ABSTRACT
The main focus throughout the chapter will be on discourses of gender and power, as these themes are central to many of the songs. However, given the complexity of human beings, issues that impact on people’s lives and on their societies are usually hard to extricate and treat in isolation. Many theorists argue that the socio-cultural context in which translations take place should be considered when translating any text. Talking about the influence that the powerful exercise over public discourse, Scott argues that there is an interesting link between language use and power, and that ‘the history of male dominance has meant that women increasingly use men’s language – imitating the higher status dialect – while the reverse is rarely the case’. The songs analysed in the chapter reveal the deep-seated meanings and scope of gender and power inequalities in Zulu society. They serve as an indirect strategy for women to convey their real-life experiences, problems and suggested solutions.
