Language
Zambia has eight major languages (including English) as well as many dialects. Most of these, with the exception of Lozi, are Bantu languages, related to Swahili (which is spoken in Kenya and Tanzania). For the most part, the grammar and the pronunciation of the Bantu languages is common to all. Their vocabulary, however, and sometimes some of the letters and sounds used, are different. In Lusaka, the main language spoken from of old is Nyanja. However, people from all sorts of tribes live here, bringing their languages with them. Various types of churches preach and interact in the language of their place of origin. Generally CMML churches speak Bemba, Salvation Army often speak Tonga, and so forth.
Cinyanja, or simply “Nyanja”, is a Bantu language. Its purest form can be found in Malawi, called Chewa. The Nyanja of the Eastern Province of Zambia has various pronunciation differences, but is basically pure Chewa. The Bible has been translated into Chewa, but not Nyanja; to Nyanja-speakers it is a bit foreign (they call it “deep” Chewa), somewhat like reading the King James Version only tougher. In recent years, many Bemba people have moved down to Lusaka because of the economic downturn of copper-mines in the north. Thus we are seeing an evolution in the Nyanja of Lusaka.
Twenty years from now, Lusaka may have its own unique language, just as Cairo has its own form of Arabic. We will see socio-economic trends reflected in the language changes. Zambian languages were not written down until perhaps 75 years ago, with the influx of Bible translators. Many Zambians do not know how to read their own language, but learn to read in English. To see a sampling of Cinyanja as it is used today, review the catechism and its translation below:
Q.1 Kodi Mulungu ni ndani?
Who is God?
Literally: “Question, God is who?”
A. Mulungu ndiye mzimu, ndipo alibe thupi monga ya ife anthu.
God is a spirit, and does not have a body like men.
Literally: “God He is spirit, and also has not body like of we people.”
Q.2 Tiziwa bwanji kuti Mulungu aliko?
How do we know that God exists?
Literally: “We know how that God exists”, or “is there?”
A. Tiziwa kuti Mulungu aliko cifukwa ca zonse zimene analenga ndipo makamaka cifukwa ca Baibo.
We know that God exists from the worlds He has made and especially from the Bible.
Literally: “We know that God exists because of all which He created and also especially because of Bible.
Q.3 Mulungu apezeka kuti?
Where is God?
Literally:”God is evident/found where?”
A. Mulungu apezeka ponse-ponse pa nthawi imozi.
God is everywhere at the same time.
Literally: God is evident/found everywhere at time one.
Q.4 Kodi ungamuone Mulungu?
Can you see God?
Literally: Question you-can-Him-see God?
A. Iai. Kulibe angaone Mulungu, koma Iye ationa nthawi zonse.
No. No one can see God, but He sees us always.
Literally: No. On one can see God, but He-us-sees times all.
Q.5 Kodi Mulungu aziwa zinthu zonse?
Does God know all things?
Literally: Question God knows things all?
A. Inde. Kulibe cobisika kwa Iye.
Yes. Nothing can be hidden from God.
Literally: Yes. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Q.6 Kodi Mulungu angacite zinthu zonse?
Can God do all things?
Literally: Question God can do things all?
A. Inde; Mulungu angacite conse cifuniro cake.
Yes. God can do all His holy will.
Literally: Yes, God can do all will His.
Q.7 Kodi iliko milungu yambili?
Are there more gods than one?
Literally: Question are there gods many?
A. Iai; kuli cabe Mulungu umozi.
There is only one God.
No; there is only God one.
Q.8 Kodi Mulungu umozi uyu azionesera kwa ife mwa anthu angati?
In how many persons does this one God exist?
Literally: Question God one this reveals Himself to us in persons how many?
A. Mwa anthu atatu: Atate, Mwana ndi Mzimu Woyera.
In three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Literally: In persons three: Father, Son and Spirit Holy.
Q.9 Tili na ncito bwanji kwa Mulungu?
What is our duty to God?
Literally: We are with (we have) work/duty how toward God?
A. Kumpembeza, kumukonda ndi kumusewenzera.
To worship Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
Literally: To Him worship, to Him love and to Him serve.
Q.10 Ni buku liti limene litiphunzisa kukonda ni kusewenzera Mulungu?
Which book teaches us how to love and serve God?
Literally: And book it is which it-us-teaches to love and to serve God?
A. Baibo yekha.
The Bible alone.
Literally: Bible only/alone.
