Afrikaans is a southern African language. Today six in 10 of the almost seven million Afrikaans speakers in South Africa are estimated to be black. Like several other South African languages, Afrikaans is a cross-border language spanning sizeable communities of speakers in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Is Afrikaans its own language?

Afrikaans (UK: /ˌæfrɪˈkɑːns/, US: /ˌɑːf-/) is a West Germanic-based creole language spoken in South Africa, Namibia and, to a lesser extent, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. With about seven million native speakers in South Africa, or 13.5% of the population, it is the third-most-spoken language in the country.

Are Dutch and Afrikaans the same?

As an estimated 90 to 95% of Afrikaans vocabulary is ultimately of Dutch origin, there are few lexical differences between the two languages; however, Afrikaans has a considerably more regular morphology, grammar, and spelling.

When was Afrikaans an official language?

1925 According to Act 8 of 1925, Afrikaans became one of the official languages of South Africa. The development of Afrikaans can be traced to arrival of settlers to the Cape.

How old is the language Afrikaans?

Afrikaans language more than diluted Dutch It can be traced all the way back to the 16th century when Dutch seafarers sailed to South Africa and met the Khoi-Khoi – an indigenous people of Southwestern Africa whose Khoisan languages are now almost extinct.

Is Afrikaans a white language?

Afrikaans was constructed as a “white language”, with a “white history” and “white faces”.

Is Afrikaans a beautiful language?

Afrikaans is one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

What is the best Afrikaans word?

11 Beautiful Words That Will Make You Fall in Love with the Afrikaans LanguageGeluksalig (che-luk-saa-lich) / blissful happiness. Glimlag (chlim-lach) / smile. Hartlam (hart-lam) / darling. Kolwyntjie (kôl-vain-kie) / cupcake. Ligsinnigheid (lich-sin-nich-hait) / frivolity. Mooi (moy) / attractive.More items