Afrikaans

Definition

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that evolved from the Dutch vernacular spoken by settlers in South Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emerged as a distinct language with influences from various languages, including indigenous African languages, Malay, Portuguese, and English, reflecting the multicultural interactions in the region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Afrikaans was officially recognized as one of South Africa's eleven official languages in 1994, symbolizing its importance in the country's cultural landscape.
2. The language has roots in the Dutch spoken by early European settlers, but over time it incorporated elements from local African languages and other immigrant languages.
3. Afrikaans is often considered one of the youngest languages in the world, having developed as a distinct language only in the late 19th century.
4. During apartheid, Afrikaans was promoted as a language of administration and education for white South Africans, leading to tensions with non-Afrikaans-speaking communities.
5. Today, Afrikaans is spoken by approximately 7 million people in South Africa and Namibia, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in those regions.

Review Questions

• How did Afrikaans evolve from its origins and what factors contributed to its development as a distinct language?
  • Afrikaans evolved from the Dutch vernacular spoken by settlers in South Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its development was influenced by interactions with indigenous African languages, Malay, Portuguese, and English. As these communities interacted socially and economically, the language absorbed elements from various cultures, leading to its recognition as a distinct language separate from Dutch by the late 19th century.
• Discuss the impact of the Dutch East India Company on the spread of Afrikaans and its role in shaping South African society.
  • The Dutch East India Company played a crucial role in establishing settlements at the Cape of Good Hope, which set the stage for the emergence of Afrikaans. As the company encouraged Dutch immigration for trade purposes, settlers began interacting with indigenous peoples and slaves from other regions. This melting pot environment allowed Afrikaans to develop unique characteristics that reflected its diverse origins while also influencing South African society through culture, agriculture, and trade.
• Evaluate the implications of apartheid policies on the status of Afrikaans in South Africa's linguistic landscape post-1994.
  • Apartheid policies significantly elevated Afrikaans as a language of government and education for white South Africans while marginalizing other languages. After the end of apartheid in 1994, there was a push for linguistic equality that recognized multiple languages in South Africa. This shift led to debates about Afrikaans' status and relevance within a multicultural society, prompting discussions about inclusivity while navigating its complex historical legacy tied to oppression and identity.

Related terms

Dutch East India Company:

A trading company founded in 1602, responsible for establishing and managing trade routes and colonies in Asia and southern Africa, leading to Dutch settlement in regions like Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Colony: A colony established by the Dutch in the 17th century at the southern tip of Africa, which became a major center for European settlement and agriculture, significantly influencing the development of Afrikaans.

Apartheid: A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s, which impacted language policies and the status of Afrikaans within the country.