Language skills in Luchazi

There are four language skills that we need to complete communication. We usually learn to listen first, then to speak, then to read, and finally to write. These are called the four language skills. Here are some key language skills terms in Luchazi language and their meanings in English:

Listening terms and conversational phrases in Luchazi

Listening is receiving a language through ears. It is important to listen carefully how words are pronounced, especially homographs (e.g kosa (sleep or lay down), kosa (displease), kanda (dig up groundnuts), kanda (forbid), etc. Some words are highly accented, while others are almost devoid of tone quality. Here is a list of common listening terms and phrases:

Lituitui = ear.
Matuitui (plural) = ears.
Lizi = voice
Mezi (plural) = voices.
Ivua = listen.
Halakana = hear.
Mukua ku halakana = listener.
Vakua ku halakana (plural) = listeners.
Ivuilila = listen.
Mukua ku ivuilila = listener.
Vakua ku ivuilila (plural) = listeners.
Ivuililenu = you listen.
Sembulula = indifference; the quality of not caring or being interested in something or someone; lack of interest or concern; wilful ignorance
Ku na holo = it is quiet.
Vanguka = listen; hearken.

Luchazi proverb: Mukuenu mu ku amba; ove mu ku singanieka (While your fellow is speaking, you are thinking).

Vulanguluisi: Omo muntu mukuavo a cili na ku handeka na ku langulula viuma mua ya visinganieka vieni, ove u li na ku halakana mua cili cli linga u yongole mua cili mua ku mu kumbulula na ku liohiela.

Ku Hetesa: Halakana mua cili hamo na ku yongola na mana omo veka va li na ku handeka linga u va kumbulule na mangana.

Speaking terms and conversational phrases in Luchazi

Speaking is the delivery of language through the mouth. Accent is a very important feature of the Luchazi language. In speaking, the semantic tone plays an important role in distinguishing homographs and tense. One also needs to understand the intonation, pitch and musical chromatic accent in order to acquire the correct accentuation of the language. Here is a list of speaking terms and phrases in Luchazi:

Lilimi = language.
Malimi (plural) = languages.
Kanua = mouth.
Tunua (plural) = mouths.
Handeka = speak; talk; say.
Ku handeka na mpoko = to speak with authority.
Mukua ku handeka = speaker.
Vakua ku handeka (plural) = speakers ✔️. Vaka ku handeka ❌.
Handekenu netu = speak to us.
Lakata = eloquence.
Lakatele = eloquent.
Kalaka mu ku handeka = speech impediment.
Yeveta = whisper.
Ku yeveta = to whisper.
Lutsimo = news.
Cihandeka = speech.
Vihandeka = speeches.
Vuhandekelo = logic; reasoning; argumentation.
Pupulula = to utter thoughtless words.
Vihandeka via ku santsuka = good speech.
Vihandeka via ntsoni = obscene language, filthy talk or foolish talk.
. Vayangela = vain talk.
Handekesa = speak to.
Te a ci ku handeka = while he spoke; yet spoke.
Ambulula = tell; report; narrate; preach.
Ambuziola = tell over and over.
Hula = ask.
Vikandzo tu ka handeka? = What shall we say?
Muambele = that is what he said.
Zinguli = counsel.
Sana = call.
Mutambi = call.
Mitambi (plural) = shouts or calls.
Tambeka = call out.
Tambakana = shout or call out.
Tenda = raise the voice; a loud call or sound.
Tendeka = a loud call out or cry.
Kauelele = a loud, piecing cry out.
Tua kauelele = to call out loudly.
Sika = command.
Kuania = reply or answer.
Ku-kuania = to answer; to reply.
Kumbulula = reply; answer.
Ku kumbulula = to reply; to answer.
Tumbula = recite; utter, pronounce, give public expression to: express in words.
Muzimbu = report.
Zimbula = inform or report.
Ku zimbula = to inform.
Soza = debate.
Ku soza = to debate.
Simutuila = chat.
ku simutuila = to chat.
Visimutuila = chattery.
Milingu = retorts.
Holoka = keep quiet.
Holoka kulu = shut up.
Kulu = shut up.
Handekela = reprimand; rebuke; reproof.
Ku handekela = to reprimand.
Ku mu handekela = to reprimand or correct someone.
Vihandekela = reprimands; rebuke; reproof.
Lembu = orate or oration; skillful in whisper or incantation.
Mukua lembu = orator.
Mukua ku hiana lembu = eloquent orator; skillful in whisper or incantation.
Vihandeka via kavumbi = gracious speech or talk.
Vihandeka via vukama = excellent speech.
Cisaki = gossip.
Visaki = gossips.

1. Luchazi proverb: Timba ha vuci; mpako ya ya mu langa (Chop with the axe where the honey is; the tree cavity goes on and on).

Vulanguluisi: Omo vuci va u uana mu mpako ya muti, va na pande ku timba haze ha kala vuci muomu hamosi mpako ya ya ku laako.

Ku Hetesa: Handeka vi u tonda ku langulula kati u lizenge zenge ngue viahi vi u handeka.

2. Luchazi proverb: Ua tsa mu ciliva ca mbala; ua samatela mutue (He who is caught in someone else's trap; he has stuck his head into it).

Vulanguluisi: Muntu uze ua zangula mu ku lihaka mu visimutuila via vantu veka a ka ua mu ciliva cize ci va na telela ueka. Kaha omo lia vuheve vueni a ka fueta mua kama.

Ku Hetesa: Livandeke mu ku likovelesa mu visimutuila via vantu veka.

Reading terms and conversational phrases in Luchazi

Reading is the process of looking at a series of written symbols and getting meaning from them.

Mutue = topic, heading, subject.
Kapetulu = chapter.
Mutamba = paragraph; part or segment of something which combined with others makes up the whole.
Cinimbu = verse.
Nkumbu = meaning, interpretation. Mesiya, nkumbu yalio, Kilistu (Messiah, its meaning is, Christ).
Pagina = page.
Lizi = word.
Mezi (plural) = words.
Mezi a mupulungua = vain words; meaningless words.
Livulu (from Portuguese 'Livro') = book, booklet or a set of written, printed, or blank sheets of paper bound together into a volume.
Mavulu (plural) = books, booklets, pamphlets.
Mukanda = letter, pamphlet, book or an unbound printed publication with no cover or with a paper cover.
Mikanda (plural) = letters, pamphlets, books.
Lizengununo lia mukanda = scroll.
Citale = tablet.
Vuka (from English) = book. Mainly used in Zambia which is an English speaking country.
Tanda = read; to understand the meaning of written or printed material by interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed especially by sight or touch; to utter or speak written, printed words aloud.
Tanda = count; to determine the total number of things or to indicate or name by units or groups to find the total number of units involved; to recite numbers in ascending order.
Tandisi or tandesi = style or manner of reading or counting.
Mukua ku tanda = reader.
Lumbununa = analyse or explain.
Ku lumbununa = to analyse or explain.
Lundulula = interpret.
Lingulula = explain or interpret.
Kasahu = riddle.
Kulanguluka = interpretation.
Malimbikila = interpretations.
Ku yongola = to ponder, meditate or think about.
Ku nongonona = discern, understand, distinguish.
Kulelenga = clearly or distinctly.

Writing terms and conversational phrases in Luchazi

Writing is the process of using symbols to communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable form.

Soneka = write; to mark, inscribe or spell in writing letters, words or symbols on a surface with a pen, pencil or similar implement.
Ku soneka = to write.
Sonekesa = register; cause to write or mark.
Mukua ku soneka = writer.
Vakua ku soneka (plural) = writers.
Sonekesi = style or manner of writing.
Visoneka = writings; written works.
Cisoneso = writing or drawing instrument.
Lapi = pencil. This word can be found in the Luchazi bible (Mbimbiliya): Isaya (Isaiah 44:13), “Masele olola mukole; a ci seteka na lapi; a ci lambesa na zipalana… (the woodworker is measuring with his line, marking it out with a pencil; he smooths it with a plane…)
Pena (from Portuguese) = pen
Tinda (from Portuguese ‘Tinta’) = ink.
Mpemba = chalk or chalkstone
Lipapelo (from Portuguese) = paper.
Lipaper (from English) = paper. Mainly used in Zambia which is an English speaking country.
Tusona = drawings or writings.
Tusona = ideographs or sandgraphs.
Kusona = to draw or paint.
Tsokola = engrave; to cut or carve a design on a hard material or surface.
Licata = draw or paint.
Citambuluiso = example.
Tambuluisa = copy.
Kopia (from Portuguese) = copy.
Kopiala = process of copying; photocopy (Genesis 17:18).
Kalilaka = small letter (a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet).
Lilaka = letter (a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet); letter (a written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger); written law or rule.
Malaka (plural) = letters of the alphabet; letters; written laws or rules.
Malaka a kama = capital letters.
Malaka = talenu malaka ano a kama a nji na soneka nao kuli enu na livoko liange ivene.
Ponto = dot.
Zima = delete; erase.
Zimangana = erase or blot out.
Papangana = disannulling; declare to be invalid; cancel.
Civulukiso = memorial; reminder.
Civuluisi = reminder.
Cisoneka ca civuluisi = memorandum; a written reminder.
Mukanda ua mizimbu = record book.
Mikanda = mail; letters.
Mukua koloyi = mail runner; courier.
Vakua koloyi (plural) = mail runners; couriers.

Common writing errors in Luchazi

It is important to understand the basic prepositions and the conjunctions in Luchazi, and learn how they are used to connect words, phrases and clauses in sentences. The basic prepositions are: ha, ku, mu, hali, kuli and muli. Here is a list of examples of common writing errors in Luchazi:

Kati ✔️. Keti ❌.
Nja tava ✔️. Njatava ❌.
Nja vuileko ✔️. Njavuileko ❌.
Ka nja vuileko ✔️. Kanjavuileko ❌.
Nji nai (I have gone)✔️. Njinai❌.
Nja fumu✔️. Njafumu❌.
Kati mu nji tonde ✔️. kati munjitonde❌.
Nja hono ku u tonda ✔️. Njahono kuutonda ❌.
Nji u hasa ✔️. Njiuhasa ❌.
Nju hasa ✔️. Njuhasa ❌.
Vi a na handeka ✔️. Vianahandeka ❌.
Vunoni me nja u uana nji ku mi tuminauo ✔️. Vunoni me njau uana njikumituminauo ❌.

Useful words and phrases

Vundzimba = the state of being ignorant or empty-headed or uneducated or unschooled.
Ndzimba = ignorant; illiterate; uneducated; uncultured; unschooled.
Vindzimba = ignorant people; society destitute of knowledge or education.
Ciuaneno = meeting.
Cikungululo = gathering.
Vulongisi = teaching.
Longesa = teach; tutoring ;educate.
Mukua longesa = a person who teaches.
Mulongisi = teacher.
Valongisi (plural) = teachers.
Ndongisi = student; scholar; pupil.
Vandongisi (plural) = students; scholars; pupils.
Hilula = reconsider; review; rethink.
Singanieka = think.
Lunongotima = deep thinking.
Viyongo = meditations.
Kapayo = criticism.
Vuputukilo = the beginning.
Vumanusuilo = the end.
Vuntsueke = privacy.
Vusula = expire; end; expiration.
Vusula vua cuma = the end of a thing.

Spelling and words common errors in Luchazi language

Words are built from vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and consonants (the rest of the alphabet) including the diphthongs (gliding vowels) and consonantal glides. Knowing how vowels and consonants work together to make words and sounds in Luchazi language will help you with your spellings. It is sad that there is a section of Luchazi people who are advocating for the change of how words are spelled in Luchazi language, and this should be condemned in strongest terms. This is not possible because there are grammatic standards and conventions that must be followed at all times, for example compare the spelling of Cuba, Qatar and how these words are pronounced. Other words include 'quick' and 'quiet'. Let us give credit to the grammarians who did great work instead of misleading young ones and those who want to learn the language of Luchazi. Do not use colonialism as an excuse to mislead others. Just do your best to learn how this beautiful language is written. Remember, Luchazi language is our identity, that is, the way we speak it and the way we write it matters most. Do not copy from others, be original and celebrate it. Luchazi people love originality.

Remember, the letters Q, W, X and Y are not in frequent use and appear only in names, proper nouns and borrowed words from Portuguese and other languages. Here are some more examples of spelling errors:

Ca (correct spelling) ✔️. Cha (misspelling) ❌.
Cahi (correct spelling)✔️. Chahi (misspelling).❌
Cange (correct spelling). Change (misspelling).
Cetu (correct spelling)✔️. Chetu (misspelling)❌.
Cifuti (correct spelling)✔️. Chifuti (misspelling)❌.
Cikota (correct spelling)✔️. Chikota (misspelling)❌.
Coto (correct spelling)✔️. Choto (misspelling)❌.
Cuma (correct spelling)✔️. Chuma (misspelling)❌.
Kutua (correct spelling). Kutwa ( misspelling).
Kanianga (correct spelling)✔️. Kanyanga (misspelling)❌.
Lia (correct spelling)✔️. Lya (misspelling)❌.
Mbambi (correct spelling)✔️. Bambi (misspelling)❌.
Muana (correct spelling). Mwana (misspelling).
Muata (correct spelling)✔️. Mwata or mwatha (misspelling)❌.
Naua (correct spelling)✔️. Nawa (misspelling)❌.
NiaChindamba (correct spelling)✔️. NyaChindamba (misspelling)❌.
Niali (correct spelling)✔️. Nyali (misspelling)❌.
Ntuluue ( correct spelling)✔️. Ntuluwe ( misspelling)❌.
Pua (correct spelling). Pwa (misspelling).
Puisamo (correct spelling). Pwisamo (misspelling).
Suana (correct spelling). Swana (misspelling).
Tua (correct spelling). Twa (misspelling).
Tuhia (correct spelling)✔️. Tuhya (misspelling)❌.
Ua ( correct spelling). Wa (misspelling).
Uana ( correct spelling). Wana (misspelling).
Uange (correct spelling). Wange (misspelling).
Uenu (correct spelling). Wenu (misspelling).
Uavuika (correct spelling)✔️. Wabuyka (misspelling)❌.
Vakuetu (correct spelling)✔️. Bakwetu (misspelling)❌.
Vakuluntu (correct spelling)✔️. Bakuluntu (misspelling)❌.
Via (correct spelling). Bia (misspelling).
Vueni ( correct spelling). Bueni (misspelling).
Vueka (correct spelling)✔️. Bweka (misspelling)❌.
Vusoko (correct spelling)✔️. Busoko (misspelling)❌.
Vose (correct spelling)✔️. Bose (misspelling)❌.
Vunoni (correct spelling) ✔️. Bunoni (misspelling)❌.

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