Reference to the cartoon which depicts poor Africans “vuvuzelling” (or “vuvuzeling” if you prefer) away in a carefree manner while other people walk away with briefcases full of millions of dollars and other currencies from vuvuzela sales is definitely good food for thought. But beyond the issue of ownership of the vuvuzela is also that of ownership of the English or any other language which goes with it. South Africa FIFA World Cup 2010 did not simply popularise the vuvuzela; it also helped enrich the world and its languages with new vocabulary items or neologisms derived from the word vuvuzela.
In English the original noun has given birth to brand new words, namely the noun vuvu, vuvuze, vuvuzel and the gerunds vuvuzeling (or vuvuzelling) and vuvuing. And though the logically derivable verb is still rare, there is every indication that to vuvuzel is a natural development to expect, together with vuvuzeled or vuvuzelled in the past and past participle, and why not vuvuzellingly as a possible adverb. The nouns vuvuzelation, vuvuzelism and vuvuzelist, have also been recorded. And although many contemplate the idea of vuvuzel filter, anti-vuvuzel filter, vuvu repellent, vuvu stopper/vuvu-stopper earplug or simply vuvu ban (compound formations), the beat from the vuvu blower, vuvu band, vuvu-samba, vuvu-horn/trumpet, vuvu pipe, vuvu sound, or vuvu-like sound, goes on and on! Vuvu pride, vuvu-mania or vuvumania is seemingly unstoppable, as there is no vuvu war in view, vuvu-phobia notwithstanding.
In French, the verb vuvuzeler/vuvuzéler or vuvuzeller (or more appropriately vouvouzeleras some have suggested, and rightly so) and all possible derived forms have been introduced. Anyhow, the occurrence of the following finite forms is to be expected too, in conformity with first group verbs like appeler : vouvouzelle (to go with the first and third persons singular in the present tense), vouvouzelles (second person singular), vouvouzelons, vouvouzelez, vouvouzellent, vouvouzelais, vouvouzelait, vouvouzelions, vouvouzeliez, vouvouzelaient, vouvouzelerai, vouvouzeleras, vouvouzelera, vouvouzelerons, vouvouzelerez, vouvouzeleront, vouvouzelai, vouvouzela, vouvouzelas, etc.. What of the nouns vuvu-phobie/vouvouphobie, vouvouphobe, vuvu-pathie, vouvoupathie, vouvoupathe, vouvoucratie, vouvoucrate, vuvuzette/vouvouzette, vouvouzellement, vouvoumania, vuvuzeliste/vouvouzeliste, vuvuzeleur/vouvouzeleur andvuvuzel(l)age/vouvouzelage?
In Spanish, the verb vuvuzelar (just as vuvuzelear) has been created. Consequently, derived forms like vuvuzelo, vuvuzelas, vuvuzelamos, vuvuzelais, vuvuzelan, vuvuzelando, vuvuzelismo, vuvuzelista, vuvuzelación, vuvuzelaciónes, vuvuzelamente, etc. are definitely no surprise.
This is just the tip of the language enrichment iceberg brought in by the South African word vuvuzela. And there are thousands and thousands of such items that African languages can contribute to world lexicons and dictionaries. Africans themselves should be able to take the lead and effectively reap financial benefits from lexicographical works and dictionary productions which bring out such wealth of knowledge to the rest of the world.
Please, let us know what impact the word vuvuzela has had on your own language(s), or simply react to this post.
