south african dutch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “south african dutch” mean?
A historical, now largely obsolete, term for the Dutch-derived vernacular language spoken by European settlers in South Africa from the 17th century, which later evolved into Afrikaans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical, now largely obsolete, term for the Dutch-derived vernacular language spoken by European settlers in South Africa from the 17th century, which later evolved into Afrikaans.
The term can also refer to the people of Dutch descent in South Africa during the colonial period, or to cultural artefacts from that era. It is primarily used in historical, linguistic, or academic contexts to distinguish the earlier form of the language from modern Afrikaans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, colonial-era term. In British English, it may be slightly more familiar due to the historical connection, but it carries the same dated connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, found almost exclusively in historical texts or specialised academic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “south african dutch” in a Sentence
[language] known as South African Dutch[historical group] of South African Dutch descentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “south african dutch” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The South African Dutch community resisted British rule.
American English
- South African Dutch vocabulary absorbed words from Malay and Khoisan languages.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical linguistics, colonial history, and sociolinguistics to discuss the genesis of Afrikaans. Example: 'The 19th-century documents were written in a form of South African Dutch.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation. A modern speaker would simply say 'Afrikaans' or refer to 'the Dutch settlers'.
Technical
A technical term in diachronic linguistics and historical studies, though 'Cape Dutch' is often preferred for clarity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “south african dutch”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “south african dutch”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “south african dutch”
- Using 'South African Dutch' to refer to a modern Dutch person living in South Africa.
- Using the term interchangeably with 'Afrikaans' in a contemporary context, which is inaccurate and can cause offence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It refers to the historical vernacular spoken by settlers in South Africa, which contained borrowings and simplifications that marked the beginning of Afrikaans. It was distinct from the Dutch spoken in Europe.
It is not recommended. While they refer to connected historical stages of the same language continuum, 'Afrikaans' is the correct and recognised name for the modern standard language. Using the old term can seem outdated or insensitive.
It was spoken primarily by the European colonists (known as Boers or Afrikaners) and their descendants in the Cape Colony from the 17th to the late 19th centuries.
They are largely synonymous, but 'Cape Dutch' is often preferred in academic writing as it more accurately denotes the geographical origin (the Cape of Good Hope) of the language variety.
A historical, now largely obsolete, term for the Dutch-derived vernacular language spoken by European settlers in South Africa from the 17th century, which later evolved into Afrikaans.
South african dutch is usually historical / academic in register.
South african dutch: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ ˈafrɪk(ə)n ˈdʌtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ ˈæfrɪkən ˈdʌtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms exist for this specific historical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'South African Dutch' is the historical parent, and 'Afrikaans' is the modern child. The parent's name is now old-fashioned.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS AN ORGANISM (it evolved from Dutch into Afrikaans).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'South African Dutch' is rarely used today?