I am watching the new Netflix series
@Parish and I was honestly surprised, in a good way at first, to hear Zimbabwe being mentioned right from the very first episode the Zimbabwean Flag features too.
Even more interesting was the inclusion of Shona lines. As a Zimbabwean, moments like that usually bring a sense of pride because it feels like a small part of our culture is being recognised on a global platform.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit conflicted about how the Shona language was portrayed. The way the lines were delivered sounded unnatural, almost mechanical. It did not feel like real, lived in Shona the way native speakers talk every day. Instead, it came across as forced and slightly exaggerated, which took away from what could have been a really powerful and authentic moment.
What confused me most is that there are actual Zimbabwean actors and actresses based in the United States who speak fluent, natural Shona and understand the cultural depth behind the language. It would have made so much sense to involve them or at least consult native speakers to make those scenes feel real. When language is done properly, it adds texture and authenticity to a story. When it is not it can feel like a missed opportunity.
That said, I still think Parish is a good series overall. The storyline is engaging and the production quality is strong. But I genuinely believe that Africa’s languages and cultures deserve better representation. If you are going to include Shona, it should sound like Shona as it is spoken by real people, not like robots reading words off a script.
I hope that as more global platforms continue to tell diverse stories, they will also learn to do it with deeper respect and cultural accuracy.