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Lesson 19
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Lesson 19

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Lesson 19 isiZulu: A Latinum Institute African Language Course

Lo/Le/Leli/Lési — The Proximal Demonstrative “This”

Course Index:

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What does “this” mean in Zulu?

The English demonstrative pronoun “this” (and its plural “these”) has multiple forms in Zulu, determined by the noun class of the item being indicated. Unlike English, which distinguishes only two distances (”this” for near, “that” for far), Zulu employs a sophisticated three-way demonstrative system: proximal (near speaker), distal (away from speaker), and remote (far from both speaker and listener but visible). This lesson focuses on the proximal demonstratives—the forms meaning “this” or “these.”

The proximal demonstrative is formed by prefixing l- to the relative concord of each noun class. The forms include lo (class 1/3), le (class 4/9), leli (class 5), lesi (class 7), lezi (class 8/10), lolu (class 11), lobu (class 14), lokhu (class 15/17), laba (class 2), and la (class 6).

The positioning of demonstratives in Zulu offers flexibility: when placed before the noun, the noun appears in its simple form (without the augment/initial vowel); when placed after the noun, the noun retains its full form with augment. Both constructions are grammatically correct and commonly used.

Key Takeaways: -

Zulu demonstratives must agree with the noun class of the referent -

Proximal demonstratives (”this/these”) are formed with l- plus the relative concord -

Demonstratives can precede or follow the noun, affecting the noun’s form -

The three-way distance system (proximal/distal/remote) provides more spatial precision than English -

Class 17 form lokhu serves as a neutral/default demonstrative

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Pronunciation Guide

The demonstrative forms contain sounds that may be unfamiliar to English speakers:

lo [lɔ́] — “this” for class 1/3 nouns; high tone on the vowel

le [lɛ́] — “this” for class 4/9 nouns; high tone

leli [lɛ́.li] — “this” for class 5 nouns; stress on first syllable

lesi [lɛ́.si] — “this” for class 7 nouns; stress on first syllable

lezi [lɛ́.zi] — “this/these” for class 8/10 nouns

laba [lá.ɓa] — “these” for class 2 nouns (people plural)

la [lá] — “these” for class 6 nouns

lolu [lɔ́.lu] — “this” for class 11 nouns

lobu [lɔ́.ɓu] — “this” for class 14 nouns

lokhu [lɔ́.kʰu] — “this” for class 15/17; neutral demonstrative

Tone Note: The single-syllable forms (lo, le, la) maintain high tone on their vowel. When the demonstrative precedes a noun, the augment (initial vowel) of the noun is dropped.

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Section A: Interlinear Construed Text

19.1a Lo muntu ufunda incwadi 19.1b Lo (lɔ́) this-CL1 muntu (mù.n̩.tʰu) person u- (u) CL1.SUBJ -funda (fù.n̩.da) read/study incwadi (ì.n̩.cwá.di) book-CL9

19.2a Leli bhuku lami 19.2b Leli (lɛ́.li) this-CL5 bhuku (bʰú.ku) book lami (lá.mi) my/mine

19.3a Le ndlu inhle kakhulu 19.3b Le (lɛ́) this-CL9 ndlu (n̩.dlu) house i- (i) CL9.SUBJ -nhle (ɲ̩.hle) beautiful kakhulu (ka.kʰú.lu) very

19.4a Laba bantu bayacula 19.4b Laba (lá.ɓa) these-CL2 bantu (ɓá.n̩.tʰu) people ba- (ba) CL2.SUBJ -ya- (ja) PROG -cula (cú.la) sing

19.5a Lesi sihlalo esisha 19.5b Lesi (lɛ́.si) this-CL7 sihlalo (si.hlá.lɔ) chair e- (ɛ) REL -si- (si) CL7 -sha (ʃa) new

19.6a Lezi zinkomo zidla utshani 19.6b Lezi (lɛ́.zi) these-CL10 zinkomo (zí.ŋkɔ́.mɔ) cattle zi- (zi) CL10.SUBJ -dla (ɮa) eat utshani (ù.tʃʰá.ni) grass-CL11

19.7a Lo mntwana ulele 19.7b Lo (lɔ́) this-CL1 mntwana (m̩.n̩.twá.na) child u- (u) CL1.SUBJ -lele (lɛ́.lɛ) sleep-PERF

19.8a La manzi abandayo 19.8b La (lá) these-CL6 manzi (má.n̩.zi) water a- (a) CL6.SUBJ -bandayo (ɓa.n̩.dá.jɔ) cold-REL

19.9a Lolu donga luphukile 19.9b Lolu (lɔ́.lu) this-CL11 donga (dɔ́.ŋga) wall lu- (lu) CL11.SUBJ -phukile (pʰu.kí.lɛ) broken-PERF

19.10a Lokhu kudla kumnandi 19.10b Lokhu (lɔ́.kʰu) this-CL15 kudla (kú.ɮa) food ku- (ku) CL15.SUBJ -mnandi (m̩.ná.n̩.di) delicious

19.11a Le nkomo inkulu 19.11b Le (lɛ́) this-CL9 nkomo (ŋ̩.kɔ́.mɔ) cow i- (i) CL9.SUBJ -nkulu (ŋ̩.kú.lu) big

19.12a Lobu busuku bumnandi 19.12b Lobu (lɔ́.ɓu) this-CL14 busuku (ɓù.sú.ku) night bu- (bu) CL14.SUBJ -mnandi (m̩.ná.n̩.di) pleasant

19.13a Lesi sithombe sihle 19.13b Lesi (lɛ́.si) this-CL7 sithombe (si.tʰɔ́.m̩.ɓɛ) picture si- (si) CL7.SUBJ -hle (hle) beautiful

19.14a Leli zwi libalulekile 19.14b Leli (lɛ́.li) this-CL5 zwi (zwi) word/voice li- (li) CL5.SUBJ -balulekile (ɓa.lu.lɛ.kí.lɛ) important-PERF

19.15a Laba bafundi bafunda isiZulu 19.15b Laba (lá.ɓa) these-CL2 bafundi (ɓa.fú.n̩.di) students ba- (ba) CL2.SUBJ -funda (fù.n̩.da) study isiZulu (ì.si.zú.lu) Zulu-language

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Section B: Natural Sentences

19.1 Lo muntu ufunda incwadi “This person is reading a book”

19.2 Leli bhuku lami “This book is mine”

19.3 Le ndlu inhle kakhulu “This house is very beautiful”

19.4 Laba bantu bayacula “These people are singing”

19.5 Lesi sihlalo esisha “This chair is new”

19.6 Lezi zinkomo zidla utshani “These cattle are eating grass”

19.7 Lo mntwana ulele “This child is sleeping”

19.8 La manzi abandayo “This water is cold”

19.9 Lolu donga luphukile “This wall is broken”

19.10 Lokhu kudla kumnandi “This food is delicious”

19.11 Le nkomo inkulu “This cow is big”

19.12 Lobu busuku bumnandi “This night is pleasant”

19.13 Lesi sithombe sihle “This picture is beautiful”

19.14 Leli zwi libalulekile “This word is important”

19.15 Laba bafundi bafunda isiZulu “These students are studying Zulu”

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Section C: isiZulu Text Only

19.1 Lo muntu ufunda incwadi

19.2 Leli bhuku lami

19.3 Le ndlu inhle kakhulu

19.4 Laba bantu bayacula

19.5 Lesi sihlalo esisha

19.6 Lezi zinkomo zidla utshani

19.7 Lo mntwana ulele

19.8 La manzi abandayo

19.9 Lolu donga luphukile

19.10 Lokhu kudla kumnandi

19.11 Le nkomo inkulu

19.12 Lobu busuku bumnandi

19.13 Lesi sithombe sihle

19.14 Leli zwi libalulekile

19.15 Laba bafundi bafunda isiZulu

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Section D: Grammar Explanation

These are the grammar rules for proximal demonstratives in Zulu:

The Three-Way Demonstrative System

Zulu distinguishes three degrees of distance in its demonstrative system, providing more spatial precision than English’s two-way distinction:

Proximal (this/these): refers to something near the speaker. Formed by prefixing l- to the relative concord of each noun class. Examples: lo, le, leli, lesi, lezi, laba, la, lolu, lobu, lokhu.

Distal (that/those): refers to something away from the speaker. Formed by changing the final vowel of the proximal form to -o (with glide insertion for monosyllabic forms). Examples: lowo, leyo, lelo, leso, lezo, labo, lawo, lolo, lobo, lokho.

Remote (yonder): refers to something far from both speaker and listener but visible. Formed by adding -yā or -yana to the proximal form after changing final -o to -a. Examples: lowaya, leyaya, leliya, lesiya, leziya, labaya, lawaya, loluya, lobuya, lokhuya.

Noun Class Agreement

Each noun class has its own demonstrative form. The demonstrative must match the class of the noun it modifies:

Class 1 (singular people): lo — lo muntu (this person) Class 2 (plural people): laba — laba bantu (these people) Class 1a (kinship/proper names singular): lo — lo baba (this father) Class 2a (kinship/proper names plural): laba — laba baba (these fathers) Class 3 (singular, various): lo — lo muthi (this tree/medicine) Class 4 (plural of class 3): le — le mithi (these trees/medicines) Class 5 (singular, various): leli — leli bhuku (this book) Class 6 (plural, also liquids/collectives): la — la mabhuku (these books), la manzi (this water) Class 7 (singular, various): lesi — lesi sihlalo (this chair) Class 8 (plural of class 7): lezi — lezi zihlalo (these chairs) Class 9 (singular, animals/things): le — le nkomo (this cow) Class 10 (plural of class 9): lezi — lezi zinkomo (these cattle) Class 11 (singular, long/thin objects): lolu — lolu donga (this wall) Class 14 (abstract nouns): lobu — lobu busuku (this night) Class 15 (infinitives/verbal nouns): lokhu — lokhu kudla (this food/eating) Class 17 (neutral/locative): lokhu — lokhu (this thing, neutral)

Positioning and Augment Rules

Demonstratives can appear before or after the noun:

Before the noun: The noun loses its augment (initial vowel). This construction emphasizes the demonstrative. Example: Lo muntu (this person) — “muntu” appears without the augment “u-” Example: Le ndlu (this house) — “ndlu” appears without the augment “i-”

After the noun: The noun retains its full form with augment. Example: Umuntu lo (this person) — “umuntu” keeps its augment Example: Indlu le (this house) — “indlu” keeps its augment

Both constructions are grammatically correct and widely used.

Formation Principle

The proximal demonstrative is formed by prefixing l- to the relative concord of each class. The relative concord itself is derived from the subject concord:

Class 1: subject concord u- → relative concord -o- → demonstrative lo Class 5: subject concord li- → relative concord -eli- → demonstrative leli Class 7: subject concord si- → relative concord -esi- → demonstrative lesi

Longer Forms

Several classes have both short and long demonstrative forms:

Class 1: lo / lona Class 4: le / lena Class 6: la / lana Class 9: le / lena

The longer forms (lona, lena, lana) are used especially when the demonstrative stands alone at the end of a sentence or for emphasis.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong class form: Always match the demonstrative to the noun’s class. Saying “lo ndlu” instead of “le ndlu” is incorrect.

Forgetting augment deletion: When the demonstrative precedes the noun, the augment must be dropped. “Lo umuntu” is incorrect; it should be “lo muntu.”

Using English word order inflexibly: While demonstrative-before-noun is common, Zulu also allows noun-before-demonstrative without any awkwardness.

Confusing proximal and distal: “Lo” means “this” (near); “lowo” means “that” (far). These are not interchangeable.

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Section E: Cultural Context

Demonstratives in Zulu Communication

The elaborate demonstrative system in Zulu reflects the importance of spatial relationships in traditional communication. The three-way distinction (proximal/distal/remote) allows speakers to precisely indicate where objects are in relation to themselves and their listeners—a feature particularly useful in oral cultures where pointing and spatial reference are essential communication tools.

Frequency and Register

Demonstratives are among the most frequently used words in everyday Zulu. They appear constantly in:

Everyday conversation: “Ngifuna le ncwadi” (I want this book) Narrative storytelling: Setting scenes and introducing characters Instructions and directions: “Thatha lokhu” (Take this) Commerce and transactions: Indicating specific items

Regional Considerations

While the demonstrative system is consistent across Zulu-speaking regions, slight pronunciation variations may occur. The core grammatical structure remains stable whether in urban Johannesburg, rural KwaZulu-Natal, or among diaspora communities.

The Neutral Class 17 Form

The class 17 demonstrative lokhu serves as a neutral or default form, used when:

The specific noun class is unclear or irrelevant Pointing to something without naming it specifically Making general references: “Lokhu kuhle” (This is good)

This neutral form functions similarly to English “this” when used without a specific noun.

Politeness and Formality

Demonstratives themselves carry no inherent politeness distinctions. However, combining them with respectful vocabulary and appropriate verb forms creates formal speech. For instance, using class 2a forms when referring to elders or respected individuals shows cultural awareness.

Relationship to Other Nguni Languages

The Zulu demonstrative system is shared with closely related Nguni languages (Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele). Speakers of these languages will recognize the same basic patterns, though with some phonological differences.

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Section F: Literary Citation

The following passage demonstrates demonstrative usage in descriptive prose:

Part F-A: Interlinear Construed Text

F-A.1a Leli lizwe lethu lihle kakhulu F-A.1b Leli (lɛ́.li) this-CL5 lizwe (lí.zwɛ) land/country lethu (lɛ́.tʰu) our li- (li) CL5.SUBJ -hle (hle) beautiful kakhulu (ka.kʰú.lu) very

F-A.2a Lo mhlaba unothile ngawo wonke amandla F-A.2b Lo (lɔ́) this-CL3 mhlaba (m̩.hlá.ɓa) earth/land u- (u) CL3.SUBJ -nothile (nɔ.tʰí.lɛ) rich-PERF ngawo (ŋgá.wɔ) with-them wonke (wɔ́.ŋkɛ) all amandla (a.má.n̩.ɮa) power/strength-CL6

F-A.3a Laba bantu abakhile lapha bangabantu bakithi F-A.3b Laba (lá.ɓa) these-CL2 bantu (ɓá.n̩.tʰu) people aba- (a.ɓa) CL2.REL -khile (kʰí.lɛ) dwell-PERF lapha (lá.pʰa) here ba- (ɓa) CL2.SUBJ -nga- (ŋga) COP -bantu (ɓá.n̩.tʰu) people bakithi (ɓa.kí.tʰi) of-us/our-people

Part F-B: Natural Text with Translation

Leli lizwe lethu lihle kakhulu. Lo mhlaba unothile ngawo wonke amandla. Laba bantu abakhile lapha bangabantu bakithi.

“This land of ours is very beautiful. This earth is rich with all manner of strength. These people who dwell here are our people.”

Part F-C: Original isiZulu Text

Leli lizwe lethu lihle kakhulu. Lo mhlaba unothile ngawo wonke amandla. Laba bantu abakhile lapha bangabantu bakithi.

Part F-D: Grammar Commentary

This passage illustrates the use of demonstratives with different noun classes to create a sense of national pride and belonging:

Leli lizwe (this land): Class 5 demonstrative leli agrees with izwe (land/country), a class 5 noun. The augment i- is dropped when the demonstrative precedes.

Lo mhlaba (this earth): Class 3 demonstrative lo agrees with umhlaba (earth/soil), a class 3 noun. Again, the augment u- is dropped.

Laba bantu (these people): Class 2 demonstrative laba agrees with abantu (people), a class 2 noun. The augment a- is dropped.

The passage demonstrates how demonstratives create immediacy and emotional connection—the speaker is not discussing abstract land or distant people, but “this” specific land and “these” particular people, establishing a personal relationship with the subject matter.

The relative clause abakhile lapha (who dwell here) further localizes the reference, and the copulative construction bangabantu bakithi (they are our people) establishes identity and belonging.

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Genre Section: Conversational Dialogue — At the Market

Part A: Interlinear Construed Text

19.16a Sawubona mama ngicela le nyama 19.16b Sawubona (sà.wu.ɓɔ́.na) greetings mama (má.ma) mother/ma’am ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -cela (cɛ́.la) request le (lɛ́) this-CL9 nyama (ɲá.ma) meat

19.17a Yebo mntanami ufuna lokhu na 19.17b Yebo (jɛ́.ɓɔ) yes mntanami (m̩.n̩.tá.ná.mi) my-child u- (u) 2SG.SUBJ -funa (fú.na) want lokhu (lɔ́.kʰu) this-CL17/15 na (na) QUES

19.18a Yebo ngifuna lokhu kudla 19.18b Yebo (jɛ́.ɓɔ) yes ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -funa (fú.na) want lokhu (lɔ́.kʰu) this-CL15 kudla (kú.ɮa) food

19.19a Lezi zithelo zihlaza 19.19b Lezi (lɛ́.zi) these-CL8 zithelo (zi.tʰɛ́.lɔ) fruits zi- (zi) CL8.SUBJ -hlaza (hlá.za) green/unripe

19.20a Cha lezi ezivuthiwe zinhle 19.20b Cha (tʃʰa) no lezi (lɛ́.zi) these-CL8 ezi- (ɛ.zi) CL8.REL -vuthiwe (vu.tʰí.wɛ) ripe-PERF zi- (zi) CL8.SUBJ -nhle (ɲ̩.hle) good

19.21a Ngibheke la mathambo 19.21b Ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -bheke (bʰɛ́.kɛ) look-at la (lá) these-CL6 mathambo (ma.tʰá.m̩.ɓɔ) bones

19.22a Lo mfazi udayisa imifino 19.22b Lo (lɔ́) this-CL1 mfazi (m̩.fá.zi) woman u- (u) CL1.SUBJ -dayisa (da.jí.sa) sell imifino (ì.mi.fí.nɔ) vegetables-CL4

19.23a Lesi sitolo sinezimpahla ezinhle 19.23b Lesi (lɛ́.si) this-CL7 sitolo (si.tɔ́.lɔ) shop si- (si) CL7.SUBJ -ne- (nɛ) have -zimpahla (zí.m̩.pá.hla) goods-CL10 ezi- (ɛ.zi) CL10.REL -nhle (ɲ̩.hle) beautiful

19.24a Kangakanani leli bhokisi 19.24b Kangakanani (ka.ŋga.ka.ná.ni) how-much leli (lɛ́.li) this-CL5 bhokisi (bʰɔ́.ki.si) box

19.25a Leli libiza amaRandi ayishumi 19.25b Leli (lɛ́.li) this-CL5 li- (li) CL5.SUBJ -biza (ɓí.za) cost amaRandi (a.ma.rá.n̩.di) Rand-CL6 a- (a) CL6.REL -yishumi (ji.ʃú.mi) ten

19.26a Laba bafana bathengisa amaqanda 19.26b Laba (lá.ɓa) these-CL2 bafana (ɓa.fá.na) boys ba- (ba) CL2.SUBJ -thengisa (tʰɛ.ŋgí.sa) sell amaqanda (a.ma.qá.n̩.da) eggs-CL6

19.27a Ngithanda lokhu kusanhlamvu 19.27b Ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -thanda (tʰá.n̩.da) like lokhu (lɔ́.kʰu) this-CL15 kusanhlamvu (ku.sa.ɲ̩.hlá.m̩.vu) grain/maize

19.28a Lo mbala muhle kakhulu 19.28b Lo (lɔ́) this-CL3 mbala (m̩.ɓá.la) color mu- (mu) CL3.SUBJ -hle (hle) beautiful kakhulu (ka.kʰú.lu) very

19.29a Lolu khuni luqinile 19.29b Lolu (lɔ́.lu) this-CL11 khuni (kʰú.ni) firewood lu- (lu) CL11.SUBJ -qinile (qì.ní.lɛ) strong/hard-PERF

19.30a Ngiyabonga mama ngithatha konke lokhu 19.30b Ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -ya- (ja) PROG -bonga (ɓɔ́.ŋga) thank mama (má.ma) mother/ma’am ngi- (ŋgi) 1SG.SUBJ -thatha (tʰá.tʰa) take konke (kɔ́.ŋkɛ) all lokhu (lɔ́.kʰu) this-CL17

Part B: Natural Sentences

19.16 Sawubona mama, ngicela le nyama “Hello ma’am, I would like this meat please”

19.17 Yebo mntanami, ufuna lokhu na? “Yes my child, do you want this?”

19.18 Yebo, ngifuna lokhu kudla “Yes, I want this food”

19.19 Lezi zithelo zihlaza “These fruits are unripe”

19.20 Cha, lezi ezivuthiwe zinhle “No, these ripe ones are good”

19.21 Ngibheke la mathambo “Let me look at these bones”

19.22 Lo mfazi udayisa imifino “This woman sells vegetables”

19.23 Lesi sitolo sinezimpahla ezinhle “This shop has nice goods”

19.24 Kangakanani leli bhokisi? “How much is this box?”

19.25 Leli libiza amaRandi ayishumi “This one costs ten Rand”

19.26 Laba bafana bathengisa amaqanda “These boys sell eggs”

19.27 Ngithanda lokhu kusanhlamvu “I like this maize/grain”

19.28 Lo mbala muhle kakhulu “This color is very beautiful”

19.29 Lolu khuni luqinile “This firewood is hard/strong”

19.30 Ngiyabonga mama, ngithatha konke lokhu “Thank you ma’am, I’ll take all of this”

Part C: isiZulu Text Only

19.16 Sawubona mama, ngicela le nyama

19.17 Yebo mntanami, ufuna lokhu na?

19.18 Yebo, ngifuna lokhu kudla

19.19 Lezi zithelo zihlaza

19.20 Cha, lezi ezivuthiwe zinhle

19.21 Ngibheke la mathambo

19.22 Lo mfazi udayisa imifino

19.23 Lesi sitolo sinezimpahla ezinhle

19.24 Kangakanani leli bhokisi?

19.25 Leli libiza amaRandi ayishumi

19.26 Laba bafana bathengisa amaqanda

19.27 Ngithanda lokhu kusanhlamvu

19.28 Lo mbala muhle kakhulu

19.29 Lolu khuni luqinile

19.30 Ngiyabonga mama, ngithatha konke lokhu

Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section

This market dialogue demonstrates demonstratives in practical, everyday contexts:

Multiple Class Usage: The dialogue naturally incorporates demonstratives from various noun classes—le (class 9, nyama), leli (class 5, bhokisi), lezi (class 8, zithelo), laba (class 2, bafana), la (class 6, mathambo), lo (class 1/3, mfazi/mbala), lesi (class 7, sitolo), lolu (class 11, khuni), and lokhu (class 15/17, kudla/neutral).

Neutral lokhu: The dialogue shows how lokhu functions as a neutral demonstrative when asking general questions (”ufuna lokhu na?” — do you want this?) and when referring to collections of items (”konke lokhu” — all of this).

Question Formation: “Kangakanani leli bhokisi?” (How much is this box?) shows the demonstrative used in a common commercial question pattern.

Relative Clauses with Demonstratives: “Lezi ezivuthiwe” (these ripe ones) shows a demonstrative followed by a relative clause, a common construction for specifying which items among many.

Respectful Address: The use of “mama” (ma’am/mother) in combination with demonstratives shows how spatial reference combines with social respect in Zulu discourse.

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Pronunciation and Orthography Notes

Demonstrative Tone Patterns

Single-syllable demonstratives (lo, le, la) carry high tone and maintain this tone even when followed by a noun. The stress pattern helps distinguish demonstratives from other grammatical elements.

Click Consonants in Related Vocabulary

While the demonstratives themselves do not contain clicks, many nouns used with them do:

c [ǀ] — dental click (as in incwadi, book) q [!] — alveolar click (as in amaqanda, eggs) x [ǁ] — lateral click

Vowel Sounds

The five vowel system of Zulu applies to demonstratives:

a [a] — as in “la” (these, class 6) e [ɛ] — as in “le” (this, class 9) i [i] — as in “leli” (this, class 5) o [ɔ] — as in “lo” (this, class 1) u [u] — as in “lolu” (this, class 11)

The Augment Deletion Rule

When a demonstrative precedes its noun, the augment (initial vowel) is deleted from the noun:

indlu → le ndlu (this house) — the i- disappears umuntu → lo muntu (this person) — the u- disappears isihlalo → lesi sihlalo (this chair) — the i- disappears (note: the si- is the class prefix, not augment) izinkomo → lezi zinkomo (these cattle) — the i- disappears

When the demonstrative follows the noun, the full form is retained:

indlu le (this house) umuntu lo (this person)

Audio Resources

For authentic pronunciation of Zulu demonstratives, consult:

University of KwaZulu-Natal language resources South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Zulu programming IsiZulu.net pronunciation guides

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About This Course

This lesson is part of a comprehensive Zulu language course following the Latinum Institute methodology, which has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. The approach emphasizes the construed reading method, presenting target language text with detailed grammatical analysis to help learners understand structure while building vocabulary systematically.

The course follows a frequency-based vocabulary progression, teaching the 1,000 most commonly used words in practical contexts. Each lesson provides 30 contextual examples (15 in the main section, 15 in a genre-specific dialogue or narrative) with interlinear glossing, natural translations, and grammatical commentary.

For more lessons and resources, visit:

Course Index:

https://latinum.substack.com/p/index

Latinum Institute:

https://latinum.org.uk

Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk

Note on Zulu: isiZulu is spoken by approximately 12 million first-language speakers in South Africa, making it the most widely spoken home language in the country. It belongs to the Nguni branch of the Bantu language family and shares mutual intelligibility with Xhosa, Swati, and Ndebele. Learning Zulu provides access to one of Africa’s major languages and offers insight into the rich grammatical systems of the Bantu language family.

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