one cold"

English:

"His penis, is it big?"
"Yes"
"Lie!"
"It's small" (both terms mean the same thing, and are very derogatory)[3]

Origin of the Vocabulary

  • The word "isiphukwana" comes from the Zulu word "uphuku" (meaning "stick") with the suffix "-ana" (meaning "small"). "isiphukwana" is the IsiNgqumo variant of the Zulu word "uphukwana".
  • "Vuswa" is the Zulu word for "woken up" in the passive tense.
  • "Maye" comes from the Zulu word for expressing shock (the equivalent of a gasp in our culture). This is used instead of the Zulu word for yes, "yebo"
  • "Injini" literally means "taking on for a ride", and finds its origins in the Zulu word for "engine". In Zulu, the word "imbuqo" word be used for the same purpose.
  • The word "uncishiwe" originates from Zulu as "not given", but is used in IsiNgqumo to mean "not talented". "Kuncishiwe" has the same meaning as "It is not talented". "Uncishiwe" can also mean "ugly", or can be used as a generic insult.
  • "Pholwa" is passive tense for the Zulu word for "cool". "Kuyapholwa" could be translated as "it makes one cool". Like "ncishiwe" "pholwa" can be used as an insult.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 , page 1, paragraph 3
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 , page 5, paragraph 3
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Defiant Desire - Google Books". Books.google.ca. Retrieved 2013-12-17. 
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