by I'mSempai September 16, 2015
Get the arrik mug.A Western Germanic language that developed in South Africa as a semi-creolised form of Dutch after Dutch colonists settled at the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th Century. It is spoken by over 6 million people as a first language and by a further 6 million as a second language.
The language's name Afrikaans simply means "African" and features a highly regularised, simplified grammar (there are fewer than 5 irregular verbs in the language), double negation (as in French) and pronounciation that is softer and less guttural than modern Dutch. Like English, it has only one gender for nouns (as opposed to two in Dutch).
Afrikaans and Dutch remain mutually intelligible and although the majority of its vocabulary derives from 17th Century Dutch, it has incorporated many words from indigenous and aboriginal Southern African languages (especially KhoiSan, Xhosa and Zulu), as well as Malaysian, French and German, reflecting the phenomenon of South Africa as a melting pot of cultures.
Cut off from Europe, the fledgeling language rapidly evolved unique features. There is strong evidence to suggest that proto-Afrikaans developed as a creole form of Dutch among slaves and servants; indeed, it was known (disparigingly) as "Kitchen Dutch" or "Kombuistaal" (Kitchen Language).
By the 19th Century Afrikaans had developed into a separate language and in the 1920s was formally recognised as an official language (co-equal in status with English) of the Union of South Africa.
As the preferred language of the Apartheid state, the language has been stigmatised in the past as the vehicle of an oppressive regime, most infamously as the cause of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, where several youths died protesting Afrikaans being enforced as the language of instruction in schools (as opposed to English). Today, however, the language has been largely depoliticised and proudly spoken by South Africans of all backgrounds.
Afrikaans has greatly influenced South African English and has contributed several words to modern international English - most famously perhaps "trek" (as in epic journey, as in Star Trek) and "veld" for grassland/savannah.
Following the advent of democracy in 1994, Afrikaans retained its official status along with 10 other languages.
The language's name Afrikaans simply means "African" and features a highly regularised, simplified grammar (there are fewer than 5 irregular verbs in the language), double negation (as in French) and pronounciation that is softer and less guttural than modern Dutch. Like English, it has only one gender for nouns (as opposed to two in Dutch).
Afrikaans and Dutch remain mutually intelligible and although the majority of its vocabulary derives from 17th Century Dutch, it has incorporated many words from indigenous and aboriginal Southern African languages (especially KhoiSan, Xhosa and Zulu), as well as Malaysian, French and German, reflecting the phenomenon of South Africa as a melting pot of cultures.
Cut off from Europe, the fledgeling language rapidly evolved unique features. There is strong evidence to suggest that proto-Afrikaans developed as a creole form of Dutch among slaves and servants; indeed, it was known (disparigingly) as "Kitchen Dutch" or "Kombuistaal" (Kitchen Language).
By the 19th Century Afrikaans had developed into a separate language and in the 1920s was formally recognised as an official language (co-equal in status with English) of the Union of South Africa.
As the preferred language of the Apartheid state, the language has been stigmatised in the past as the vehicle of an oppressive regime, most infamously as the cause of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, where several youths died protesting Afrikaans being enforced as the language of instruction in schools (as opposed to English). Today, however, the language has been largely depoliticised and proudly spoken by South Africans of all backgrounds.
Afrikaans has greatly influenced South African English and has contributed several words to modern international English - most famously perhaps "trek" (as in epic journey, as in Star Trek) and "veld" for grassland/savannah.
Following the advent of democracy in 1994, Afrikaans retained its official status along with 10 other languages.
My hand is in warm water - this sentence could be in either English or Afrikaans, means exactly the same and simply differs in pronounciation.
by adals September 6, 2009
Get the Afrikaans mug.Arringo, what started as a good company, quickly got a massive downfall. From terrible decisions, egos and awful organizing. Treat most people like 2nd class citizens unless they like you.
by DONTWORKHERE May 21, 2020
Get the Arringo mug.A term used for those of Dutch, French Huguenot, German Protestant (& others) descent who speak Afrikaans living in Southern Africa: The Republic of South Africa, Botswana & Namibia. The ancestors of Afrikaners arrived in the Cape begining in 1652 & are divided between those in the Cape & those of Voortrekker descent.
He spoke Afrikaans & was native to South Africa considering himself much more African than European hence he must be an Afrikaner.
by Ron Palmer. November 11, 2003
Get the Afrikaner mug.by ecstasylife July 20, 2012
Get the Arrio mug.An Arrianne is someone who has morals, cares for other people, and someone you can count on no matter what the circumstance.
An Arrianne is someone with a great sense of humor, has great family values, and strong willed/minded.
An Arrianne is someone with a great sense of humor, has great family values, and strong willed/minded.
by UDoNote August 10, 2019
Get the Arrianne mug.uhm so im doing this since this is a trend on gacha life a super hero has blue hair and a cat LOVESS her
heey arrinett
by gacha trend May 20, 2021
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