kanalah, verb intransitive
/kaˈnala/
- Forms:
- Also kanala, kanallah.
- Origin:
- MalayShow more Adaptation of Malay karna Allah with the help of God.
Especially in the Cape Malay community: to help or care for (someone); to please. Also an element in combinations, as:
1951 L.G. Green Grow Lovely 177There is a strong camaraderie among the Malays, and when one builds a house he calls on the craftsmen among his friends to help him. This is called ‘Kanalawerk’, or done to please a friend. (‘Kanala’ is the Malay word for ‘please’.)
1981 Sunday Times 12 July (Mag. Sect.) 1‘Kanalah’ is such a word, and it is most descriptive of the attitudes in the community. ‘To kanalah’ means to help, and it places an obligation on the person asked, no matter how difficult it might be...At one stage the practice was so widespread that District Six was known as ‘Kanalahdorp’!
to help or care for (someone); to please. Also an element in combinations, as:
- Derivatives:
- Hence kanalah verbal noun, caring.1992 L. Van Hoven in S. Afr. Panorama May–June 4The casual visitor is unaware that the spirit of kanallah — a Malay word referring to ‘caring’ or ‘looking after each other’ — is still active here.
Copyright © 2019 Dictionary Unit for South African English.
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