Hello Gauteng!

Lions of Zululand performers. Photo courtesy niassembly

Welcome to Gauteng – a region of impressive multilingual richness and cultural diversity. According to the latest census, the majority of people who live in the province speak English, Zulu, Sotho or Xhosa as their home tongue, with Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho or English as a secondary language.

Should you wish to converse with the locals and get a real sense of what the province and its people are all about, try starting off your conversation with a few of the following vernacular phrases.

English

IsiZulu
Hello Sawubona
How do I get to the airport? Nyiya njani e-airport?
Is it nearby? Iseduze?
Please give me directions Ngibawa ungitjengise indlela
Were am I? Ibizwani indawo le?
Where is the restaurant? Ikuphi I-restaurant?
Is breakfast included? Ingabe ibreakfast ifakiwe na?
Do you have internet? Unalokhu i-internet?

English

Afrikaans

Do you speak English? Praat jy Engels?
Where is the flea market? Waar is die vlooimark?
Where is the domestic arrivals terminal? Waar is die binnelandse aankomssaal?
Where can I find the information desk? Waar is die inligtingstoonbank?
I’m looking for a hotel Ek is op soek na ’n hotel
I’d like a glass of red wine Ek wil asseblief ’n glas rooiwyn hê

English

 Xhosa
Hello Molo
What is your name? Ngubani igama lakho?
Where is the Bureau de Change? Iphi iBureau de Change ekufutshane?
Do you have a map? Unayo imephu?
Please give me directions Nceda ndibonise i-directions
Do you serve vegetarian food? Niyakunika ukutya kwabangayityiyo inyama?
Where is the post office? Iphi i-ofisi yeposi?
Where is the tourism office? Iphi i-ofisi yokhenketho?
Do you have the Big Five? Unayo i-Big Five?

English

 Sotho
Hello Dumelang
Do you speak English?            Na o bua English?
Where are you from? O tswa kae?
What is your daily rate? Ke bokae ka letsatsi?
I’m looking for a hotel. Ke batla hotele
I’d like lamb. Ke kopa nama ya nku
Where can I find an internet café? Nka fumana kae internet café?

“Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry or savour their songs.” – Nelson Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom.