Around this time last year we wrote about the plight of Hanna Koper and her two sisters, thought to be the last remaining speakers of the N|uu San language. Never previously recorded in writing N|uu is on the verge of extinction. In an effort to preserve the language for future generations, Hanna and her siblings have been working with linguists to design alphabet charts to record the consonants, vowels and ‘clicks’ that are typical of San languages, as well as setting down rules for spelling and grammar. The story came to the attention of film director, Davison Mudzingwa, who has now documented the incredible journey and in the process helped to raise awareness around the issue of this ‘lost tongue’. The documentary, which is currently showing at the Durban International Film Festival, tells the story from the point of view of Helena Steenkamp, a Khomani-San woman from the Kalahari, who is campaigning to revive the endangered N!uu language. The film has received critical acclaim, and is well worth watching!
Click here to find out more about the film, Lost Tongue, or visit Ster Kinekor Musgrave to book tickets.
Watch the trailer here