In your experience, are Dutch and Afrikaans mutually intelligible?
Q. I am planning on moving to The Netherlands and I was just wondering if Dutch people can understand Afrikaans and vice versa. If I can already speak Afrikaans, do I need to spend time learning Dutch?
Asked by NC - Wed Oct 21 03:32:10 2009 - - 10 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I was an Au-Pair in America once and I had a Dutch friend. A lot of times, we'd speak in our own languages. We spoke slower than usual and we understood each other about 80% of the time. (I'm Afrikaans, by the way) That being said, I understand that it's different to actually be in the Netherlands. It's not like you can have everyone speak slower just to accommodate you. But I know that my dad picked up Dutch very quickly when he lived there for a while. Now he's fluent. I guess it depends on how quickly you can pick up the differences. If you would feel more comfortable with learning Dutch, then I'd say go for it. It can't hurt.
Answered by Entoak - Thu Oct 22 16:52:10 2009

How much Dutch and Afrikaans are compatible?
Q. Can a Dutch person has a conversation with an Afrikaans speaker while each speaks his own language? If a Dutch speaker finds himself in South Africa and listens around him/her Afrikaner s talking can he/she understand easily or he/she has to make an effort? Its easier for a Dutch person to understand Afrikaans or the other way around? Thank you.
Asked by alternativeX - Sun May 16 20:23:03 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes. However there are some differences in vocabulary, they are easily overcome since Afrikaans is very descriptive. E.g. a Dutch "helicopter" will be a "wentelwiek" in Afrikaans (wings-turning-around) or a "chirurg (surgeon)" becomes a "snijdoktoor" (carving doctor). The differences in grammar are very superficial, and will never cause any doubt. Most notable is the double negation in Afrikaans: "Jy mag ook nie daar ry nie". A couple of years ago we had a weekly show with the late Johannes Kerkorrel on Flemish (Belgian Dutch) Radio 1. Everyone understood.
Answered by Bart - Sun May 16 20:36:18 2010

How many Afrikaans Soapies are there on TV?
Q. I need to know how many Afrikaans soapies there are on TV. Please assist by providing the names as well. I know of 7de Laan, Binnelanders, Egoli and Villa Rosa. Are there perhaps any more? Thanks.
Asked by Cute~Shy - Sun Oct 12 15:27:04 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. As far as I know, those are it. - Allthough I have to admit that I only watch Binnelanders out of all of them...
Answered by Michelle V - Mon Oct 13 04:27:11 2008

How do you say I will love you forever I promise in Afrikaans?
Q. How do you say I will love you forever I promise in Afrikaans?
Asked by Jessica - Fri Jan 15 19:51:10 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I think you would say: ' Ek sal he jou lief vir ewig. Ek belowe' and this means i will love you forever I promise. 'Ek het jou lief, ek belowe' means I love you, I promise
Answered by Summer - Tue Jan 19 10:25:30 2010

What is a fast way to learn Afrikaans?
Q. I'm in high school and moving to South Africa in a few months. To graduate I will need to learn Afrikaans and I only speak minimal.
Asked by robbiereho - Fri Dec 14 16:45:20 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You don't HAVE TO learn Afrikaans to graduate. If you already know some Afrikaans you might find listening to afrikaans radio useful. Radio Sonder Grense - audio webstream here - (works with Windows Media Player)
Answered by Roger C - Mon Dec 17 08:16:54 2007

Do many people speak or understand Afrikaans in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces?
Q. Is Afrikaans useful in the national parks of the north and north east?
Asked by Gavin - Wed Jan 20 10:20:51 2010 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes and yes, it's useful... ...BUT if you are planning on learning it, keep in mind that you can also learn Tswana (North West and the western parts of Limpopo), Northern Sotho ( Mpumalanga and Limpopo) , Venda, Shangaan, Pedi and Ndebele (Limpopo and Mpumalanga)...even a little Zulu in the south of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. There is also a little bit of mSwati influence on the border with Swaziland. You'll be fine with English, but yes Afrikaans can be useful.
Answered by JC - Thu Jan 21 11:19:57 2010

How do you say "French Vanilla" in Afrikaans?
Q. I asked it before too but none of the answers were good. Everyone said something different. How do you say "French Vanilla" in Afrikaans?
Asked by Isobel Kitty - Sun Apr 6 03:50:20 2008 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Why are you asking this question again? Did it get deleted? Oh well, Franse Vanille is French Vanilla and ice-cream is "roomys", (lit- cream-ice).
Answered by Emjay IV - Sun Apr 6 04:55:59 2008

If I can speak Afrikaans is it easy to learn Dutch?
Q. I want to speak fluent Dutch so I can speak to them without speaking in English or Afrikaans.
Asked by Nobody - Wed Apr 14 15:28:06 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch settlers that went to South Africa. You are well on your way.
Answered by Fish - Wed Apr 14 15:33:52 2010

How do you say God in Afrikaans?
Q. How do you say God in the African language of Afrikaans? Just wondering. Please no jokes, questions, or dissing.
Asked by Anton H - Fri Nov 20 09:54:36 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Afrikaans - God (guttural g and then '-ohd'). Tswana - Modimo (mohdeemoh). Anything else I can assist you with?
Answered by JC - Fri Nov 20 11:40:31 2009

Why are SOME Afrikaans people so inconsiderate ?
Q. Like at Varsity some Afrikaans students would ask questions in Affrikaans and when I opposed some people looked at me funny. And now this happened again at work in a meeting. Some people spoke Afrikaans in the meeting and the people speaking Affrikaans were young people that came a year before us, the senoir guys are Affrikaans but the answered them in English even though the young ones persisted on speaking Affrikaans. Why do some people do that? I understand if someone can not speak english but now if someone can speak fluent English and does that I feel thats wrong. Heavey D He! he! he! My manager/mentor would laugh if he were to read what you said about me there. I don't have any problem speaking out at work the trouble is I am the… [cont.]
Asked by Ayiza - Tue Aug 7 04:13:23 2007 - - 14 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Black people are the same About 2 weeks ago i was with a client rather big one (they form part of the ANC) and in the middle of the meeting they starting talking some black language while the meeting was still on so they just went on and on and only the things they wanted us to hear was said in english
Answered by SAgirl - Wed Aug 8 01:54:43 2007

Would speaking Dutch make it easier or more complicated to learn Afrikaans?
Q. I just started learning Dutch a few months ago, and one day would like to learn Afrikaans. I know they are somewhat similar, so do you think having knowledge of Dutch would make it easier to learn? or would it be confusing? does anyone speak both?
Asked by who? - Tue Apr 21 18:40:13 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It will help you greatly with the grammar and vocab, although it does become a bit easier to get lost between the two =]
Answered by John - Tue Apr 21 18:44:22 2009

What's the difference between Afrikaans and Dutch?
Q. Is it just like a specific version of it? If it is, why don't people refer to it as Dutch? I thought it might be because of a cultural thing. Would it relate to how Acadian (or French spoken in Canada) compared to how it's spoken to France? Or Portuguese in Brazil compared to Portugal?
Asked by Tom - Tue Aug 18 14:50:14 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. to add to the previous answers... Afrikaans is not a form of Dutch although some Dutch people think of it as Farmers Dutch or baby Dutch, i.e. a simplified form of Dutch. When the Dutch colonised the Cape in the 1600s, Afrikaans developed as Kombuis Taal (Kitchen language), which was spoken by those in the kitchen of the big estates. So it was a colloquial form with lots of local influences. In terms of today...Dutch people can understand you if you speak Afrikaans more easily that Afrikaans people hearing Dutch spoken. Here is an example: English: I am a girl Afrikaans: Ek is 'n meisie Dutch:Ik ben een meisje
Answered by xp - Tue Aug 18 16:56:34 2009

Where can I meet Afrikaans guys in Canada BC?
Q. I'm from South Africa, and I speak Afrikaans. I would like to meet guys that speak my language.
Asked by Girly_Girl - Sun Dec 20 01:31:32 2009 - - 1 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Check the phone book, under clubs and associations, or try googling up Afrikaans in BC.
Answered by old lady - Sun Dec 20 13:51:56 2009

Where on the internet can I find suggestions for Afrikaans boys names or the meaning of names?
Q. Where on the internet can I find suggestions for Afrikaans boys names or the meaning of names?
Asked by An3a - Thu Jul 16 07:43:42 2009 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Please try this one - hope it will help you
Answered by Amit M - Thu Jul 16 08:00:51 2009

How long could it take me to learn Afrikaans?
Q. If I practice a little bit everyday, in a few months could I talk it? Or does it take years?
Asked by Pregunto - Fri Feb 12 04:54:39 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. it would take years not months its a difficult language, if you speak dutch then theres not much difference but if not, you'll have alot of work cut out
Answered by Lexi Moore - Sat Feb 13 01:39:36 2010

Do Dutch people understand Flemish and Afrikaans?
Q. Do Dutch people(from the Netherlands) understand Flemish(Vlaams) and Afrikaans? If you do, which one is easier to understand for Dutch people? To what degree are Dutch, Flemish and Afrikaans mutually intelligible?
Asked by Bluemoon - Fri Feb 20 05:23:40 2009 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes. Vlaams / Flemish is actually dutch. Just with local variations in word choice. It`s like slang words, or alternative words. Afrikaans is actually harder to understand, especially at normal speed. Working with Belgian/Flemish people, and having lived in South Africa for about 7 months - i think that Afrikaans is almost like the dutch they spoke in the 1500s in The Netherlands. If Afrikaans is spoken at a more slow pace - it is understandable, but you need to pay attention. I think, if people are willing, and speak slower, both the Flemish, the Dutch and the South Africans can have a decent conversation - which would probably be a lot of fun with the different words we use for the same object / subject.
Answered by U_S_S_Enterprise - Fri Feb 20 11:01:28 2009

Do people in the States study or learn Afrikaans?
Q. I live in South Africa and this is just one of our 11 offical languages. I just wonder if people over seas learn this one. Kan jy praat afrikaans mooi?
Asked by Perfectly Unperfect - Sun Oct 7 08:23:09 2007 - - 4 Answers - 1 Comments

A. I'm afraid not. If Americans do learn a second language it is usually one of the major 4. French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Afrikkans I believe is closely related to Dutch which is the closest language to english.
Answered by Kenneth - Sun Oct 7 10:53:15 2007

What is the "health status" of Afrikaans these days in South Africa?
Q. Is it losing ground to native tongues? Are only Afrikaners currently learning the tongue? Is it losing ground to English like many "minor" languages around the world? Is the SA diaspora using it among themselves and trying to interest others in learning it? Thanks for considering this question.
Asked by John A - Sat Apr 3 11:14:57 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Erik van Thienen definitely knows about Afrikaans. Officially yes, it's losing ground, but unofficially it hasn't changed much. Most natives are not very good at it, especially in major cities, except Bloemfontein (our constitutional capitol). Most public schools had to change from Afrikaans to dual/ English medium. Yes, there are still schools that are exclusively Afrikaans, like Afrikaans Hoerskool (Separated in girls' and boys' schools). PS. Hoerskool should have (``) above the 'e' otherwise it literally translates to 'whore school', instead of 'high school'. As Erik said, except for the Netherlands and Flanders I really don't know about any other country where it is presented as a school subject or being promoted in some way. … [cont.]
Answered by JC - Sat Apr 3 13:30:03 2010

I am looking for some blogs, or interesting articles that are written in Afrikaans?
Q. I'm trying to catch up on my Afrikaans and would love to read some blogs online that are written in that language. Or some sites that speak about art and design. Maybe some short stories.
Asked by lorarie - Fri Feb 29 12:01:16 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A.
Answered by RyoTa - Fri Feb 29 23:23:17 2008

Why do South Afrikaans continue to segregate themselves from Bantus?
Q. White schools and Black schools? What is this? Can you not be more civilized to your own brethen? Osto11 you are a racist. I teach the children. I have taught children of African decent from Africa and go to school with Africans and teach African Americans. I think you are truly a racist. I don't think you at all "been there, done that"
Asked by Lalana - Fri Jul 4 14:46:09 2008 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It is steeped in their society, they are learning and growing. Consider where they came from and how far they have come since even the late 70's. Some people do as they are told or do as the custom, because they know no other way, show them by example, not by angry words.
Answered by loved1 - Fri Jul 4 14:54:54 2008