COVID-19, kovhidhi, dzihwamupengo: Language use, language change, and pandemic perceptions among Shona-speakers in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Through an examination of the linguistic practices encountered and used by Shona language-speakers in Zimbabwean city Gweru, this study explores intersections between language use, change, perceptions COVID pandemic—as caused virus referred to Gweru’s Shona-speakers as, variously, “COVID-19” its English-language representation or “kovhidhi” “dzihwamupengo” two most common Shona-language representations. The is anchored conceptions impacts that natural disasters pandemics have on communication needs, theories semiotics change. research finds predominant terms relation pandemic carry connotations that, socio-cultural context, potentially undermine optimal responses pandemic. article concludes emphasising importance careful management as a critical resource fight against pandemics.