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0 viewsHello, sawubona, molo, dumela, hallo, howzit china, hola, eish !!*!#?!…
The World Cup 2010 was an iconic moment in time that celebrated diversity, inspired cultural exchange and promoted a new way for South Africans to shine and interact with each other. Now what? We simply can’t wait for another big unifying event on an international scale to make us recognise our common ground. That’s why we need to go back to basics and for Gina Levy, a social entrepreneur who’s passionate about making South Africans more connected, that starts with language. Whether its a gesture, a slang expression or a fluent rendition of the anthem, we need a sustainable common denominator to bring South Africans together and keep them united.
“I believe in finding innovative ways to turn social issues into fun business opportunities that will also make a huge social impact”. Quoting Madiba, she says, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart’.”
That’s why she has created translate sa™ multi-lingual, multi-cultural fridge magnets. They’re educational, entertaining and interactive. You don’t have to go back to school or take a course, you just have to go to the fridge to start speaking “S’African”, ek sê, plus it’s a real lag, SEE-RI-OUSSSSSS!!!
Packaged in food containers with tongue-and-cheek product information, the original, fresh and clever fridge magnets are available in a variety of packs. Home-made Lingo helps build simple conversations using daily vocabulary in a choice of 5 local languages (English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans – including pronunciation tips). Slup Slango, Traditional Township Slango and Stewed Rainbow Lingo aim to expand slang repertoires. There’s also Kid’s Lunch-Box Lingo (a variety of curriculum-aligned themes with a parent/teacher instruction guide) which can give children starting school a multi-lingual advantage.
Michelle Wicken, who recently purchased a few translate sa™ packs, laughs as she recollects a braai at home. “I recently had some friends over who saw my little collection on the fridge. This sparked a whole laughing session reading all of the slang definitions…it was great fun, or should I say it was flippin’ lekker!”
translate sa™ is for all South Africans – locals and expats, young and old, progressive parents & substitute teachers, your next door neighbour & the Minister of Finance, car-guards, tannies, black diamonds, larnies, kugels, mabojwas, cuzins, chinas, cherries, and your ma.
translate sa™ has teamed up with Ikamva Labantu (the Future of Our Nation) by creating work opportunities to help unemployed youth in South Africa become income generators.
Visit www.translatesa.co.za