Glimmering Memory

I cannot explain it, but there is something about it. I find it really masculine when I look over at him driving. Could it be his side profile? I do find it immaculate, especially when the sun hits his face. I sometimes catch the shy hints of hazel in his iris. Perhaps it is his singing. Driving brings out the karaoke-diva hidden deep within him. He sounds awful! However, I find that sound sweet. It means he is in a good mood. I love it when My Baby is happy. He would dance too, hands off the steering wheel and everything. My heart sinks a little because I dread the idea of dying in a car. He knows this. 

After his little performance, he'd always look over. I've never asked him why, but I think it's to see my smile. Whether I join in or not, in the end, I always look over and smile. Honestly, I'm smiling because of admiration. Sometimes I would join in, or even hype him up. We would sing louder than the radio. I can imagine the discomfort people feel at every stop. I love the car guards though. They often dance and sing along too. 

These are all memories though. Another person is living that life now. I wonder if they even catch that dimple at the corner of his smile. On the right side of his mouth. Is their height difference as perfect as our was? Do they know he dislikes alcohol but wouldn't say no when offered a glass? Do they force things on him? He hardly said no. Do they often hug his arm while walking together? He's quite shy, so walking with his partner in public is uncomfortable for him. I found that hugging his arm comforted him a bit. Especially in malls. I wonder if they secretly order his favorite meal on purpose. I used to enjoy giving him grief for snacking from my dish. He knew he'd get in trouble each time, but did it anyway. Honestly, I did it to keep from gaining too much weight. It's cute on social media when seeing foodie couples. It's not so cute when you start gaining weight.

I have nothing but love for him. Unfortunately, we had reached an inevitable point in our relationship. We grew up. We grew apart. We grew into different people. We mutually agreed to separate. A day I will never forget. He texted me asking to meet up. At this point we hadn't spoken for over a week, and I was neck deep in paperwork and deadlines. I felt a lump in my throat, I felt my stomach turn and I was livid. "Why did you text me!" I thought. I told him now was not a good time, and asked him to give me time. To which he agreed. About 3 weeks later I called him over for a meal, and I wanted to hear what he had to say. Oh boy! Little did I know. This is how it went:

Him: Thanks. The food was delicious.

Me:   Thank you.

. . .

Me:  So, you wanted to talk?

In all honesty and fairness I already knew where this was going. Besides, everyone knows it is never good when your partner says this. I felt weird, as if I was scared but also a little relived. Scared because at some point I loved this man so much I would have done illegal and shameful things, just to keep him happy and safe. Scared because I was about to be forced into admitting that I no longer see that man when I look at him. The relief probably came from the realisation that he would be responsible for ending it. All things considered, I still could not bear the thought of hurting him. I could not bear the though of disappointing and crushing him. 

Him: Yes, I want to talk about us. (A weird expression flashed across his face.)

Me:   What's up with the weird face? Are you ok?

He took my hand and pulled me closer without shifting his eyes from mine, he said:

 

Him:  I really cannot continue lying to you. I cannot carry on living like this! Baby      what we had was special. I will carry those memories with me always, and            when I look at the sky, memories of you will twinkle across it like a starry night. I really loved you. I loved everything about you. But over time those cute quirks    grew to annoy me. Over time I missed you less and less. I felt lonely at the thought of you. Today, your smile left me depressed and your smell broke my heart. I feel strongly for you still. I miss the you that blew up my phone and obsessed over our couple spar nights. I am deeply conflicted. I cannot give you the me that is not fully in. It turned into a speech, I am sorry. But please allow me to let you go. Allow me to rediscover you, to have us feel like the us we once were. Before the careers, the money, the constant work socials, and before the heavy ghosting. I need to remember that. I desperately do! (his eyes began to quiver and he let go of me) I know you feel it too. (his eyes dropped)

Me:    I don't know what to say. 

Him: Just be honest. That is all I want right now.

Me:  You are absolutely right. The feeling is somewhat mutual. We both neglected this relationship. Now it is fizzling out like an old flame, and the thick smoke is chocking us. I am glad I got to know the person behind my dopey admiration of his face. I would have done it had you not acted first. (Gently touching his face with a soft smile on my face) My shining and glimmering memory, I will never forget you. 

Two years later, I still have nothing but love and respect for him. A glimmering memory that still twinkles, illuminating the sky so ever radiantly. 

Remember, my heart.

By: Khauhelo Banyane

Unshackle thyself,

Unshackle thyself, dear child.

Pry yourself free,

Pry yourself free from bounding shackles.

For bondage is but a mere shard.

Blunt, yet sharp and fierce. 

Alas! 

Curses!

Solitude where art thou?

Ever so scarce,

Ever so shy.

Like a forbidden curse,

You hide in the tightest nooks and crannies of this earth.

Like the words of a tree,

You are draped in myth,

Disguised like an idea conjured by a mad man.

In the end,

In the ultimate end!

You are but a mortal's dream.

Peace in the world,

Peace for the living?

Gather thy treasures not on earth,

But in the Kingdom above.

For there 

Your house stands ready for your return,

For there 

Your life awaits.

Who wrote Sesotho first?

 Who wrote the first Sesotho text?

By: Khauhelo Banyane

Basotho have a very interesting history, mainly because they are part of an African group of people known as the Bantu group. This group is said to have originated in the West-Central parts of Africa, mainly Nigeria and Cameroon. They later migrated down south and settled in the southernmost region of the continent. Upon reaching the south, they branched out. The two most prominent groups today are the Nguni, which is the biggest group in South Africa. It mainly consists of the amaXhosa, amaZulu, and amaNdebele tribes. This is followed by the Sotho/Sotho-Tswana group, which is the second largest in the country. It consists of Basotho, Batswana, and Bapedi. Of all the Bantu groups in Africa, the Sotho-Tswana group is the most different. Unlike its brothers, Sesotho uses a disjunctive writing system and is vocally different from them, especially the Nguni who are found in Southern Africa alongside them. It is said that Basotho settled in the south and then forged a new way of speaking. These languages today are mainly known as Selozi, Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi.

This question has always plagued my mind: If we used drawings and symbols as writing, then that means someone introduced letters to us. Obviously, it was our colonizers, but how exactly? Teaching someone your language cannot be nearly as hard as trying to translate theirs into yours, especially if you do not understand it. So, how did they do it? Most importantly, how did they get them to accept it? Formally speaking, scholars and researchers have not found proof that before colonization Basotho had written texts. In fact, the language is believed to have been oral, which happens to prove the notion that African history is found in stories passed down from generation to generation. Basotho used proverbs, riddles, songs, clan names and praises, etc. to pass teachings and messages.  We have all heard the stories of grandparents sharing stories with the young over a meal at night by the fire, stories of warriors and hunters coming back and relaying their tales to a group of people gathered around them. Sometimes it would be a grand occasion, where the entire village is present and the biggest animals would be slaughtered. The people would enjoy a grand feast and amazing tales. This was language in Africa. People came together and spoke. However, now people gather in a building and sit in silence meters away from each other. The white man has a saying that goes "knowledge is hidden in books," while a black man understands knowledge to come from shared stories and experiences. With such contrasting views, how did the white man finally get a black man to sit down and write his stories instead of sharing them in a gathering of  people? He used a book, a robe and a building. Once he got the black man to listen to him, he introduced church and the bible. Thus beginning the process of winning over the black man. However, this is not a bad today. In fact, Basotho take pride in their individuality, including their way of writing. 

Eugene Casalis

Above is a picture of a man who shaped the way we write Sesotho today. According to sesothoweb.com [n.d.] and Baystate Interpreters, INC [n.d.], Eugene Casalis was a French missionary stationed in Southern Africa, Lesotho. In 1833, he published a book called 'Etudes sur la Langua Sechuana'. This was the first text written in Sesotho. Apparently, he taught his daughter the language too, because she married a man called Reverend A. Mabille, whom she taught the language to while they were in Europe. When he arrived in Lesotho, the reverend carried on his father-in-law's work. He even established a printing press in Morija, Lesotho, known as Morija Printing Works, which is still famously present and operational to this day. At this point, the foundation had been set. This made it easier for other missionaries to work on the language and produce a Bible for its people. They used the Kwena dialect as it was spoken by the late King Moshoeshoe, which is now the standard for the language. In 1872, John Bunyan produced the Sesotho version of the book 'Pilgrim's Progress', marking the acceptance and prosperity of the written language by its people. However, linguists Doke and Ziervogel had their reservations about the language. They argued that since Sesotho is a Bantu language, it must be written conjunctively like its sister languages. It did not make sense to them that two sister groups could be so vastly different in writing. So, to ease tensions, E.B. van Vyk suggested that Sesotho now take a semi-conjunctive approach. However, their arguments and views could not win the argument because Sesotho is still a disjunctive language system.

Helahelele Mostho! 

 Hore na o moSotho wa Leboa kapa wa Aforika Borwa, ikgantshe ka Sesotho sa haeno. Sengolwa sena ha se kene botebong, empa bonyane boo ke o fileng bona bo a paka hore ka nnete o tlameha ho kgaba ka Sesotho sa haeno. Pula.

I would like to close by saying that Basotho are known as a peaceful nation. Their most renowned king, King Moshoeshoe, bestowed this attribute upon them through his actions. Though in South Africa today, there are a few people who taint this good name, the vast majority still uphold it. The Kingdom of Lesotho is a natural paradise. It has views that will take your breath away, from clear streams of water to high rolling mountains and fields of grass and flowers that stretch as far as the eye can see. Take a trip to Lesotho. Reconnect. Recharge.

South Africa and Translation: Introduction to discourse

 

Written by: Khauhelo Banyane

Edited by: Kwanele Sicelo Kilani

 

I find it bizarre that translation is not praised in Africa. Nor is it the most profitable career. Simply because African countries, among other things, are known for having multiple official languages. The amount of spoken languages being even higher. South Africa has 12 official languages, and over 20 spoken languages in the country. However, we do not hold the title of the African country with the most official languages. Zimbabwe holds the title. They have 16 official languages in the country. We come second with 12. On 19 July 2023 President Ramaphosa recognised sign language as an official South African language. Shooting us up from 11 to 12.

So, what exactly is translation? My quick uneducated guess used to sound like this: Translation is changing one language into another. My understanding of the word basically came from church. I had always known interpretation and translation as interchangeable words. With no difference at all. I would hear the interpreter take the pastor’s words and change them into another language. I figured the people that could not understand the pastor needed help with hearing the sermon. Even though it turned out a bit chaotic at the pulpit. Therefore, translation was just about language. However, I now understand translation to be more than that. In fact, translation and interpreting, though similar, are different practices. Translation is the art of relaying a message from one language into another all while preserving the original meaning.

Jeremy Munday describes translation as a phenomenon. A phenomenon is an occurrence in nature that cannot be explained. To me, it sounds like he was trying to imply that translation may be as old as human existence. Dare I even say it existed before speech, or spoken words. Translation is more than just words. Behind each translated text there lies creed, tradition, sociology, societies, as well as different groups of people. All belonging to the same culture and language. As we go deeper into the series, I will explain why in Europe people used to be executed for mistranslation and misrepresentation in texts. The intricacies of translation lie deep within us. Simply because language usage is not the same for each person. That is because a person’s speech pattern is influenced by factors such as, jargon, jokes, sarcasm, foreign media, environment, society, etc. These mark our unique speech patterns, even if we belong to the same culture and language. For example, the interpreter in church made a mistake. Perhaps they pronounced a word wrong, or they could not think of a word and used a funny action. The congregants pick this up, and eventually it becomes an inside joke. Kutloano, a congregant, visits Sibo her cousin in another province. One is Xhosa the other one is Sotho. Kutloano explains the joke to Sibo. Then Sibo decides to start using the word or action in her community. Soon enough, the people in her section adopt it as a colloquial term. Turning it into a quirk that defines them. Setting them apart from the rest. That is how easy it is to mark individuality in speech. Message is deeply rooted in language. If you look at language and message, speech is a factor and not a determiner. “It is not what you have said, but rather how you said it.” Defines this. The words were not the communicated message.

I would like to close by saying that language is highly versatile and multifaceted. Studying language could never be boring. For example, while I talk about translation someone else chose sociology. Another chooses cultural studies. Not to mention the good old classics like, novels, poems, songs, praises, illustrative writing, grammar, etc.

original work: Poetry

 

FRANTIC!

Breath … breath,

In … out,

Oh God!

 

In …

…

…

. . .

.  .  .

 

PANIC!

 

.  .  .

. . .

…

…

In,

...

Out,

...

In,

Out,

 

Less panic

 

Breath … breath,

In … out,

Yah … weh,

See!

If breathing is all it takes to call out your name then why take it away from me? Am not worthy of Thy name? 

Hello and welcome

 

Hello friend!

If literature is your thing then hi bestie.

Welcome to my very first blog. Ever! Hopefully, this becomes a warm and relaxing space for you. As it is for me. Writing, reading and creating have been a blessing in my life. It is something I have been doing since primary. I only realised what it was in high school. I started joining a lot of culture clubs, debate, public speaking, etc. That was when it hit me that writing and reading are a skill, and talent. Therefore, making it an art. Then I explored novels, poetry, essays, etc. I ended up pursuing this love post high school. In 2023, I am a fresh graduate that majored in Journalism, PR, and Translation. I am 23 years old, and female.

This is a great space for me to share my love for literature with you. Here, I will be sharing my thoughts on books, poetry, and other forms of writing. among other things. I hope to inspire you, and get you to appreciate the beauty of language. Join me on this journey and let's explore the world of literature together.If you have any suggestions or feedback, please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to hear from you!

​

This site is divided into 3 parts.

1. Translation. Translation is so interesting and overlooked. As a translator, I plan to show you the beauty and intricacy behind this science. An age long debate. Is translation a science or an art? I view it as a hybrid of the two. I could never find a point where translation is truly one without the other. 

2. Reviews and Thoughts on literary works. This is the most exciting part. I personally enjoy it. Nothing feels better than finishing a book, and reflecting on it. I often find that the author interests me more than the story. The way he/she comes out in those pages. Written content is the perfect definition of the word 'multifaceted'. 

3. My original work. This is where I show capabilities as a writer.

I will make my blog user friendly. All three categories will be easy to navigate. If you have not picked it up yet; i was, and still am, the weird kid. The quiet kid. The one kid people find difficult to connect with. The girl who spoke way too much English. So, I normally have a lot of time on my hands. Time that will be used to plug you. Hopefully, i find at least one person whom i will be able to connect with. 

your friend

M_D