User talk:Fiso.dlamini

Question

Hi,

I am collaborating on Zulu Wikipedia and would like you to give your opinion on this issue[1].

Could you give us your suggestion? Thanks. DARIO SEVERI (talk) 01:50, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Yes I can help you and I do know Zulu, as it is my home language. However, I am new in Wikipedia and I still need to familiarize myself with the way things are done here. For example, I do not know where exactly you need me to fix. May you at least give me a direct link straight to those articles so I can fix them there. (Unsigned reply by User:Fiso.dlamini 12:12, 18 uNcwaba 2017 )

Where to help

(Continued from previous section)

I don't think we understand each other very well. May you please give me the specific article you need help with? Fiso.dlamini (talk) 16:00, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Fiso.dlamini, thank you so much for joining the editing efforts here! On my User page I've described my current activity, using Wikipedia tools but without knowing the Zulu language. With your help, I can make better progress and I will gladly help you learn the platform for your own use. What topics interest you? -- Deborahjay (talk) 16:22, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Hi Fiso.dlamini, it is a huge task for us to try to improve this Wikipedia because we do not know the language so your help is very welcome, thank you very much for this. DARIO SEVERI (talk) 02:14, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Hi DARIO SEVERI, I appreciate what you are doing for my language, and I will do my best to contribute. Like I said yesterday, I am recruiting a team of friends who will help me in this. It is very fortunate that over the years I have been paying very close attention to the things that the Zulu language lacks, so I know exactly what my team needs to tackle. For example, the Zulu language has not evolved over the years to meet the new age of language use, no new technological terms have been created etc. Which is why it has been subject to abuse when it comes to new word-creation (Everyone uses the new words as they see fit).

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 05:13, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Topics of Interest

(Continued from previous section) When I joined Wikipedia I only did it as hobby, hence I did not have any topics of interest in mind. For now I will be glad to contribute where there is more need while I learn everything about the platform.

I am currently recruiting my Zulu friends who can also help, because I now understand that there is a shortage of Zulu editors. (Unsigned reply by User:Fiso.dlamini 16:39, 18 uNcwaba 2017‎)

• Note: HOW TO sign/date your comment: When writing on an article's Talk page or on an editor's User talk page, type four tilde signs (the ~ mark) at the end of your comment. This displays your User name (as a link), a link to your User talk page, and the system date and time in the local WP language. -- Deborahjay (talk) 17:17, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Help is greatly appreciated, and you'll see the results soon! Right now I need a minimal set of categories to fix the problem pages described here. Here are my translation queries:

• Category:Amabhendi - what does this mean? "Bands"?
• Category:Amabhendi weMzansi‎ - what does this mean? "Bands ... ..."?
• isiZulu names for categories: "Bands from South Africa" / "Bands from America" / "Bands from Russia" / "Bands from England" / "Music"

What does beginning your line with a colon mean?

To indent a line of text - type one colon for each space. This is automatic when your reply is long and "wraps" to more than one line. (This time I added extra indenting to separate this reply from your answers that follow. I also indented your signature below, following the answers you provided to my three translation queries above.)

• Note: HOW TO see examples of the Wiki Markup Language (similar to HTML), view the "edit source" version of the page, Hlela umthombo. This is HOW TO borrow formatted content from one article-page to another. -- Deborahjay (talk) 21:44, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

• Category:Amabhendi - This is supposed to mean bands but it is a wrong way of writing it. A Musical Band is 'Iqembu Lomculo', and then a 'Band' becomes 'Iqembu', which also means a 'Group'.
• Category:Amabhendi weMzansi - This is supposed to mean 'South African Bands', but once again, it is wrong, completely wrong. 'Mzansi' is supposed to mean 'South', which is short for 'South Africa', but unfortunately, it is not Zulu. It is Xhosa. In Zulu it is 'Amaqembu Omculo Ase Ningizimu Afrikha', translating to 'Musical Bands from South Africa', but if the subject is already about the music, then you can just say, "Amaqembu ase Ningizimu Afrikha", which translates "Bands from South Africa".
• isiZulu names for categories: "Amaqembu ase Ningizimu Afrikha" / "Amaqembu ase Melika" / "Amaqembu ase Lashiya" / "Amembu ase Ngilandi" / "Umculo"

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 20:38, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Because of the differences in your suggested changes to existing Category names, and also variations between suggested new Category names - I'm going to rewrite my queries so we'll agree on a structure for the names. The models come from the larger (e.g. English) Wikipedias. I'll also create a special page for language queries, not here on your User talk page! -- Deborahjay (talk) 21:49, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

No problem, as long I get the link to those pages. I have noticed that there are many wrong things on this Zulu Wikipedia. I edited part of 340ml band. I am hoping you can visit the page, just to get a clue how it is supposed to be written in proper Zulu.

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 22:10, 18 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

I've started the process of creating a WikiProject for maintenance of ZU WP for pages like these. I'll update you soon! -- Deborahjay (talk) 11:15, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Eight orphan articles...

...created exactly four years ago today (!), in just over an hour's time, by a one-time editor. This link shows the Edit history (Amanikelo ami) of User :Siyabonga Nxumalo: eight new articles, each marked with N. The information I need to improve them: what does the page name mean (Google Translate ZU:EN is useless for these), so I can search a similar existing articles in other languages (English?), and would you suggest at least one Category (which we may need to create soon):

• Isiphethu - Spring
• Ukhandashisa - Hothead or Stubborn
• UNongoloza - May mean both Convict or ex-convict
• UNgelekejane - Gang leader
• Ingqalabutho - ‎Pioneer
• Ibhantinti - Convict and also sometimes ex-convict (see Unongoloza above)
• Imvulamlomo - money paid before before commencement of lobola negotiations
• Undabazabantu - Home Affairs

There's space beside each page name above for you to type the info. At your own pace will be fine! Thank you! -- Deborahjay (talk) 11:47, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Deborahjay, I don't understand what this contributor meant by Amanikelo Ami. I have never heard of this before. It was probably directly translated from English, which would make it even more difficult, unless he comes back and tells us where he got it from. The reason why I say that the title must have been directly translated from English is because this contributor seems to have very good knowledge of the Zulu language; from the spelling, grammar, even knowledge of history and derivation of the words he wrote, but I don't know his understanding of English, which I doubt much since he used a title like this. If I were to directly translate this title in its wrong form I would say, My Contributions, and I think that's exactly what he meant. Fiso.dlamini (talk) 13:26, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

To clarify (and apologies if I misled): the term "Amaikelo ami" is a standard Wikipedia page, in English is User contributions for one's own contributions (when starting on the User page) or another User (with that User's name for the Search function). Each one of the entries also appears, with the User's name and date/time stamp, on an article's page called View history or Past revisions (zu: Bona umlando). These are displays of retrieved information on Wikipedia activity - I frequently view my own and those of collaborating editors (like yourself!) - where in User activity the most recent edit will be marked current - and if not, you click on the article page name and view its history or Past revisions to see subsequent changes. That's where you select a radio buttons for each of two edits to display Compare selected revisions. You'll learn this utility as you practice with it - this is immensely useful. -- Deborahjay (talk) 14:03, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

On the other hand I have translated everything to English so that you properly understand my recommendations. I believe that most work of this contributor belongs to the dictionary - if you have such, not encyclopedia. Fiso.dlamini (talk) 13:26, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

If these are mainly dictionary-type definitions, they would be better placed in the Zulu Wiktionary. None of these terms exist there at present. Do you want to add them there? Only if you think the definitions are good, because you would be the page creator. I wouldn't do this myself because I don't know isiZulu. Your User name should appear in Wiktionary just like here.-- Deborahjay (talk) 14:17, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

As for these eight pages now in ZU WP: Let me know what you decide about adding their content to Wiktionary. Then we can deal with these pages here by adding a suggestion to each article's Talk page. For example: UNongoloza and Ibhantinti may belong as topics on the same page, titled like en:Prison. -- Deborahjay (talk) 14:29, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Trevor Jones

I added some content to the Trevor Jones page in English and translated a few words en:zu. Would you please translate the rest of the first sentence, and any words in the Info box even if for now they're only "red links" ("Page does not exist")? Thank you! -- Deborahjay (talk) 20:07, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

I finished editing the top part. I don't know what I did wrong, some info disappeared but this is what the rest is supposed to be like:

• Name = Igama
• Date of Birth = Usuku Lokuzalwa
• Pace of Birth = Indawo Yokuzalwa
• Genre = uhlobo
• Occupation = Umsebenzi
• Instruments = Izinsimbi
• Years Active = Iminyaka Esembonini

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 20:54, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

We just learned something about the Infobox by trial-and-error: the parameter names stay in English but display in isiZulu - why one is red, we'll have to discover by inspecting the Infobox template. You can "Compare selected revisions" between your edit and mine, to see the specific changes side-by-side, then scroll down to see the display version. The content you expanded is excellent - I'm honored to be your collaborator. One other discovery: the red link Ningizimu Afrikha evidently requires a different spelling here: Ningizimu Afrika. Similarly, I saw differences in how you wrote "born on" compared with the wording I'd copied from other ZU WP pages. Eventually I'll survey the standard wordings already in use so we can conform to a standard where it isn't incorrect (though you may prefer another form...?). -- Deborahjay (talk) 21:22, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Developing collaborative action on existing pages

(Continued from above; first paragraph duplicated)

We just learned something about the Infobox by trial-and-error: the parameter names stay in English but display in isiZulu - why one is red, we'll have to discover by inspecting the Infobox template. You can "Compare selected revisions" between your edit and mine, to see the specific changes side-by-side, then scroll down to see the display version. The content you expanded is excellent - I'm honored to be your collaborator. One other discovery: the red link Ningizimu Afrikha evidently requires a different spelling here: Ningizimu Afrika. Similarly, I saw differences in how you wrote "born on" compared with the wording I'd copied from other ZU WP pages. Eventually I'll survey the standard wordings already in use so we can conform to a standard where it isn't incorrect (though you may prefer another form...?). -- Deborahjay (talk) 21:22, 19 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Thank you User:Deborahjay, I'm honoured to be your collaborator too. Most standard wordings already in use here are wrong and some are not even proper Zulu. What do we do in such case? Fiso.dlamini (talk) 07:12, 20 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

At this point, as you've noted recently, you're gaining familiarity with the platform. Keep comparing the standard terms used for page parameters and standardized content texts (e.g. first lines and section headings in biography, geography), which we aim to confirm or replace with correct ones. Since you and I both work in English and the EN WP is the largest and most developed Wikipedia, it provides a comprehensive framework. I'll soon approach the Wikimedia staff (one of whom at the global level, I can contact personally). Now I'm awaiting a reply on creating a maintenance WikiProject in ZU WP and will update you with all developments. I see you already stay tuned in, and I appreciate that greatly! -- Deborahjay (talk) 07:34, 20 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Thank you, Deb. I have assembled my Zulu team. I have been briefing them one-by-one for two days now. Fiso.dlamini (talk) 07:53, 20 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

Oh, how good of you to discover the name my family calls me! You're welcome to do so. This is excellent news! Be sure to make clear: every edit we do while signed in with our User name is logged as User contributions - a reason to write an Edit summary for each action. This serves for retrieval and tracking by ourselves, each other, and anyone. To me, it's a source of pride: showing my volunteer efforts to share knowledge with the world in the most accessible way possible, and I invite all of you to share in this - the work and the pride! -- Deborahjay (talk) 08:31, 20 uNcwaba 2017 (UTC)

4-5 September - where we're at

Good to see you here at the ZU WP, User:Fiso.dlamini, and thanks for your edits of 4 September! With that information, I did some further edits on the topics in question. The others I'll do tomorrow, as some involves changes in Wikidata. Today I was creating new categories based on the ZU Portals - the top-level topics at the upper right of Ikhasi Elikhulu. Another place I've discovered for structure and content is Wikipedia:Vital articles, where I've added the ZU page name where one exists, and putting a reduced-size English translation beside it. That page gives a thousand suggested topics of general, global knowledge. It can be a model for a localized list of vital pages for Category:amaZulu and Category:iNingizimu Afrika. I'm also working on the special maintenance pages, replacing English-language "wanted pages" and "wanted Categories" with ZU pages and Categories - even if these have yet to be created (appearing in red, not blue)! I'll explain more after next week. Wishing you success with your work! -- Cheers, Deborahjay (talk) 20:33, 5 uMandulo 2017 (UTC)

Zulu language expertise required!

Hello, Fiso! You're invited to look at the task I structured on Category talk:Izihloko. It's about naming the top-level categories in isiZulu, to be created for immediate and future use. -- Cheers, Deborahjay (talk) 12:58, 12 uMandulo 2017 (UTC)

Good to see you here

Glad to see you here on the Zulu Wikipedia, Fiso! Thank you for writing on my User talk page. I would definitely like to do more to improve this project. After the weekend I'll look back over my unanswered questions from isiZulu and send you those links. Be well! -- Deborahjay (talk) 20:41, 12 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Pleasure

My pleasure Deb. Anytime. :) Oh my! it's been a while. I even forgot how these things work. 😂

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 06:37, 13 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Free encyclopedia

Hi,

Thank you for your contributions to the Zulu Wikipedia!

The Zulu Wikipedia doesn't have its own translated logo. The current logo is written in English.

Can you please translate the words "The Free Encyclopedia"?

The current main page says "Umqulu wolwazi lwamahhala", however, I'm not sure that "lwamahhala" is correct. The word "Free" must be in the sense of "liberated, unlimited", and not in the sense of "zero dollars". If "lwamahhala" is correct also in the sense of "liberated", then it's probably OK.

Once you give me the full verified translation for "The Free Encyclopedia", I'll make sure to update the graphic.

Thanks! --Amir E. Aharoni (talk) 11:38, 27 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Amir, the correct version is "Umqulu-wolwazi wamahhala." I have removed an "L" in the last word. The reason for that being that "Lwamahhala" means "The information is for free" while "Wamahhala" means "The encyclopaedia is for free".

I have also hyphenated Umqulu-wolwazi so that it reads as one word. That is because the word 'encyclopaedia' does not exist in the Zulu language, hence we joined the two words; umqulu which means 'a book' and wolwazi which means 'of information'. When translated back into English it reads "A book of information that is for free." "Umqulu-wolwazi wamahhala."

I hope my explanation is clear enough.

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 18:34, 28 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Thank you!

There is something that I need to verify. You say that "wamahhala" means "for free".

Does it mean "for free" in the sense of "free food" or "free beer", or also "free" as in "liberated", "free man"?

I've seen in one online dictionary, that there is also the root -khululeka. Maybe it will be better? --Amir E. Aharoni (talk) 18:49, 28 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

"Wamahhala" means 'for free' as in "free food". For the sense you're trying to make; "Liberated" or "Free man", we ought to use "ongachemile" which means "unbiased". "Umqulu-wolwazi ongachemile", "The unbiased encyclopaedia".

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 19:14, 28 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Hmm, "unbiased" is not exactly that. Wikipedia is supposed to be unbiased, but "free" is a different thing.

What do you think about "Umqulu-wolwazi okhululekile"?

Or maybe "Umqulu okhululekile wolwazi"? --Amir E. Aharoni (talk) 10:10, 29 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

Coming to think of it, we may use "okhululekile", though we're not used to using it that way. The correct format for that one is "Umqulu-wolwazi okhululekile".

Fiso.dlamini (talk) 15:59, 29 uNhlangulana 2019 (UTC)

A message for you...

(...was mistakenly posted on my User talk page so I'm posting it here in hopes of your reading it.)

Hi Fiso Dlamini Ndicela umsebenzi nemali Ndihleli njee Andiphangeli Ndinabantwana bayi two Ngu Lutho Mjame No Siphesihle Mjame andinandawo hlala Ndicela mpendulo Ndilaphe Nqamakwe khothane Emission Edutywa udlula khona icode Ngu 5000 mna ndingu Nomfusi Mjame Ndihlala Nomama Noxa Selegugile plz plz plz plz plz ndiyacela Ozithobileyo Nomfusi Mjame
My Number is 0732872881 Ndiyabulela Ngokufumani thuba Lokubandinibhlalele plzplz ndincedeni Enkc
Nomfusi Mjame Unsigned message posted 18:25, 28 uNcwaba 2020‎ by IP user 41.115.114.78