Afrikaans is a West Germanic language derived from Dutch, spoken primarily in South Africa and Namibia. It evolved in the 17th century among Dutch settlers, combining elements of Dutch, Malay, Portuguese, and indigenous African languages.
Afrikaans is one of South Africa's 11 official languages and is known for its straightforward grammar and vocabulary. It serves as a cultural identifier for many South Africans, particularly the Afrikaner community. Despite its controversial history during apartheid, Afrikaans remains a vibrant language used in literature, media, and education, reflecting the country's diverse heritage.
I had Afrikaner classmates at the university, but I was not aware of their language. I thought they were speaking Dutch. It was not until I learned Dutch that I began to realize that their language is uniquely African. Never before had I known that the Dutch colonizers left so many traces behind in South Africa. It is the opposite of the situation in the Dutch East Indies (the old name of Indonesia).
I find the Afrikaans language so much easier and more interesting than Dutch. Certainly, these two languages have evolved in their way, but they still share many similarities. The most notable difference is only simpler Afrikaans grammar. With a little bit of adaptation to its language structure and an online language exchange, I feel quite confident using Afrikaans (and also Dutch!). There are also cool Afrikaner singers I follow, like Die Antwoord, Jack Parow, and Snotkop.
Comments
Post a Comment