AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE Meaning and
Definition
-
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in South Africa and Namibia. It is one of the eleven official languages in South Africa and is known for its rich linguistic history.
The Afrikaans language originated from the Dutch spoken by Dutch colonizers during the 17th century. As colonization progressed, Dutch began to evolve under the influence of various other languages, including indigenous African languages, Malay, Portuguese, and French. The resulting language came to be known as Cape Dutch or Kitchen Dutch, which later developed into Afrikaans.
Afrikaans is characterized by simplified grammar and a vocabulary heavily influenced by Dutch, combined with loanwords from other languages. The language features a phonetically distinct pronunciation system, with a variety of unique sounds. It is also known for its extensive use of double negatives, which is a unique feature compared to other West Germanic languages.
Afrikaans has its own literary tradition and is used in various forms of media, from newspapers and books to radio and television broadcasts. It plays a significant role in the cultural identity of South Africa and is widely spoken by diverse communities throughout the country.
Overall, the Afrikaans language is a West Germanic language with roots in Dutch, characterized by a simplified grammar, a distinctive pronunciation system, and a rich vocabulary influenced by various languages. It holds an important place in the linguistic and cultural landscape of South Africa and Namibia.
Common Misspellings for AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE
- Afrikaans Langauge
- Afrikan Language
- Afrikkens Language
- Afrikaas Language
- Afrikaens Language
- Africhans Language
- Afrikaanz Language
Etymology of AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE
The word "Afrikaans" is derived from the Dutch term "Afrikaansch", which means "African" or "pertaining to Africa". It originated from the variant of Dutch spoken by the Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century. As the language evolved and developed its own unique characteristics distinct from Standard Dutch, it became known as Afrikaans. The term "Afrikaans" was adopted as the name for the language in the early 20th century to differentiate it from Standard Dutch.
