Throughout the novel, Precious Ramotswe is often referred to as Mma Ramotswe. The word Mma (pronounced phonetically) is a term of greeting and respect used widely in Botswana toward women, especially elders. Similarly, the term Rra (pronounced phonetically with a rolled “r”) is the equivalent term for men. Mma Ramotswe is also referred to as “mother” in the novel; this is a term of respect habitually given to older women by their juniors as a sign of deference. “Mma” and “Rra” are also used alone, syntactically similar to the US usage of “Ma’am” and “Sir,” although also used between close friends and equals. “Mma” and “Rra” are words in Setswana (also known as Tswana), the national language of Botswana that is widely spoken. English is Botswana’s official language and is the most widely spoken language, with the majority of the population speaking both English and Setswana, along with a mix of other languages to a lesser extent. The novel reflects a mix of English and Setswana words as used in everyday life and conversation, although, written for an Anglophone audience, English predominates throughout.

The occurrences of “witchcraft” and “witchdoctor” in the text are reflective of English words widely used in Botswana when referring to muti practices and their practitioners.