'''Afrikaans''' is the language of the Afrikaners (and Cape Coloureds) of [[South Africa]], who form about 56% of that country's white population. It is derived from the South-Hollandic dialect of [[Dutch language|Dutch]], brought to southern Africa in the 17th century. Its double negative structure is acquired from [[French language|French]], (the double negative was absent in both German and modern Dutch, but present in Middle Dutch). | '''Afrikaans''' is the language of the Afrikaners (and Cape Coloureds) of [[South Africa]], who form about 56% of that country's white population. It is derived from the South-Hollandic dialect of [[Dutch language|Dutch]], brought to southern Africa in the 17th century. Its double negative structure is acquired from [[French language|French]], (the double negative was absent in both German and modern Dutch, but present in Middle Dutch). |