簡介
使用人口大約790萬人,約佔南非人口的百分之18,主要集中在南非南部的兩個省分,該語言現在是拉丁字母書寫。
另外,科薩語是南非前總統納爾遜·曼德拉的母語。
語言特點
像其它班圖語言一樣,科薩語是帶有聲調的語言,它具有兩種聲調。也就是說,同一組母音和輔音的組合,如果用升調或降調,高音或低音發聲,表達的是不同的意思。科薩語一個最顯著的特點,是它的吸氣輔音(click consonants)。這種語言的名稱,Xhosa,就是用一個吸氣輔音開頭的。在採用拉丁字母拼寫科薩語的系統中,用三個字母來表達吸氣輔音:c, x,和q。
在十六世紀之前,說科薩語的人就居住在南非的海岸線一帶。說科薩語的部族稱他們自己使用的語言為amaXhsa或isiXhosa。幾乎所有帶吸氣輔音的語言都是克瓦桑族語(Khoisan languages)。科薩語中的吸氣輔音表明,它是克瓦桑族語的近親。大約有15%的辭彙來自克瓦桑族語。到了近代,科薩語又從南非語(即南非荷蘭語)和英語中借用了很多辭彙。

語言套用
目前,在初小教育和部分高小教育中,科薩語是主要的語言。但是,進入更高一級的教育後,教育用語便為英語所取代。盡管在學校中,還有科薩語的學術團體,並開設科薩語的課程。在南非大學,授課用語是英語和南非語,而學生可以當作一門課程來選修科薩語。學這門功課的學生,可能他們的母語就是科薩語,也可能不是。
第一部科薩語的《聖經》是1859年由英國人Henry Hare Dugmore與當地人合作翻譯出版的。Henry Hare Dugmore能夠講流利的科薩語。目前,科薩語的報刊和雜志隨處可見,也有許多散文、詩歌等文學作品。南非廣播公司每天播出科薩語的電視和廣播節目。用科薩語唱歌的著名歌手Miriam Makeba,以特有的帶吸氣輔音的歌調,使其聲名遠揚到南非之外的世界各國。
語言樣本
科薩語樣本:
Bonke abantu bazalwa bekhululekile belingana ngesidima nangokweemfanelo. Bonke abantu banesiphiwo sesazela nesizathu sokwenza isenzo ongathanda ukuba senziwe kumzalwane wakho.
對應英文:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
科薩語日常用語
English | isiXhosa (Xhosa) |
---|---|
Welcome | Siya namkela nonke |
Hello | Molo |
How are you? Fine thanks, and you? | Unjani? |
Ndiyaphila, enkosi. Kunjani kuwe? Ndiphilile enkosi, unjani wena? | |
Long time no see | Kudala ndakugqibela |
What's your name? My name is ... | Ngubani igama lakho? Igama lakho? |
Igama lam ngu ... | |
Where are you from? I'm from ... | Uvela phi? |
Ndivela e... | |
Pleased to meet you | Ndiyavuya ukukwazi |
Good afternoon | Uben' emva kwemini entle / Ube nemini emnandi |
Good evening | Ubusuku obuhle |
Good night | Rhonanai / Ulale kakuhle |
Goodbye | Hamba kakuhle (go well) Sala kakuhle (stay well) |
Good luck | Amathamsanqa |
Cheers/Good health! | Impilo! |
Have a nice day | Ubenemini emnandi |
Bon appetit | Ukonwabele ukutya kwakho |
Bon voyage | Uhambe kakuhle |
I don't understand | Andiva |
Please speak more slowly | Khawucothise |
Please say that again | Ndicela uphinde / Khawuphinde utsho / Yitsho kaphinda |
Please write it down | Cela uyibhale phantsi |
Do you speak Xhosa? Yes | Uyakwazi ukuthetha isiXhosa? |
Ewe | |
Do you speak English? | Uyakwazi ukuthetha isiNgesi? |
How do you say ... in Xhosa? | Uthini …ngesiXhosa? |
Excuse me | Uxolo! Ndixolele! |
How much is this? | Yimalini? |
Sorry | Ndicela uxolo |
Thank you Response | Ndiyabulela / Enkosi |
Wamkelekile | |
Where's the toilet? | Liphi igumbi langasese? |
This gentleman/lady will pay for everything | uMfana uzakubhatala yonke into / uBhuti uzakubhatala yonke into Inenekazi lizokubhatala yonke into / Ilady lokubhatala yonke into |
Would you like to dance with me? | Ungathanda ukudansa? |
I love you | Ndiya kuthanda |
Get well soon | Uphile ngokukhawuleza |
Leave me alone! | Ndiyeke! |
Help! | Nceda! |
Call the police! | Biza amapolisa! |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year | Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi Emnandi Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo |
Happy Birthday | Imini emnandi kuwe |
One language is never enough | Ulwimi olunye zange lonela |