African Speak
South Africa has 11 official languages:- Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsongo, Vedna, Xhosa, Zulu.
English is only the 4th most common language spoken as a first language, by c. 10% of the poulation (Zulu 23%, Xhosa 16%, Afrikaans 14%).
However, English is the primary language in government and media, and is the second language of most South Africans.
The fastest growing non-official language is currently Portugese.
Knysna is in a region where the dominant language is Afrikaans (followed by Xhosa), but English is widely spoken and understood by the majority.
These lists will hopefully help you understand some of the words / expressions in common use (and on this web-site).
There are many online dictionaries and language translators on the internet and this is not meant to replace any of them.
These are words / phrases that have been relevant so far (for an English only speaker!), and the list will be extended as time goes by.
Biltong
Snack food - strips or pieces of cured (raw spiced dried) meat - from the Dutch words "bil" (rump) and "tong" (strip)
Boerenkaas
Traditional cheese (literally "farmer's cheese")
Boerewors
Traditional sausage - from the Afrikaans words "boer" (farmer) and "wors" (sausage)
Bottle Store
Shop that sells alcohol - similar to old fashioned UK off-licence (supermarkets don't sell the variety of alcohol as in UK)
Braai
Similar to a barbecue; (a structure for) grilling meat over an open fire
Braaivleis
Assortment of meat cooked on a Braai
Droeewors
Snack food - dried sausage - based on the traditional boerewors
Gemsbok
Meat: a large antelope native to the arid regions of Southern Africa
Hake
Fish: a large-headed elongated fish related to and resembling cod - Fish and Chips is usually Hake and Chips
Half jack
Small flat pocket sized bottle of alcohol, e.g. whisky, gin, etc.
Kassler
Meat: a salted and slightly smoked cut of pork - Kassler chops similar to UK gammon steak
Kudu
Meat: a large African antelope
MCC
South African Champagne!!! Methode Cap Classique (MCC) is made using the same method!
Mielie
Ear of maize, corn on the cob
Ostrich
Very lean and healthy red meat
Padkos
Food and drink for a car journey, picnic, - e.g. sandwiches, biltong
Pap
Porridge
Potjie
Meat or fish stew cooked in a round cast iron 3 legged pot on an open fire
Roosterkoek
Traditional bread to accompany a braai, balls of bread dough cooked on a grid over coals
Prickly Pear
Fruit of a cactus - also known as "cactus pear"
Slap chips
Limp, soggy (not cooked in hot enough oil) - from the Afrikaans "slap" (droopy)
Snoek
Fish: a long thin species of snake mackerel - usually cooked on a Braai or served as Pate
Sundowner
Any alcoholic drink taken at sundown (usually after a days work)
Warthog
Meat: a wild member of the pig family found in the African bush
Bakkie
Utility or pick-up truck (a double bakkie has tow rows of seats)
Circle
Roundabout
Odometer
Instrument for indicating distance travelled by a vehicle - equivalent to UK "mileometer"
Robot(s)
Traffic lights
RWC
Road Worthiness Certificate - similar to UK "M.O.T. certificate"
Burgler Bars
Bars fitted either inside or outside to prevent intrusion through windows / doors
DStv
Satellite television
Erf
Plot of land
Geyser
Hot water tank
Kreepy Krauly
Snake like device for cleaning a pool
Stoep
Verandah
Zoning Certificate
Issued by the Municpality indicating use / restrictions of a plot of land / property, e.g. residential or business
Babalas
Hangover
Bafana Bafana
Nickname of the South African international football team (men)
Banyana Banyana
Nickname of the South African international football team (women)
Blitzboks
Nickname of the South African international rugby sevens team
Coza
Website qualifier - short for .co.za
Indaba
Meeting, gathering - from a Zulu language word meaning "business" or "matter"
Jol
To have fun, party
Log
League table, e.g. English Premier League table
Oke
Man, bloke, guy, chap
Proteas
Nickname of the South African international cricket team
SAPS
South African Police Service
SARS
South African Revenue Service - eqivalent to UK "HMRC"
Springboks
Nickname of the South African international rugby union team
Swallows
Foreigners who stay for the summer before returning home for their own summer
Takkies / Tekkies
Trainers, running shoes, sneakers
Voetstoots
As is - e.g. when selling something; sold as seen, regardless of any faults
Go well
Take care / look after yourself
Just now
Soon, sometime, but not immediately (and maybe not ever)
Now now
Now
Yes no
Yes, that's fine
Baie Dankie
Thank you very much
Dankie
Thank you
Gelukkige verjaardag
Happy Birthday
Geseende Kersfees
Merry Crhristmas
Howzit
Hi, how are you doing?
Lekker
Nice, good
Vasbyt
Hang in there - (literally - bite hard)
Hamba gathle
Go well / take care
Inkosi
Thank you
Inkosi kakulu
Thank you very much
Molo
Good morning
