Hlonipha: Women's Language of Respect

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how there adequate support to deduce that there still is a traditional language of respect, which is used by women in Nguni and Sotho cultures. It looks at how among the older women there is still a positive attitude towards the custom, although urbanization and political and social change are responsible for a decline in the use of Hlonipha.

From the Paper:

"Hlonipha - which derives from the root -hloniph- means 'respect', and it covers both linguistic and behavioral aspects. It is claimed that Zulu King Shaka arrived at a well after traveling a long distance. He wanted to name the place 'amanzi amnandi' or 'fresh sweet water'. Out of respect for his mother, whose name was 'Nandi', he named the place 'Amanzimtoti', inventing a new word. 'Toti' had thus become the hlonipha word for 'mnandi'. King Shaka may have been one of the first to use hlonipha, but this language of avoidance is predominantly used by married women. Men and children use hlonipha but to a lesser extent. The Nguni woman, on the other hand, is expected to hlonipha her whole life."

More papers on Hlonipha: Women's Language of Respect:

• Essay # 36845 : "Language of Women"
• Term Paper # 142826 : "The Language of Eyak"
• Analytical Essay # 90647 : "'In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio'"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: