Episode notes
Duncan is an old friend, and was a guinea pig for an experimental introductory Xhosa course I gave in 2018. In this interview, we hear the genesis of his interest in learning Xhosa, and his clear interest in the language as a gateway to understanding his own heritage and a very different worldview. Stay tuned for a future episode on how he actually began to learn the language, and where that has brought him.
Summary
Duncan reflects on the staggered, complex process of growing into his Zulu (or Sintu) name and a challenging experience with formal language education, especially in Afrikaans, which often left him disillusioned with language learning in school. A pivotal moment occurred later in life during travels, where he realized the power of language for authentic connection, reshaping his view of non-English languages.
Duncan’s immersion into Zulu and Xhosa culture, spurred by academic fieldwork, has allowed him to gain more respect and acceptance within communities that he has found often view his efforts (and of those like him) with suspicion. His mother’s openness to indigenous healing practices reinforced his curiosity and acceptance of African cultural practices, particularly regarding the importance of the ancestral realm within the worldview of the amaXhosa.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Michel Thomas German (& Methodology)
- Penny Burnard influenced him positively
- Regarding ancestral beliefs, he paraphrases Jamie Alexander “You have to show that you know something of what’s on the other side before people will let you in”
- Find out more regarding the fossilisation of language
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