The Controversial History and Impact of Afrikaans in South Africa
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that is spoken in South Africa, Namibia, and to a lesser extent in Botswana and Zimbabwe. In my Afrikaans essay, I will examine the language's controversial history and its impact on South African society.
Afrikaans is one of the youngest languages in the world, with a history that dates back to the 17th century. The origins of Afrikaans can be traced to the arrival of Dutch settlers in South Africa in 1652. The Dutch East India Company established a colony at the Cape of Good Hope, which became a hub for trade and commerce. The Dutch language was used as the official language of the colony, and it was spoken by both the settlers and the indigenous population. Over time, the language began to evolve as it was influenced by other languages, including Malay, Portuguese, and various African languages. By the early 19th century, a distinct dialect of Dutch had emerged in South Africa, known as Cape Dutch or Kitchen Dutch. This dialect incorporated many African and Asian words and was spoken by a large number of people, including slaves, Khoisan people, and European settlers. In the late 19th century, Afrikaans began to emerge as a distinct language. It was first referred to as "Cape Dutch," but in the early 20th century, the name "Afrikaans" began to gain acceptance. In 1925, Afrikaans was declared an official language of South Africa, along with English and Dutch.
Afrikaans continued to evolve and develop over the course of the 20th century. It was heavily influenced by apartheid-era policies that sought to enforce racial segregation and marginalize non-white communities. Many Afrikaans-speaking white South Africans played a prominent role in these policies, leading to the language being viewed by some as a symbol of oppression.
Despite this, nowadays Afrikaans is recognized as an official language in South Africa and is spoken by approximately 7 million people, primarily in South Africa and Namibia. It is also spoken by small communities in other countries, such as Botswana, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Despite its controversial history, Afrikaans continues to play an important role in South African society and culture. It is used in education, media, and government, and has produced a rich body of literature, music, and art. However, the language has also been the subject of debates and criticisms, particularly regarding its association with the apartheid regime and its impact on other indigenous languages in South Africa. It has also been used as a medium of instruction in schools and universities, and has a rich literary tradition, with notable authors such as C.J. Langenhoven, Breyten Breytenbach, and André Brink.
