Afrikaans is also known as the dutch daughter of the germanic languages as it evolved from dutch and 90 of its vocabulary comes from dutch

Afrikaans: The Dutch Daughter of the Germanic Languages

Afrikaans is a fascinating language that has its roots deeply embedded in Dutch. Often referred to as “the Dutch daughter” of the Germanic languages, Afrikaans evolved from Dutch and utilized around 90% of its vocabulary from its parent language.

The Dutch influence on Afrikaans can be traced back to the 17th century when European settlers, primarily from the Netherlands, established a colony at the Cape of Good Hope in present-day South Africa. The Dutch language was brought along by these settlers and served as the main means of communication within the community.

As time passed, the Dutch language spoken by the settlers underwent significant changes due to various factors like isolation, contact with indigenous populations, and intermixing with other European settlers. These factors led to the development of a distinct language that would later be recognized as Afrikaans.

While Afrikaans is often considered a separate language from Dutch today, it retains a strong connection to its Dutch roots. The vocabulary of Afrikaans is primarily derived from Dutch, with approximately 90% of the words being shared by both languages. This linguistic similarity makes it easier for Dutch speakers to understand and communicate in Afrikaans.

The grammatical structure of Afrikaans also displays similarities to Dutch, although it has undergone simplification and adaptation over time. As a result, Afrikaans has its own unique characteristics and expressions that differentiate it from its parent language.

Afrikaans plays a vital role in the cultural heritage of South Africa. It became recognized as an official language of the country in 1925, alongside English. Since then, it has been widely used in various domains, including education, literature, media, and everyday conversation.

The distinction and recognition of Afrikaans as a separate language from Dutch have greatly contributed to the preservation of South African identity and culture. Afrikaans is cherished as a link to the past, a language that tells the stories of the diverse communities that call South Africa home.

In conclusion, Afrikaans, known as “the Dutch daughter,” originated from Dutch and shares approximately 90% of its vocabulary with its parent language. The linguistic ties between Afrikaans and Dutch are deeply rooted, and while Afrikaans has developed its own identity and characteristics over time, it remains a testament to the rich history and cultural diversity of South Africa.

Sources:

• Babbel - Germanic Languages