Xitsonga spelling error cited on new bank notes

South Africans have discovered a typo on the newly minted bank notes, where the Xitsonga term ‘bangikulu’ was ill-spelt as ‘banginkulu’ on prior currency.

According to new Xitsonga orthography, a /n/ was not supposed to be there, Xitsonga National Language Board (NLB) chairperson Arnold Mushwana, explained in a statement and therefore advised for the removal of a /n/ on current bank notes.

Mushwana excused that ‘bangikulu’ is a compound noun which is formed by two words, the noun being ‘bangi’ and the adjective stem ‘-kulu’ to form ‘bangikulu’.”The /n/ cannot be accounted to where it is coming from. As much as we cannot say bangi leyinkulu/yinkulu, we also can not say ‘banginkulu”.

He added that the /n/ is taken into account in a compound nouns which pertains to humans like ‘papankulu’, ‘mhaninkulu’, ‘matsalanankulu’, and so on. With little consideration of the fact that language evolve from time to time, some language orators resorted to the old orthography sparked a fuss.

It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks goes an adage which resonate to some language speakers who see no amiss with the old term and blame Xitsonga NLB of changing the language orthography without their approval.

Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) outlined that there were consultations between SARB and PanSALB and the terms were verified and attested by the Xitsonga NLB a statutory and advisory structures established in terms of the PanSALB act.

In conclusion, PanSALB confirmed that the words written in Xitsonga ‘Bangikulu’ as reflected on the new bank notes to be accurate and is consistent with the new spelling and orthography rules published by PanSALB in May, 2022.

Mushwana has advised Xitsonga speakers to visit PanSALB website and learn more about the revised language orthography and spelling rules.