Rise of a language punctuated by ‘mutual affection’

AFRICA’S youngest indigenous language was officially recognised less than a century ago, in part as a token of “mutual affection” between “the two races”.

Back in 1925, the “race” distinction was between white English- and Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. In the 92 years since, Afrikaans has grown on its own non-racial terms – whites are the minority of users today – to become the country’s third most- spoken language.

Notably, there wasn’t even an Afrikaans Bible when the language gained its official status.

“We are doing work which is in the higher interests of the country in which both sides must live. It is an achievement that in days to come will live when the contentions of today have vanished from the memories of our children and our children’s children.”

In an editorial a day later, the newspaper wrote: “Perhaps because of a certain sluggishness of imagination, some English-speaking South Africans may not sufficiently appreciate the claims of sentiment in a matter of this kind, or understand that if they seem too proud even to try to learn Afrikaans they may hurt the feelings of their Dutch neighbours and friends.

“It is unquestionably in the interests of South Africa that the Dutch language should be written as it is spoken in South Africa.

“Afrikaans has undoubtedly made great progress as a literary language, and soon we shall have a translation of the Bible. If it is successful, it will set all doubts at rest; if it is not successful. it will be no proof that Afrikaans is hopeless as a literary medium, for attempts which have been made to put the Bible into modern English have been far from satisfactory.

“We hope that… the difficulties of compiling a complete and authoritative dictionary of Afrikaans, though very great at this stage of the language, will also be overcome.”

CJ Langenhoven