The South African National Anthem
(Various Translations)
Our National Anthem is usually (if not always) translated only into English. This being a country with 11 official languages and a people majority of whom do not speak English as their first language, its translation into other languages might help people understand and enjoy it. I have started with as many languages as I can. The rest will hopefully follow as you send in your own translations.
The following translations will almost inevitable have mistakes. I tried – using my relatively limited knowledge of most South African languages and relying heavily on online translations and dictionaries – to give translations to fit my understanding of the Anthem, so they will almost inevitably have many mistakes. The purpose of this project is not so much to provide accurate translations as it is to provide a basis from which to start. Corrections & discussions are very much encouraged.
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[Official Anthem]:
Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo.
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi, sikelela,
Thina, lusapho lwayo.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho
O se boloke, O se boloke
Setjhaba sa heso
Setjhaba sa South Africa
South Africa!
Uit die blou van onse hemel
Uit die diepte van ons seë
Oor ons ewige gebergtes
Waar die kranse antwoord gee;
Sounds the call to come together
And united we shall stand
Le us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa, our land!
~
[Sefetolelo sa seSotho – Pina Ya Setjhaba Sa Afrika Borwa]:
[My grasp of seSotho is very limited so this translation is likely to be full of errors. Again, corrections & better translations are welcomed and encouraged].
Morena hlohonolofatsa Afrika
Ha a phahamisoe moya [lenaka] waso
Utlwa di thapelo ya rona
Morena, hlohonolofatsa
Rona, lelapa la yona
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho
O se boloke, O se boloke
Setjhaba sa heso
Setjhaba sa Afrika Borwa
Afrika Borwa!
Ko boputswa ba lehodimo la rona
Ko botebo ba lewatle la rona
Hodimo ka dithaba tsa rona tse di sa feleng
Ko diphoko di kgutla ko teng karabo;
Ho duma mobitso wa ho kopanya
Mme re tla ema le kopane
Ha re phelele lesebeletse tokoloho
Mo Afrika Borwa, lefatshe la rona!
~
Links
http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/anthem.htm#.U2Dq_K2Swmc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_anthem_of_South_Africa
http://www.isizulu.net
http://bukantswe.sesotho.org/
http://www.majstro.com/dictionaries/Afrikaans-English http://bukantswe.sesotho.org/
The Anthem: http://users.atw.hu/szbszig/south%20africa.mp3
Vocals Only: http://www.brandsouthafrica.com/media/football_toolkit/SA_National_Anthem.mp3
Instrumental: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/South_Africa_National_Anthem.ogg
South African Lyrics 