Z is for Zulu language
Today I want to put a spotlight on the Zulu language. Particularly on their word for the colour green 💚 Or should I say, their 39 words for the colour green 😮 Intrigued? Read on…

In Richard Lewis’ book, “When Cultures Collide,” he includes an anecdote about learning of the 39 Zulu words for green. In brief, his Zulu friend shows him a green leaf 🍃He shows it to him when the sun is shining, then when it is cloudy, when it is wet, when it is far away, when it is shaking with the wind etc. On each occasion, he asks Richard whether the leaf has changed colour (the answer is “yes”). For 39 different scenarios, the Zulu language has a separate word for that particular shade of “green.” 🤯

I love how this example illustrates how different cultures and languages approach life from completely different frames of reference. I, living my life in Australia, would never imagine I would need a specific word for “green-that-is-shining-and-wet.” Yet in understanding this requirement in the Zulu language, I gain a little bit of insight into their culture and the nuances of navigating their existence.

It also makes me greatly appreciate the role of translators and interpreters and the complicated, yet very valuable work they do in not only translating words, but their meaning and implications too! 👏

A-Z of Cross-Cultural Awareness
This blog post is part of a series of short posts on cross-cultural awareness. Keep an eye out for the rest of the series.