imported>Altenmann: /* Words in Sabela */ fix broken table

2025-12-02T03:49:31Z

Words in Sabela: fix broken table

New page

{{short description|South African linguistic register}}{{about||the South American language|Waorani language|the municipality in Nepal sometimes spelled Sabela|Sabaila, Nepal}}
{{Infobox language
| name = Sabela
| nativename =
| acceptance =
| image =
| imagesize = 
| imagealt =
| imagecaption =
| pronunciation = {{IPA|af|sabɛilɑː}}
| states =
| region =
| setting = [[South Africa]]
| ethnicity =
| extinct =
| speakers =
| ref = 
| refname =
| familycolor = Mixed
| family = Communication between inmates
| ancestor =
| notice = IPA
}}

'''Sabela''' is a covert communication [[dialect]] of several major [[South African languages]] formed by the [[The Numbers Gang|Numbers gang]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kgosana |first=Rorisang |date=28 April 2023 |title=How secret communication and codes run prison's Numbers gang |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-04-28-how-secret-communication-and-codes-run-prisons-numbers-gang/ |url-status=live |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA |archive-date=2024-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205031520/https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-04-28-how-secret-communication-and-codes-run-prisons-numbers-gang/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ravyse |first=Natasha E. |url= |title=Revisiting Ethnolinguistic Vitality: Language and Subcultural Repertoires |date=2021-12-28 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-51647-0 |language=en}}</ref> Sabela was originally developed in the mines during the early 1900's as a means of communication between the members of The Numbers Gang but as the gang's influence grew in various South African prisons, the language became eminent in prison and since then, released inmates have introduced it to the general populace of South Africa.<ref name="powerplayground">{{cite journal |last1=Saville |first1=Marco |last2=McKinney |first2=Carolyn |title=Power Playground |date=2017 |url=https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/item/28792/thesis_hum_2017_saville_marco.pdf |accessdate=18 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718170046/https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/item/28792/thesis_hum_2017_saville_marco.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> UkuSabela means to respond in various [[Nguni languages]].

==Structure==
Sabela inherits most of its vocabulary, [[phonology]], and [[syntax]] from [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] and [[Zulu language|Zulu]].<ref name="powerplayground" /><ref name="numbersgang">{{cite web |title=The Sabela |url=https://thenumbersgang.weebly.com/the-sabela.html |website=The Numbers Gang |accessdate=18 July 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120232354/https://thenumbersgang.weebly.com/the-sabela.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the Xhosa and Zulu influence, Sabela contains [[click consonants]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Onselen |first=Charles Van |url= |title=The Small Matter of a Horse: The Life of 'Nongoloza' Mathebula, 1867-1948 |date=1984 |publisher=Ravan Press |isbn=978-0-86975-239-5 |language=en}}</ref>

==Words in Sabela==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Examples of Words in Sabela<ref name="powerplayground" />
|-
! style="width:20%;"| Sabela
! style="width:20%;"| [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]
! English Literal Translation
! Meaning
|-
| '''Phakamisa'''
| {{IPA|[pəkəmisə]}}
| Confirmation / Agreement
| Used to show general approval or interest
|-
| '''Baitela'''
| {{IPA|[bəitelə]}}
| Gangster
| To leave something
| To leave a situation or an item
|-
| '''Biteeza'''
| {{IPA|[bajtizʌ]}}
| Food
| Food
|-
| '''Chise'''
| {{IPA|[tʃajs]}}
| Receive or to get / speak to someone
| Any situation in which one needs to get something
|-
| '''Lyn'''
| {{IPA|[līn]}}
| Line
| To go somewhere
|-
| '''Skrif'''
| {{IPA|[skrɪf]}}
| Writing
| An item that is significant or important
|-
| '''Nombor'''
| {{IPA|[nomɘr]}}
| Number
| In agreement in respect to the laws and ethics of the number. An object or situation of importance. (Direct allusion to [[The Numbers Gang]])
|-
| '''Skombizo'''
| {{IPA|[skɘmbizo]}}
| Gangster
| "A member of the 27 number gang"
|-
| '''Hom'''
| {{IPA|[hom]}}
| Gangster
| To make you aware
|}

==In popular culture==
===Die Antwoord===
Sabela is often used by groups associated with the [[Zef]] movement, such as [[Die Antwoord]]. The group's 2019 [[gqom]] single "Baita Jou Sabela" (featuring Slagysta) contains lyrics partially written in Sabela that talk about the South African prison system.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baita Jou Sabela Lyrics |url=https://genius.com/Die-antwoord-baita-jou-sabela-lyrics |website=Genius |accessdate=18 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718194309/https://genius.com/Die-antwoord-baita-jou-sabela-lyrics |url-status=live }}</ref> The song's music video showcases the corruption present in the South African prison system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francke |first=Robin-Lee |date=13 December 2019 |title=Watch: Die Antwoord's new music video slammed for 'insulting coloureds' |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/watch-die-antwoords-new-music-video-slammed-for-insulting-coloureds-39197924 |url-status=live |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=IOL |archive-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116160843/https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/watch-die-antwoords-new-music-video-slammed-for-insulting-coloureds-39197924 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-01 |title="Baita Jou Sabela", le nouveau clip du groupe Sud Africain Die Antwoord en featuring avec Slagysta |url=https://www.bewaremag.com/baita-jou-sabela-die-antwoord-slagysta/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Beware |language=fr-FR |archive-date=2023-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206050347/https://www.bewaremag.com/baita-jou-sabela-die-antwoord-slagysta/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRgUpRx1wE8 Music Video of Die Antwoord's "Baita Jou Sabela" (featuring Slagysta)]

[[Category:Languages of South Africa]]
[[Category:Prisons]]

Sabela - Revision history

imported>Altenmann: /* Words in Sabela */ fix broken table