Be A Proud Damara

I COULD have written this in Damara/Nama, but the intention is for the rest of Namibians to also try and understand that the language is unique in its nature and to try and write or pronounce names or surnames the way they should be pronounced.

There is a need for all Damara orientated people to be proud of the

unique language they have.

The Damara or Khoekhoegowab has features no other language in

any other country shares:

 

1. The language has got clicks (sounds)(/, //, #, !) that

appears in front of some words to give meaning to a particular

word, and those words need to be spoken or written as such (with

the relevant click)

 

2. The other feature is that at the end of surnames you would

find either a "s" or "b".

 

That "s" or "b" differentiates between male or female.

 

So if a woman happens to marry a Damara or Nama man, she

replaces the "b" at the end of his surname to a "s".

 

3. The "x" in this language is pronounced as the "g" in

Afrikaans, therefore the "x" in the Damara language should not be

replaced by "ch" when written or spelled.

 

An example featuring all three points above: //Hawaxab - not

Hawachab I feel people should be proud of what they have.

 

When officials at public offices find it difficult to pronounce

or spell a name, then do not be shy to tell the person how it

should be.

 

I hope this letter will provoke debate on the much-loved

Damara-Nama Radio Station.

 

Well intended, no offence Proud Riemvasmaker Via e-mail

 

The Damara or Khoekhoegowab has features no other language in any

other country shares: 1. The language has got clicks (sounds)(/,

//, #, !) that appears in front of some words to give meaning to a

particular word, and those words need to be spoken or written as

such (with the relevant click) 2. The other feature is that at the

end of surnames you would find either a "s" or "b".That "s" or "b"

differentiates between male or female.So if a woman happens to

marry a Damara or Nama man, she replaces the "b" at the end of his

surname to a "s".3. The "x" in this language is pronounced as the

"g" in Afrikaans, therefore the "x" in the Damara language should

not be replaced by "ch" when written or spelled.An example

featuring all three points above: //Hawaxab - not Hawachab I feel

people should be proud of what they have.When officials at public

offices find it difficult to pronounce or spell a name, then do not

be shy to tell the person how it should be.I hope this letter will

provoke debate on the much-loved Damara-Nama Radio Station.Well

intended, no offence Proud Riemvasmaker Via e-mail

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