🇿🇼 Episode 152. Speaking Shona & Ndebele | Speaking Tongues Language Podcast

Hello Language Lovers! Today, we’re thrilled to have Fari, a passionate language lover and multilingual originally from Zimbabwe, joining us from Vancouver. Fari’s diverse linguistic journey has given her a unique perspective on the languages and cultures of Southern and Eastern Africa.
In this conversation, we discuss:
🇿🇼 Fari’s first language, Shona, and her journey learning other languages such as Zulu, Ndebele, Swahili, Spanish, and more.
🇿🇼 The interconnectedness of Bantu languages and how understanding one can help you understand many others.
🇿🇼 Cultural nuances and respect embedded in the Shona language, especially when addressing elders.
🇿🇼 The impact of colonialism on Zimbabwean languages and culture, including the loss of traditional dress and the adoption of English names.
🇿🇼 The vibrant Zim Dancehall music scene, its roots, and how it reflects the struggles and triumphs of Zimbabwean life.
🇿🇼 The challenges of maintaining linguistic and cultural identity in the diaspora, especially among Zimbabweans in countries like England and Australia.
🇿🇼 The fascinating traditions and practices surrounding marriage and dowries in Zimbabwean culture.
🇿🇼 Fari’s personal experiences with language and culture, and her reflections on the importance of preserving and celebrating her heritage.
Thank you to Fari for sharing your incredible linguistic journey, your culture, and your insights with us. If you enjoy this episode of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on TH-cam so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long-time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!
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[@PaidaMuganhiri]

A very interesting discussion.

[@faraimichelletavengwa8542]

I had such a great experience speaking with you. Thank you for this experience.

[@speakingtonguespod]

My pleasure!!! Thanks for sharing your stories and perspectives!

[@safiasaid1213]

I loved listening to this and loved how you shared your life experience. Most people cannot even speak shona even if they have stayed in Zim for 6 years. Proud of you girl! And U are so right , you can only be good in your language if you have other people around you speaking the same language. I laughed when she said the cows are not in your apartment haha

[@michaelmaps2004]

Wow your esteemed guest was speaking from an outsider's perspective. If I was to debunk her talking points I would spend the rest of the day doing so but I'm glad you asked great questions only that the answers where not authentic at all. It's like they came from someone who only spent a few months in Zim. I'm sorry sister I'm not coming for you but you really misrepresented but it's quite an interesting podcast after all has been said and done

[@faraimichelletavengwa8542]

Thank you Michael, everyone has different experiences and perspectives based on their lives. I spent 6 years living Zimbabwe. I appreciate your perspective though.

[@byronmunyukitavengwa3347]

Please take note that she is discussing her experience with languages and is not representing anyone but herself.

[@safiasaid1213]

This podcast was about her own experience she also left Zim when she was also young so this is her own feedback.

[@byronmunyukitavengwa3347]

@@safiasaid1213 , Straight up!

[@speakingtonguespod]

Thanks for listening and for chiming in, Michael. Just please keep in mind that this is her story & her experience. On my show, I never want or expect anyone to be the spokesperson for an entire country or group of people. The aim of my podcast is to share stories , human perspectives, and lived experiences. I hope that if you choose to listen to this episode again, you can do so with this in mind. Zimbabwe is a nation full of people with rich backgrounds and the diaspora also contains multitudes. Thanks again🙏🏾