Afrikaans (Western Cape dialect)
| Afrikaans (Western Cape dialect) | |
|---|---|
| Native to | South Africa |
| Region | Western Cape Province |
| Language family | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
The Western Cape dialect of Afrikaans is a dialect of Afrikaans that seems to have existed prior to the Great Trek, and which most probably influenced the language of the present-day Western Cape region of South Africa.
The dialect was named before the establishment of the current Western Cape province of South Africa, and should not be regarded as the dialect of that province per se.
The term Kaapse Afrikaans ("Cape Afrikaans") is sometimes erroneously used to refer to the entire Western Cape dialect; it is more commonly used for a particular sociolect spoken in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.
Kaapse Afrikaans was once spoken by all population groups. However, it became increasingly restricted to the Cape Coloured ethnic group in Cape Town and environs.
Characteristics of Kaapse Afrikaans [edit]
Kaapse Afrikaans preserves some features more similar to Dutch than to Modern Standard Afrikaans, hereafter Afrikaans. - The 1st person singular pronoun "ik" as in Dutch as opposed to Afrikaans "ek" - The diminutive endings "tje", pronounced as in Dutch and not as /ki:/ as in Afrikaans. - The use of the form "seg", cf. Dutch "zegt" as opposed to Afrikaans "sê"
Kaapse Afrikaans has some other features not typically found in Afrikaans. - The pronunciation of "j", normally /j/ as in Dutch is often a hard /dz/. This is the strongest feature of Kaapse Afrikaans. - The insertion of /j/ after /s/, /t/ and /k/ when followed by /e/, e.g. "kjen" as opposed to Afrikaans "ken".
Kaapse Afrikaans is also characterised by much code-switching between English and Afrikaans, especially in the inner-city and lower socio-economic status areas of Cape Town.
An example of characteristic Kaapse Afrikaans
- Dutch En ik zeg tegen jullie, wat zoeken jullie hier bij mij? Ik zoek jullie niet! Nee, ga nu weg!
- Kaapse Afrikaans En ik seg ve' djille, wat soek djille hie' by my? Ik soek'i.e. ve' djille nie! Naai, gaat nou weg!
- Afrikaans En ek sê vir julle, wat soek julle hier by my? Ek soek julle nie! Nee, gaan nou weg!
- English Look, what do you lot want with me? I don't want you here! No, get going!
Adam Small [edit]
Adam Small (born Wellington, 21 December 1936) is a South African writer and one of the most important representatives of the Black Consciousness Movement in Afrikaans, also known as die Swart Bewussynsbeweging. Small is best known for his poetry and plays. In his literary works he often places the Cape Coloured experience, especially during apartheid as a central theme, as well as the cultural abyss created by the racial segregation of Afrikaans speakers during the apartheid years. Adam Small is one of the most important Black writers in Afrikaans, especially Kaapse Afrikaans, which he uses, somewhat ironically in view of historical circumstances, as a language of liberation.
Some of Adam Small's works include the following:
- Verse van die liefde (gedigte, 1957 - debuut)
- Kanna hy kô hystoe (toneel, 1965) Kaapstad: Tafelberg.
- Kitaar my kruis (gedigte, 1961)
- Sê sjibbolet (gedigte, 1963)
- Oos wes tuis bes Distrik Ses (gedigte, 1973)
- Krismis van Map Jacobs (toneel, 1983) Kaapstad: Tafelberg.
See also [edit]
- Kaapse Son [1]
- Die Groot Small - oor die lewe en werk van Adam Small - Huldeblyk gelewer deur Prof Steward van Wyk, UWK, tydens die Woordfees in Stellenbosch, 7 Maart 2006
