Afrikaans: Delving into Ten Lesser-Known Facts

The Afrikaans language, with its rich tapestry of influences and distinctive sounds, has firmly established its place in the linguistic landscape of southern Africa. While its roots in Dutch are widely acknowledged, there’s much more to Afrikaans than meets the eye. Here are ten intriguing, lesser-known facts about this dynamic language:

1. Oldest Afrikaans Text:

The first known example of written Afrikaans can be found in a Muslim prayer book, “Bayān al-Dīn” (Explanation of the Religion), penned by Abu Bakr in the Arabic script in 1825. This goes to show that the evolution of Afrikaans as a distinct language can be traced back centuries.

2. Malay Influence:

It might come as a surprise, but Afrikaans has borrowed several words from Malay, due to the influence of the Malay slaves brought to South Africa by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries. Words such as “piesang” (banana) and “baie” (very/much) have Malay origins.

3. Language of Protest:

During the 1920s, there was resistance against Afrikaans replacing Dutch as one of South Africa’s official languages. This culminated in the “Skooltaalbeweging” (School Language Movement), where many protested using Afrikaans in schools.

4. Unique Dialects:

Afrikaans is not monolithic and boasts several dialects. The most prominent are “Kaapse Afrikaans” (Cape Afrikaans), “Oranjerivierafrikaans” (Orange River Afrikaans), and “Oosgrensafrikaans” (Eastern Border Afrikaans), each with its unique characteristics.

5. Khoisan Influence:

Afrikaans incorporates certain sounds that aren’t present in its parent Dutch language. These sounds, particularly certain click consonants, are believed to be influenced by the indigenous Khoisan languages.

6. Afrikaans in Namibia:

While closely associated with South Africa, Afrikaans also has a significant presence in Namibia. It serves as a lingua franca among different communities, and many Namibians speak it as a second language.

7. Afrikaaps:

“Afrikaaps” is a version of Afrikaans spoken in the Cape Flats region, influenced by various languages such as English, Xhosa, and Cape Malay dialects. It represents the multicultural heritage of the area and has even inspired a hip-hop musical of the same name.

8. World’s First Open Dictionary:

The “Afrikaanse Woordelys en Spelreëls” is considered the world’s first open-source dictionary. It’s an official guide to the Afrikaans language, and its open-source nature means that the public can contribute to its content.

9. Reduplicated Words:

Afrikaans often uses reduplication for emphasis. For instance, “now-now” (nou-nou) doesn’t mean “immediately,” but rather “in a little while.” Similarly, “bye-bye” (baaibaaie) means “very far.”

10. Afrikaans Literature:

Afrikaans literature is not as widely recognized globally, but it has produced Nobel Prize-winning authors like J.M. Coetzee. Literature in Afrikaans ranges from poetry to novels and plays, reflecting the vast cultural and historical experiences of its speakers.

Conclusion

Afrikaans is a testament to linguistic evolution, where diverse influences converge to create a unique language. From its unexpected origins in a Muslim prayer book to its rich literary heritage, Afrikaans continually surprises and delights linguists and language enthusiasts alike. As we delve deeper into its history and nuances, we’re reminded of the mosaic of cultures that have shaped and continue to shape this vibrant language.