1 Resources to Learn Afrikaans for Free
Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
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Easy Afrikaans
Afrikaans is one of the worlds youngest languages and has around 8 million speakers. It is relatively easy for English speakers to acquire a working knowledge of Afrikaans due to its germanic origins. A working knowledge is of course different from having an appreciation of the subtleties and finer points.
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About the Afrikaans Language
Afrikaans is a captivating language spoken primarily in South Africa and Namibia. It originated from Dutch dialects spoken by Dutch settlers who arrived in the Cape of Good Hope during the 17th century. Over time, the language evolved and developed its own unique characteristics, distinct from Dutch.
Afrikaans is currently spoken by approximately 7 to 16 million people worldwide. It serves as one of the official languages of South Africa and is widely used in various domains, including education, media, literature, and everyday communication.
One interesting aspect of Afrikaans is its vocabulary, which reflects influences from Dutch, Khoisan languages, Malay, Portuguese, and Bantu languages. It is also known for its simplified grammar compared to Dutch, with the loss of some complex grammatical features.
Afrikaans is predominantly spoken in South Africa, where it is one of the major languages. It is the home language of the Afrikaner community and is also spoken by various other ethnic groups, including Coloureds and Basters. Additionally, Afrikaans is spoken by a significant number of people in Namibia.
Throughout its history, Afrikaans played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of South Africa. It has been used as a means of cultural expression, protest, and identity for different communities during various historical periods.
Exploring Afrikaans provides insights into the diverse linguistic heritage of South Africa and its historical connections to the Dutch colonial era. It showcases the resilience and evolution of a language that has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of the region.