Xhosa language
1
7.7
- noun
- /ˈkoʊsə/
- The Xhosa language is recognized for its unique use of click consonants, which can be challenging for new learners.
Examples
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The Xhosa language makes use of 15 vocal clicks from various positions within the mouth.
Academic text (2015) -
The Xhosa, also known as the South Nguni or Cape Nguni, are united by dialects of the Xhosa language and other cultural features, but they consist of several distinct peoples.
Academic text (2003) -
Thus, our Xhosa language and its associated thought processes, despite our internal differences, serve as a significant marker of our identity.
Academic text (2007) -
"The Click Song." The following lesson plan (see Figure 2) introduces three of the most prominent vocal click techniques from commonly used words in the Xhosa language.
Academic text (2015) -
Many children in South Africa learn the Xhosa language as their first home language.
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In our class, we often practice traditional stories told in the Xhosa language.
Synonyms
1
8.6
A language spoken in South Africa with distinctive click sounds
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is fully compositional: 'Xhosa' is the name of a Bantu language and 'language' denotes a named spoken system, so the phrase simply refers to that language. The noun + noun naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, making the meaning immediately clear to learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
The Xhosa language gets its name from the Xhosa people, and one popular story says the group was named after an early leader called Xhosa, so the phrase means the 'language' of that group. The Xhosa language is famous for its click sounds, which makes it easier to remember.