Learn Afrikaans

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Afrikaans Language and History

Before embarking on a journey to learn Afrikaans, it's a good idea to review the history, background, and geographical distribution of it.

A Peak at South Africa: Cape Town 

Paarden Eiland IRT by warrenski

Paarden Eiland IRT

Paarden Eiland IRT by warrenski

Paarden Eiland IRT

Paarden Eiland IRT by warrenski

Paarden Eiland IRT

IRT bridge by warrenski

IRT bridge

IRT bridge by warrenski

IRT bridge

Learn Afrikaans 

Before embarking on a journey to learn Afrikaans, it's a good idea to review the history, background, and geographical distribution of it. As with any language, having an understanding of the facts as well as a basic cultural knowledge can go far in guaranteeing your success on your journey to learn Afrikaans.

Pretoria 

Loftus Versfeld Stadium by legio09

Loftus Versfeld Stad...

Union Buildings by J@M€S

Union Buildings

Blue Crane by Raveesh Vyas

Blue Crane

Idling by Raveesh Vyas

Idling

Odd one out? by Raveesh Vyas

Odd one out?

Afrikaans and its Dutch Connection 

The Afrikaans language is largely derived from the Dutch language. Until the 19th century it was considered a Dutch dialect until 1925. Afrikaans was originally the dialect which developed from the Afrikaner settlers who arrived with the Dutch East India Company in the Cape area from 1652 and 1705. While a majority of these first settlers were from the present day Netherlands region, there was a considerable contingent of German settlers.

Port Elizabeth 

Hugh Masekela (2) by how_long_it_takes

Hugh Masekela (2)

Hugh Masekela (3) by how_long_it_takes

Hugh Masekela (3)

Hugh Masekela (1) by how_long_it_takes

Hugh Masekela (1)

Hope you voted... by Calico182

Hope you voted...

watching by qmnonic

watching

Comparing Afrikaans and Dutch Languages 

In comparison to Dutch, Afrikaans spelling is simpler. The person seeking to learn Afrikaans should keep in mind, that Afrikaans also has a more eclectic vocabulary reflective of the various coexistent languages in the region.

The Afrikaans language however, still shares approximately 85 percent of its vocabulary with Dutch, and because of this Afrikaans speakers are able to learn Dutch within a relatively short period of time.

The Afrikaans language also includes words from various sources including English, Indian, Malay, San, and Bantu words among others. Another difference between Afrikaans and Dutch and Afrikaans is that the latter has a much more regular grammar. Written Afrikaans also differs from Dutch in that its spelling reflects a more phonetically simplified language. As a result, many consonants are dropped. The spelling is also more phonetic than in Dutch.

Johannesburg 

Ellis Park Stadium by legio09

Ellis Park Stadium

C3P0 meets his alter-ego by Axel Bührmann

C3P0 meets his alter...

"Awww - who's a cute li'l T-Rex, then?" by Axel Bührmann

"Awww - who's a...

"How can you say you can see right through me?" by Axel Bührmann

"How can you sa...

Alex baked a biscuit by Axel Bührmann

Alex baked a biscuit

Afrikaans Language Distribution 

Afrikaans Speakers around the World

Afrikaans is spoken primarily in South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa is the first language of approximately 60% of South Africa's "Whites", and over 90% of the "Coloured" (mixed-race) population. In addition, large numbers of "black" South Africans and Indians also speak it as a second language. Significant Afrikaans speakers are found in the southern third of Namibia and is also spoken to a lesser extent neighboring Botswana, Angola, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In Namibia, Whites of European ancestry make up approximately 5% of the population. Most of these Namibian whites and nearly all those of mixed race are Afrikaans speakers.

In recent years, an Afrikaans Diaspora of sorts has occurred, with over 100,000 Afrikaans speakers now living in the United Kingdom. In fact, an Afrikaans newspaper in London now exists to serve this community. Significant communities of Afrikaans speakers are also found in other European cities including Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as in Australia ( e.g. Perth), Canada (e.g. Toronto) and New Zealand (e.g. Auckland).

Democratic change ending Apartheid (racial segregation), is reflected in South Africa's democratic Constitution of 1996. While Afrikaans remains an official language of South Africa, it now has equal status to English and as well as nine other principal languages. As a consequence, of this new shift in policy, the Afrikaans language has been reduced in weight to an extent in favor of English. For the individual seeking to learn Afrikaans, a Dutch background is of great benefit. But like any language learning obstacle, the absence of previous experience is not unsurpassable.

East London 

P1050182 by LoopZilla

P1050182

P1050178 by LoopZilla

P1050178

P1050177 by LoopZilla

P1050177

P1050179 by LoopZilla

P1050179

P1050168 by LoopZilla

P1050168

Can Dutch Speakers and Afrikaans Speakers understand each other? 

Since Afrikaans and Dutch are closely related to each other, they largely understandable to each other. Both languages share considerable vocabulary, though slightly different spellings and pronunciations do occur between the two.

Recommended Resources to Learn Afrikaans 

If you're interested in learning Afrikaans, Eurotalk Programs are an excellent product to consider. There inexpensive, easy, and fun to use.

Afrikaans Blog Posts and News from Google 

A Little News about Afrikaans from around the World
Ade Bye Bye: Adebayor on His Bike to Manchester
What is known however, is that Wenger must have been gatvol (fed up, in Afrikaans) with one of his p...
Stadium and language issues at Sarries
... north to Vicarage Road, with one inside source revealing that the club have remarkably been forc...
30 seconds with Chris Jack
Are you keen to learn some Afrikaans to help you in the lineouts in next year's Super 14? (Laugh...
Powerful & Moving "Coming Home" at the Fountain Theatre
The Afrikaans dialect takes a moment to get used to, but JB Blanc´s coaching pays off, giving the p...

Durban 

Sub - Antarctic Skua by Vividy

Sub - Antarctic Skua

Sunrise Boat by Vividy

Sunrise Boat

Tube Raider by Vividy

Tube Raider

Midas' Touch by Vividy

Midas' Touch

Durban flickr meetup photos by Vividy

Durban flickr meetup...

Recommended Resources for Learning Afrikaans 

Talk Now Beginner Afrikaans
Designed for beginners who want to learn Afrikaans as soon as possible. Whether on business, vacation, or perhaps meeting a foreign visitor, Talk Now! is the disc to get you started.
WorldTalk Intermediate Afrikaans Software Course
World Talk is aimed at intermediate level learners who have already built up some confidence listening to and speaking the Afrikaanslanguage.

Afrikaans Related Videos 

Some Afrikaans Related Videos

Institute of Afrikaans Accent

Darren "Whackhead" Simpson, joker of South African radio station 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Makes fun of Afrikaans people speaking english Just Audio If you are not from SA you probably wont understand

Runtime: 1:55
200807 views
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Great Afrikaans Stuff on Amazon 

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fakonig wrote...

Gaaf om so 'n bietjie Afrikaans op die Internet te sien.

ReplyPosted April 23, 2008

traffic_mike wrote...

Hey Jacob,

You have a very interesting set of lenses! Thanks for all of the details!

ReplyPosted April 21, 2008