In South Africa we have 11 official languages.

English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life – but only the fifth most spoken home language representing a mere 8,2% of the population. South African creativity has developed its own version of English. Combining the influences of the many other languages spoken in the country. The traditional Oxford Dictionary incorporated many South African words which have become common usage, such as kraal (village of huts) and trek (travel by ox-wagon).

Afrikaans is the second most spoken language in South Africa. There are approximately 6 million people who can speak South African. The language is only 90 years old, it is officially the youngest language in the world.

Zulu is the most commonly spoken mother tongue (23,8% ), followed by isiXhosa (17,6%) then Afrikaaans (13,3%), Sesotho sa Leboa (9,4%), English (8,2%) and the remaining six languages,

Over the years we have developed our own South African way of speaking and have words which are unique to South Africa.

WHEN SPEAKING SOUTH AFRICAN
A traffic light is a ‘robot’.
An elevator is a ‘lift’
A hood is a ‘bonnet’
A trunk is a ‘boot’
A pickup truck is a ‘bakkie’
A Barbeque is a ‘Braai’
A baby’s diaper is a nappy
A pair of sneakers is tackies

WHAT TO SAY WHEN…
You are totally outraged or surprised… jislaaik
You want to express how nice something is… lekker
You want to say “what ever”… jawelnofine
You hurt yourself… eina
You are not sure what to answer… Ja nee
You want to say everything is good and in order… shap shap
You want to express surprise or disbelier… eish

NO ONE SAYS IT QUITE LIKE AN AFRIKAANER
Babbelas, (abbreviated barbie) meaning a hangover
bliksem – to punch someone or as an expression of surprise
dik bek – grumpy, in a huff (literally: “thick mouth”)
dinges – thingamabob, a wotzit or a whatchamacallit
domkop – idiot
ek se – I say
howzit – how is it going? How are you?
jol – to have fun or a party
kokolol – Referring to low-class workers
nooit – never, no way, unbelievable!
poep – fart.
skelm – suspicious or untrustworthy person
voetsek – go away, scram

No matter what your language, let us always remember the quote from Nelson Mandela:

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

This post was shared this the on SMILE 90.4fm Thursday breakfast show with Bobby Brown and Tracey Lange. For more weekly Awesome discussion tune into SMILE 90.4 fm every Thursday morning at 7.10am. or listen live via live streaming.