Episode notes
Cullen is a scholar and practitioner of languages, consulting on everything from indigenous languages and dictionary creation to curriculum development, archival research, and social media marketing. He is also the author of ukuThintana, a science fiction novel written in isiZulu.
In this episode, we explore the fascinating story of his early life: centered on his experience growing up in a bilingual household in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. His home environment was one where English-isiZulu bilingualism was normal and celebrated, leading him to learn isiZulu from both his biological parents and his non-biological family, like Mam’Ntuli; his language skills were later consolidated under an excellent teacher while studying isiZulu in high school.
Summary
Cullen grew up in a bilingual household in Eshowe, a region deeply rooted in Zulu culture. Language was treated as a playful and exploratory experience in his family, shaping his early bond with Zulu. His father, who learned isiZulu as his first language due to the circumstances of his upbringing, and his mother, who became fluent through her work in activism and as a traditional healer (isangoma), contributed significantly to this environment. isiZulu was an integral part of daily life, used in contexts ranging from church to political gatherings.
Cullen’s childhood was marked by constant exposure to multiple languages. His parents frequently switched between isiZulu and English, particularly when discussing indigenous knowledge. At home, they developed a unique home dialect, or ‘oikolect,’ substituting English words and phrases for isiZulu ones. This multilingual culture was enriched by non-biological family like Mam’Ntuli, whose Zulu songs were among Cullen’s earliest memories.
He attended Holy Childhood, a multilingual convent school in Eshowe, for most of primary school. The school brought together students from diverse backgrounds, all of whom spoke isiZulu, while German-speaking nuns introduced Cullen to another linguistic dimension. Later, at Clifton, Cullen chose to study Latin: it’s logical structure appealed to him, providing a framework for understanding other languages, including African and European ones.
From mid high-school onwards, Cullen was part of a pioneering group studying Zulu as a First Additional Language: while he already could speak the language, this was his opportunity to convert this intuitive knowledge into something systematic. His small band of classmates were all very different from each other, reflecting South Africa’s cultural landscape. Most importantly, his teacher — a white South African fluent in Zulu due to his background as a cattleman — was excellent.
Mentioned in the episode
- The Grammar of isiXhosa by JC Oosthuysen
- Incwadi Yokukhuleka Yasesheshi: isiZulu Anglican Prayer Book
- iBhayibheli: isiZulu Bible (2020)
Check out the LLSA entry for Cullen’s linguistic consulting services, uMabhengwane Linguistic & Social Consulting. If you are learning or a speaker of isiZulu or similar languages, check out this page on his website in particular.
This podcast is a project of Language Learning SA
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