Does anyone have any idea of the average vocabulary of a reasonably well educated Zulu speaker (whoever that might be) ? I am curious

@Carsten - how many entries do we have now out of interest?

There are a few including uBaba uReggy Khumalo

Mbokazi, which Reggy Khumalo? I happen to have a cousin who is KZN by this name and has worked for a news paper company for many years. Specifically in PMB.

Ngxabalala

ngikhuluma ngoDr Baba Reggy Khumalo ohlala ekhuluma noSbu noSbonga emsakazweni.

Xolani Gwala
Chief Dr Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi
Prof Bongani Khumalo

and many more...


---Ciaa.

the honourable uBaba u Thokozani Nene, i think he was spectacular (does anybody know where he is) once a news reader in Ukhozi FM, and an advisor, it's been long since ive heard him

MaMlangeni, gasela!

I read your question and I was not sure what you were asking, on top of that the response were all over the place. After reading this thread new entries section

It suddenly dawn on me that you were asking about our vocab.
I like to think that my Zulu vocab is up there, I would be the first to concede that I am not good with the technical expansions that you/Ciaa/Carten/Sibusiso make eg. locatives, class etc.
I understand that you are also valued contributor, going through the new entries it becomes obvious that you are good. I have also done my part, admittedly I don't check what's not in the dictionary, but look at these threads and tell me that I am contributing:
1 New entries on -Q-
2 Extensive list of Body parts

I've translated a few request, on which I think you could find words that might not be in the dictionary.


How do I then rate my vocabulary, I don't know you need to give us a scale that we can then measure ourselves against.

cha! bengingayibhekanga ngaleyo ndlela kodwa manje uma ngabe yiyona 'ndlela ebekwa ngayo kuncono umuntu athathe konke okwakhe azihambele aye ndawothize okanye avule esakhe isigungu, angeke ngikumele lokhu.

Hhayibo! There is a misunderstanding?

I mean what is one's vocabulary = how many words (or lemmas) does one know?

Perhaps my English vocabulary is 60 000 - 80 000 (wild guess)

isiZulu, not sure. Perhaps a few thousand these days?



@nqina dlamini -- Hawu! I would never judge any other contributor, all input is welcome, even that funny guy who upset Mshengu the other week

cha ngeke Mdavu. kunzima impela ukulinganisa...

...kunzima impela...

---Ciaa.

@Ciaa yebo akulula. The way I did it: I take the Pocket Oxford English dictionary and randomly flip a few pages. It seems I know at least 80% of the words on these pages.

The dictionary claims to have 100 000 entries, therefore my vocabulary should be 100000 x 80/100 = 80000

Do you have a Zulu dictionary? I never saw one actually, but out of curiosity I will check in Shuter & Shooter next time I am in town