African word for lion?
 

I have a pic from our recent trip to Botswana that I want to have framed, and want to put a brass plack on it but want to make sure I spell it correctly. I heard the guides talk about lions and they used the word 'tao' to describe them. I want to make sure that is the correct spelling. Thanks for any help.
Carol

Carol: that should be spelled Tau

Thanks so much!!! Glad I asked.. :)
Carol

There are of course many "African" languages. South Africa itself has 11 official ones, including English and Afrikaans! So although it is Tau in Setswana and Sesotho, it is different in (say) Zulu. (Not that I'm a linguist, I'm anything but!)

As in Duma Tau.

In Shangaan (Sabi Sand) it is Ngonyama.

We were only in Botswana and that's all I recall hearing the guides say, "Tau" .. I should have connected up Duma Tau, but didn't..

Of course to the rest of the world, "simba" is probably the most familiar word for lion in an African language!

I believe the Shangaan word for lion is 'Ngala' as in 'Ngala Camp.'

Cheers,
Julian

Julian

I believe there is more than one then, Ngonyama is used at Mala Mala, and is the first word in Gerald Hinde's excellent book about the reserve.

Perhaps different dialects -- when I was at Londoz (and Ngala) the guides and trackers used 'ngala'. Or the difference may be in the anglicisation of the spelling, which may not be standard.

Interestingly, I've found 'ingwe' used for leopard in several different languages.

So many ways to name a cat...

Cheers,
Julian

Carol - Still glad you asked? ;-)

This is why we standardize names in latin in the biology world -- too many common names for the same cat can be confusing, but Panthera leo is clearly the largest cat in Africa.

Even in the U.S. our largest resident cat (Felis concolor)reputedly has more names in the dictionary than any other animal including: mountain lion, cougar, puma, catamount, panther, Florida panther among others.

Carol,

Maybe you'd be attracted to Papa Lima, ;) from the phonetic alphabet (representing P.L., panthera leo) often used by guides to communicate over the radio if they're not using their native tongue.

cheers

My contributions...

Afrikaans: Leeu
Shona: Shumba
Ndebele: Isilwane
Shangaan: Nghala or N'shumba
Yei: Undavu
Zulu: Ngonyama
Sotho, Tswana, Lozi: Tau

Since your lion is a Botswana lion, you may want to just use Tau.

Madam
Presumably the photographical image which you are to label is not recognisable as the illustrious KING OF THE JUNGLE hence your need to attach a brass plaque to it (this is the correct English spelling of the word plack). To avoid any confusion on the identification of this beast, presuming of course that you were pointing your lense in the right direction, I humbly suggest that you label it Lion; spelt L I O N. This Madam is what we call it in Africa.

Africantroublemaker,

Shouldn't that be 'King of the Savannah' or 'King of the Plains'?

Cheers,
Julian

Julian
With respect, the magnificent, ubiquitous beast I speak of, remains, for me at least, the King of the Jungle.

If I am not mistaken, "spelt" is a grain, sometimes used instead of wheat in things like bread and pasta.

OK, botanically it could be a grass. I'd have to look it up..;-)

Gentlemen
It is late at night here in Africa and it was not my intention to enter into a foolish discourse on the English language. However spelt is one of two correct English spellings of the past or past part. of spell. I must emphazise though that here in Africa we speak English and not the abominable version of the language used in the Americas called American English.
On that note Gentlemen I shall now retire and await another splendid sunrise in Africa.
Your most humble servant,
The African Troublemaker