Difference between revisions of "Afrikaans"
(any source I could find that mentioned "High Dutch" said that it was the German language) |
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| − | '''Afrikaans''' is the language of the Afrikaners (and Cape Coloureds) of [[South Africa]], who form about 56% of that country's | + | '''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. It double negative structure acquired from [[French language|French]], (the double negative was absent in both German and modern Dutch, but present in Middle Dutch). |
It has also borrowed words from Malay. | It has also borrowed words from Malay. | ||
== Orthography == | == Orthography == | ||
| − | In 1925, when Afrikaans replaced Dutch as one of the official languages of South Africa, a spelling system drafted by Roeland Anthonie Kollewijn was immediately adopted . ''De spelling Kollewijn'' did not get government approval in the Netherlands, but many of his recommendations were implemented in later spelling reforms. | + | In 1925, when Afrikaans replaced Dutch as one of the official languages of South Africa, a spelling system drafted by Roeland Anthonie Kollewijn was immediately adopted . ''De spelling Kollewijn'' did not get government approval in the [[Netherlands]], but many of his recommendations were implemented in later spelling reforms. |
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 04:34, January 18, 2010
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, brought to southern Africa in the 17th century. It double negative structure acquired from French, (the double negative was absent in both German and modern Dutch, but present in Middle Dutch).
It has also borrowed words from Malay.
Orthography
In 1925, when Afrikaans replaced Dutch as one of the official languages of South Africa, a spelling system drafted by Roeland Anthonie Kollewijn was immediately adopted . De spelling Kollewijn did not get government approval in the Netherlands, but many of his recommendations were implemented in later spelling reforms.