F is for Fanagalo
August 12, 2007 at 7:30 AM
by Ashleigh
A few days ago I mentioned about the language Europeans (whites) used to communicate with native Zimbabweans called Chilapalapa.
Its other name is Fanagalo.
'Fanagalo' means 'do it like this' and it is considered to be a language of instruction with it's primary form being the imperative.
Which brings me to one of the things about Zimbabwean white society that I don't like, and which thankfully seems to have changed a little now.
It was not 'done' back then to talk to the black servants in English, because by doing so one might inspire them to somehow be 'above themselves'.
So despite the fact that most of the servants spoke passable English we would still have to speak to them in Chilapalapa.
For men, the emphasis on speaking Chilapalapa was less, and my father and brother spoke fluent Shona so they didn't need to use pidgin.
Perhaps in some ways having white women speak pidgin to the servants was a way of keeping the servants in their place and the women in theirs?
We all know what happened in Doris Lessing's The Grass is Singing when the lonely farmer's wife had an affair with a black man. The scandal!
Using fanagalo also kept conversations short so there was never the chance of having an intimate discussion with a servant. This is because pidgin languages have a very concise purpose - to communicate bare facts, nothing more.
I find this especially interesting now that I'm living in a country where I've had to learn a new language.
Failure to assimilate and/or utilise a common language can be a huge stumbling block and I think in colonial Africa it was a very effective way of keeping the societies separate.
After all, with conversation comes knowledge and who knows where that might lead!
Comments
Ash, I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying your Adventures in Africa writings.
You remind me somewhat of Alexandra Fuller, in particular the bit about going camping, and all of the astute social observations from a child's perspective.
Here in Moz, the language situation is a bit more complicated as there are about 20 different local dialects spoken. In general, Portuguese is the language spoken to interact with household help, waiters, business colleages - across social divisions, it seems to be the great equalizer. However, if someone knows how to speak Shangaan or Shona, then many times it is spoken in the household (as long as the group is homogenous).
There isn't really a pidgin version of Portuguese, however it is significantly different than the language I learned in Brazil. Some of the grammar forms are modified in the Portuguese used by laborers/household helpers, etc. But outside that, it's quite standard.
I think that the language use here in Moz likely reflects the colonial environment and policies, as the Portuguese - in general - while certainly terrible in many of the ways they treated local people, did not have the same emphasis on separation of society. In fact, the legacy of separation that is still obvious in places like Zim is striking, as the population here is quite mixed.
Very, very interesting post.
That is an interesting point, about language being used to keep social barriers up.
And you sure have led an interesting life.
Ash
I am really enjoying reading your blog and these wonderful entries about Africa, especially as I have distant relatives in Zim as well.
I look forward to reading more - you have certainly got a way with words! At the moment, I am devouring so many books and reading so much this is just a bonus.
I am really enjoying reading your childhood themed A-Z. You have such interesting memories of Africa and I am learning a lot. Thank you for sharing these with us.
I've just now seen your A-Z and I'm fascinated! I spent a year in Togo with my family when I was 6 and 7, and these pics have a similarity to mine. Maybe someday I'll do the same. What a nice way to remember your childhood!
This post is a fascinating story about language, by the way. You've inspired me to do more research.
You have brought up an interesting point about fanagalo - I never looked at it this way.
My dad could speak fanagalo as he was from the Transvaal and used to deal with the mines, where it was used extensively.
I do think your observation that language usage might have been used as a form of social control is very valid and makes me think of how the British used English as a language of dominance and denigrated Afrikaans - even making Afrikaans school children wear signs around their necks saying 'I must not speak Afrikaans' and teaching Dutch in schools instead (the days of my great grandmother).
I would venture that this is a subject worthy of much deeper study globally as well.
August 12, 2007 9:56 AM