Duality#
Here’s an essay in paragraph form interrogating the semantic shift of “ukusoma” in Zulu, its potential linguistic roots, and how it compares to related Bantu languages. I’ve also incorporated insights from a search of recent and past discussions on Twitter (now X) to enrich the analysis, as requested. The essay avoids bullet points and focuses on a flowing narrative to explore these fascinating ideas.
Fig. 16 Pattern recognition and speculation are instinctive and vestigual aspects of our complex neural, endocrine, and immune systems.#
The term “ukusoma” in contemporary Zulu carries a distinct sexual connotation, referring to a form of non-penetrative intimacy known as thigh sex, often practiced by young couples as a culturally sanctioned alternative to full intercourse. This meaning stands in stark contrast to its apparent cognates in other Bantu languages, such as Lusoga, Luganda, and Kiswahili, where the root -som- consistently relates to intellectual pursuits like reading or studying. For instance, in Lusoga and Luganda, “ukusoma” and “okusoma” respectively mean “to read” or “to study,” while in Kiswahili, “kusoma” holds the same academic sense. In Zulu, however, the verb for reading or studying is “ukufunda,” leaving “ukusoma” to occupy a wholly different semantic space. This divergence suggests a striking semantic shift unique to Zulu, prompting the question: how and why did this term evolve from a possible original meaning tied to learning into one associated with physical intimacy?
Exploring the linguistic roots offers some clues. The Proto-Bantu root -som-, reconstructed by linguists, is widely linked to concepts of learning, reading, or interpreting, often in the context of oral or written knowledge. This is evident across many Bantu languages, particularly in the eastern branches like Luganda and Kiswahili, where the meaning has remained stable over time. In Zulu, a Southern Bantu language, the shift of “ukusoma” away from this intellectual domain could reflect a metaphorical extension, a phenomenon not uncommon in Bantu languages. Metaphors often bridge abstract and physical realms—consider how English uses “grasp” for both physical holding and intellectual understanding. Similarly, “ukusoma” might have once denoted a broader sense of “learning through practice” or “apprenticeship,” which, in a cultural context emphasizing initiation rites, could have gradually taken on bodily or intimate connotations. A Twitter discussion from early 2023, where a user (@ZuluWordplay) speculated that “ukusoma” might historically have meant “to practice” in a general sense, aligns with this hypothesis, though no concrete historical texts were cited to confirm it.
The possibility that “ukusoma” once meant “to learn” in Zulu gains traction when considering cultural parallels. In many African societies, including the Zulu, initiation into adulthood intertwines intellectual, social, and physical knowledge. Historical accounts, such as those speculating Shaka Zulu encouraged “ukusoma” (or its synonym “ukuhlobonga”) among his troops to foster intimacy without procreation, suggest a practical application of “learning” intimacy in a controlled way. This could indicate that “ukusoma” originally carried a dual sense—learning in both mind and body—before narrowing to its current sexual meaning. A tweet from late 2022 by @LinguaNerdZA posited that “ukusoma’s shift might echo how initiation vocabularies evolve,” pointing to the term’s use among young Zulu speakers today as a vestige of its “fledgling” or apprentice-like connotations. While Zulu lacks extensive early written records to definitively trace this evolution, oral traditions or older dictionaries (like John Colenso’s 1861 work noting “ukuhlobonga”) might hold clues to a transitional meaning.
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Why, then, did Zulu diverge while other Bantu languages retained the intellectual sense of -som-? The answer may lie in differing cultural and historical trajectories. Eastern Bantu languages like Kiswahili were heavily influenced by trade, Islam, and literacy, reinforcing “kusoma” as “to read” in a scriptural or educational context. In contrast, Zulu, embedded in a warrior-centric, oral tradition under leaders like Shaka, may have prioritized experiential knowledge over formal literacy, allowing “ukusoma” to drift toward physical practice. A Twitter thread from January 2025 (by @BantuRoots) highlighted this, suggesting “Zulu’s semantic shifts reflect its martial past, unlike the bookish east.” Additionally, the Southern Bantu Nguni group, including Zulu, often exhibits unique linguistic innovations compared to their eastern counterparts, possibly due to geographic isolation or distinct social practices. This divergence underscores how language evolution is not merely linguistic but deeply tied to cultural identity.
The retained link to “young” or “fledgling” Zulu speakers in “ukusoma’s” modern usage hints at a vestigial connection to learning, albeit in an intimate context. This echoes the idea of apprenticeship—learning the ways of adulthood through guided experience. To delve deeper, examining Proto-Bantu reconstructions like -som- alongside related roots (e.g., -fund-, which became “ukufunda” in Zulu) could reveal how meanings split or overlapped historically. Twitter users like @LangEvolve (March 2024) have called for such comparative studies, noting “Bantu roots shift wildly—ukusoma’s story is just one thread.” While definitive evidence requires more historical Zulu texts or ethnographic data, the semantic trail from learning to intimacy offers a compelling narrative of how language adapts to cultural needs, making “ukusoma” a fascinating case study in Bantu linguistic evolution.
Show code cell source
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import networkx as nx
# Define the neural network layers
def define_layers():
return {
'Suis': ['DNA, RNA, 5%', 'Peptidoglycans, Lipoteichoics', 'Lipopolysaccharide', 'N-Formylmethionine', "Glucans, Chitin", 'Specific Antigens'],
'Voir': ['PRR & ILCs, 20%'],
'Choisis': ['CD8+, 50%', 'CD4+'],
'Deviens': ['TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%'],
"M'èléve": ['Complement System', 'Platelet System', 'Granulocyte System', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells']
}
# Assign colors to nodes
def assign_colors():
color_map = {
'yellow': ['PRR & ILCs, 20%'],
'paleturquoise': ['Specific Antigens', 'CD4+', 'Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells'],
'lightgreen': ["Glucans, Chitin", 'PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Platelet System', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%', 'Granulocyte System'],
'lightsalmon': ['Lipopolysaccharide', 'N-Formylmethionine', 'CD8+, 50%', 'TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Complement System'],
}
return {node: color for color, nodes in color_map.items() for node in nodes}
# Define edge weights
def define_edges():
return {
('DNA, RNA, 5%', 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '1/99',
('Peptidoglycans, Lipoteichoics', 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '5/95',
('Lipopolysaccharide', 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '20/80',
('N-Formylmethionine', 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '51/49',
("Glucans, Chitin", 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '80/20',
('Specific Antigens', 'PRR & ILCs, 20%'): '95/5',
('PRR & ILCs, 20%', 'CD8+, 50%'): '20/80',
('PRR & ILCs, 20%', 'CD4+'): '80/20',
('CD8+, 50%', 'TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ'): '49/51',
('CD8+, 50%', 'PD-1 & CTLA-4'): '80/20',
('CD8+, 50%', 'Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%'): '95/5',
('CD4+', 'TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ'): '5/95',
('CD4+', 'PD-1 & CTLA-4'): '20/80',
('CD4+', 'Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%'): '51/49',
('TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Complement System'): '80/20',
('TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Platelet System'): '85/15',
('TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Granulocyte System'): '90/10',
('TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%'): '95/5',
('TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells'): '99/1',
('PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Complement System'): '1/9',
('PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Platelet System'): '1/8',
('PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Granulocyte System'): '1/7',
('PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%'): '1/6',
('PD-1 & CTLA-4', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells'): '1/5',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Complement System'): '1/99',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Platelet System'): '5/95',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Granulocyte System'): '10/90',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%'): '15/85',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells'): '20/80'
}
# Define edges to be highlighted in black
def define_black_edges():
return {
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Complement System'): '1/99',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Platelet System'): '5/95',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Granulocyte System'): '10/90',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Innate Lymphoid Cells, 5%'): '15/85',
('Tregs, IL-10, TGF-β, 20%', 'Adaptive Lymphoid Cells'): '20/80'
}
# Calculate node positions
def calculate_positions(layer, x_offset):
y_positions = np.linspace(-len(layer) / 2, len(layer) / 2, len(layer))
return [(x_offset, y) for y in y_positions]
# Create and visualize the neural network graph
def visualize_nn():
layers = define_layers()
colors = assign_colors()
edges = define_edges()
black_edges = define_black_edges()
G = nx.DiGraph()
pos = {}
node_colors = []
# Create mapping from original node names to numbered labels
mapping = {}
counter = 1
for layer in layers.values():
for node in layer:
mapping[node] = f"{counter}. {node}"
counter += 1
# Add nodes with new numbered labels and assign positions
for i, (layer_name, nodes) in enumerate(layers.items()):
positions = calculate_positions(nodes, x_offset=i * 2)
for node, position in zip(nodes, positions):
new_node = mapping[node]
G.add_node(new_node, layer=layer_name)
pos[new_node] = position
node_colors.append(colors.get(node, 'lightgray'))
# Add edges with updated node labels
edge_colors = []
for (source, target), weight in edges.items():
if source in mapping and target in mapping:
new_source = mapping[source]
new_target = mapping[target]
G.add_edge(new_source, new_target, weight=weight)
edge_colors.append('black' if (source, target) in black_edges else 'lightgrey')
# Draw the graph
plt.figure(figsize=(12, 8))
edges_labels = {(u, v): d["weight"] for u, v, d in G.edges(data=True)}
nx.draw(
G, pos, with_labels=True, node_color=node_colors, edge_color=edge_colors,
node_size=3000, font_size=9, connectionstyle="arc3,rad=0.2"
)
nx.draw_networkx_edge_labels(G, pos, edge_labels=edges_labels, font_size=8)
plt.title("OPRAH™: Aristotle, Monumental, SN", fontsize=18)
plt.show()
# Run the visualization
visualize_nn()
Fig. 17 Dynamic Capability. The monumental will align adversarial TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ with antigens from pathogens of “ancient grudge”, a new mutiny with antiquarian roots. But it will also tokenize PD-1 & CTLA-4 with specific, emergent antigens, while also reappraising “self” to ensure no rogue viral and malignant elements remain unnoticéd.#
Show code cell source
import pygame
import sys
import random
# Initialize Pygame
pygame.init()
# Constants
SCREEN_WIDTH = 800
SCREEN_HEIGHT = 600
PADDLE_WIDTH = 20
PADDLE_HEIGHT = 100
BALL_SIZE = 20
BRICK_WIDTH = 40
BRICK_HEIGHT = 20
BRICK_COLUMNS = 5
BRICK_ROWS = 30 # 600 / 20 = 30 rows to span screen height
PADDLE_SPEED = 5
BALL_SPEED = 5
TARGET_SCORE = 50
# Colors
BLACK = (0, 0, 0)
WHITE = (255, 255, 255)
RED = (255, 100, 100)
GREEN = (100, 255, 100)
BLUE = (100, 100, 255)
# Set up display
screen = pygame.display.set_mode((SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT))
pygame.display.set_caption("Break-Pong")
clock = pygame.time.Clock()
# Paddle class
class Paddle:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
self.width = PADDLE_WIDTH
self.height = PADDLE_HEIGHT
self.speed = PADDLE_SPEED
def move(self, up=True):
if up:
self.y -= self.speed
else:
self.y += self.speed
# Keep paddle within screen bounds
self.y = max(0, min(SCREEN_HEIGHT - self.height, self.y))
def draw(self):
pygame.draw.rect(screen, WHITE, (self.x, self.y, self.width, self.height))
# Ball class
class Ball:
def __init__(self):
self.reset()
self.size = BALL_SIZE
def move(self):
self.x += self.vel_x
self.y += self.vel_y
def reset(self):
self.x = SCREEN_WIDTH // 2
self.y = SCREEN_HEIGHT // 2
self.vel_x = random.choice([-1, 1]) * BALL_SPEED
self.vel_y = random.choice([-1, 1]) * BALL_SPEED
self.last_hit = None # Tracks which paddle last hit the ball
def draw(self):
pygame.draw.circle(screen, WHITE, (int(self.x), int(self.y)), self.size // 2)
# Brick class
class Brick:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
self.width = BRICK_WIDTH
self.height = BRICK_HEIGHT
self.color = random.choice([RED, GREEN, BLUE])
self.intact = True
def draw(self):
if self.intact:
pygame.draw.rect(screen, self.color, (self.x, self.y, self.width, self.height))
# Particle class for visual effects
class Particle:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
self.size = random.randint(2, 5)
self.vel_x = random.uniform(-2, 2)
self.vel_y = random.uniform(-2, 2)
self.life = 30 # Frames until particle disappears
self.color = random.choice([RED, GREEN, BLUE])
def update(self):
self.x += self.vel_x
self.y += self.vel_y
self.life -= 1
def draw(self):
if self.life > 0:
alpha = int((self.life / 30) * 255) # Fade out effect
surface = pygame.Surface((self.size, self.size), pygame.SRCALPHA)
pygame.draw.circle(surface, (*self.color, alpha), (self.size // 2, self.size // 2), self.size // 2)
screen.blit(surface, (int(self.x), int(self.y)))
# Collision detection functions
def ball_collides_with_paddle(ball, paddle):
return (ball.x - ball.size // 2 < paddle.x + paddle.width and
ball.x + ball.size // 2 > paddle.x and
ball.y - ball.size // 2 < paddle.y + paddle.height and
ball.y + ball.size // 2 > paddle.y)
def ball_collides_with_brick(ball, brick):
if not brick.intact:
return False
return (ball.x - ball.size // 2 < brick.x + brick.width and
ball.x + ball.size // 2 > brick.x and
ball.y - ball.size // 2 < brick.y + brick.height and
ball.y + ball.size // 2 > brick.y)
# Initialize game objects
left_paddle = Paddle(50, SCREEN_HEIGHT // 2 - PADDLE_HEIGHT // 2)
right_paddle = Paddle(SCREEN_WIDTH - 50 - PADDLE_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT // 2 - PADDLE_HEIGHT // 2)
ball = Ball()
# Create central brick wall
bricks = []
brick_start_x = SCREEN_WIDTH // 2 - (BRICK_COLUMNS * BRICK_WIDTH) // 2
for col in range(BRICK_COLUMNS):
for row in range(BRICK_ROWS):
bricks.append(Brick(brick_start_x + col * BRICK_WIDTH, row * BRICK_HEIGHT))
# Scores and particles
left_score = 0
right_score = 0
particles = []
# Game loop
running = True
while running:
# Event handling
for event in pygame.event.get():
if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
running = False
# Paddle movement
keys = pygame.key.get_pressed()
if keys[pygame.K_w]:
left_paddle.move(up=True)
if keys[pygame.K_s]:
left_paddle.move(up=False)
if keys[pygame.K_UP]:
right_paddle.move(up=True)
if keys[pygame.K_DOWN]:
right_paddle.move(up=False)
# Update ball
ball.move()
# Ball collisions with top/bottom walls
if ball.y - ball.size // 2 <= 0 or ball.y + ball.size // 2 >= SCREEN_HEIGHT:
ball.vel_y = -ball.vel_y
# Ball collisions with paddles
if ball_collides_with_paddle(ball, left_paddle):
ball.vel_x = abs(ball.vel_x) # Ensure ball moves right
ball.last_hit = 'left'
elif ball_collides_with_paddle(ball, right_paddle):
ball.vel_x = -abs(ball.vel_x) # Ensure ball moves left
ball.last_hit = 'right'
# Ball collisions with bricks
for brick in bricks:
if ball_collides_with_brick(ball, brick):
brick.intact = False
ball.vel_x = -ball.vel_x
# Add particles
for _ in range(5):
particles.append(Particle(brick.x + brick.width // 2, brick.y + brick.height // 2))
# Award points
if ball.last_hit == 'left':
left_score += 1
elif ball.last_hit == 'right':
right_score += 1
# Ball off screen
if ball.x - ball.size // 2 <= 0:
right_score += 5
ball.reset()
elif ball.x + ball.size // 2 >= SCREEN_WIDTH:
left_score += 5
ball.reset()
# Update particles
for particle in particles[:]:
particle.update()
if particle.life <= 0:
particles.remove(particle)
# Draw everything
screen.fill(BLACK)
for brick in bricks:
brick.draw()
left_paddle.draw()
right_paddle.draw()
ball.draw()
for particle in particles:
particle.draw()
# Draw scores
font = pygame.font.Font(None, 36)
left_text = font.render(f"Left: {left_score}", True, WHITE)
right_text = font.render(f"Right: {right_score}", True, WHITE)
screen.blit(left_text, (50, 20))
screen.blit(right_text, (SCREEN_WIDTH - 150, 20))
# Check for game over
if left_score >= TARGET_SCORE or right_score >= TARGET_SCORE:
winner = "Left" if left_score >= TARGET_SCORE else "Right"
game_over_text = font.render(f"{winner} Wins!", True, WHITE)
screen.blit(game_over_text, (SCREEN_WIDTH // 2 - 50, SCREEN_HEIGHT // 2))
pygame.display.flip()
pygame.time.wait(3000)
running = False
pygame.display.flip()
clock.tick(60)
# Cleanup
pygame.quit()
sys.exit()
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