Researcher: Ms Nozuko Nguqu. Supervisor: Dr Patricia Opondo opondop@ukzn.ac.za
How and why are song and speech similar or different across cultures? Our study aims to address this question by collecting and analyzing audio and survey data of singing and speaking in diverse languages around the world. This particular application covers the contribution from isiZulu at UKZN, Howard College
Singing/speaking study: “Uyeph’unyoko Vinqo?”
-Are you age 18 or over?
-Can you sing the song “Uyeph’unyoko Vinqo?” by Maluju Z Recruitmentulu Theatre Production?
(Song: Uyeph’unyoko Vinqo?
Uyeph’unyoko we Vinqo? (Vinqo, where did your mother go?)
Usel’ekhaya Vinqo (She is left behind at home, Vinqo)
Usaleleni we Vinqo? (Why is she left behind Vinqo?)
‘Lunywe y’mbongolo Vinqo (The donkey bit her Vinqo)
Imlume kuphi we Vinqo? (Where about did it bite her Vinqo?)
Phansi kwesinqe Vinqo (At her gluteal fold area Vinqo)
Sinq’esinjani we Vinqo (What kind of area is that Vinqo?)
Simaphimbolo Vinqo (It’s a plump (y) one Vinqo)
Sawubona khanda lentulo, (Hello Satire’s head,)
Gay’umcaba Nkomo zobuy’es’bhatateni kwaMatikulu we Vinqo! (Crush the corn, the cows are about to come back from the sweet potato field at Matikulu Vinqo!)?
-Are you willing and able to sing and speak in IsiZulu? YES/NO
-Are you willing to share your singing/speaking voice with the world? YES/NO
-Do you have a phone or other device that can scan QR codes? YES/NO
We are recruiting participants for a study on cross-cultural relationships between speaking and singing. Participants will be paid R490 and the study will take less than one hour.
Time: A one-hour slot between 12h00-13h00, on either Friday, 27th February or 6th March 2026
Place: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Francis Stock Building, Bongani Mthethwa Lecture Room
RSVP: nozukonguqu0276@gmail.com
Approved by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Ethics Committee on 20th February, 2026, and valid for 1 year until 23 February,2027, Protocol Number HSSREC/00009997/2026
Approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 11 Dec 2023 for three years, Reference Number UAHPEC26969. Funded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi (22-UOA-052 & 22-UOA-040).