For all those behind the times on Scamto, South Africa's popular language of the streets, here's the Township Talk Dictionary, a guide to South Africa's 12th language, scamto. Soon you'll become a chizboy, probably driving a G-string and sipping on Jesus & his Brothers (that's J&B!).
Learn more with this Dictionary, compiled by Lebo Motshegoa, who compiled the first ever township glossary, titled Scamto Dictionary, that won a Loerie in 2003/2004. The dictionary, which is available at leading book stores like Exclusive Books for 5 tiger (R50!), explores amongst other things, the history behind Township lingo.
For example, the language emanated in Sophiatown in the 50 & 60s... it was known as Tsotsi Taal and was developed to ensure privacy between the boys and their 'matharas'. Then the legacy continued and in the late 70s to 80s when 'Mapantsula' came into the picture. Mapantsula were notorious for their rough nature and behaviour. This dictionary tells how they wore expensive clothing and had expensive taste. Their girlfriends were known as 'Mshozas'.
Did you know ukuthi Black Label beer is also known as '10111'? Or that the latest BMW 330i is known as a 'half past three'? When you do get a copy of the Township Talk Dictionary, expect to see words like 'regte, pluck, stompie, cherry, dom kop, chizboy, four five' and many others that are spoken words in South African townships.
The Township Talk Dictionary does not only include the A-Z of township lingo, it has included the street nicknames of 'di transie' (cars), dice, street jargon for nyuku (money), words and phrases that give insight into urban black South Africans.
