Characteristics of Kaapse Afrikaans
Kaapse Afrikaans preserves some features more similar to Dutch than to Modern Standard Afrikaans, hereafter Afrikaans. - The 1st person singular pronoun "ik" as in Dutch as opposed to Afrikaans "ek" - The diminutive endings "tje", pronounced as in Dutch and not as /ki:/ as in Afrikaans. - The use of the form "seg", cf. Dutch "zegt" as opposed to Afrikaans "sê"
Kaapse Afrikaans has some other features not typically found in Afrikaans. - The pronunciation of "j", normally /j/ as in Dutch is often a hard /dz/. This is the strongest feature of Kaapse Afrikaans. - The insertion of /j/ after /s/, /t/ and /k/ when followed by /e/, e.g. "kjen" as opposed to Afrikaans "ken".
Kaapse Afrikaans is also characterised by much code-switching between English and Afrikaans, especially in the inner-city and lower socio-economic status areas of Cape Town.
An example of characteristic Kaapse Afrikaans
- Dutch En ik zeg tegen jullie, wat zoeken jullie hier bij mij? Ik zoek jullie niet! Nee, ga nu weg!
- Kaapse Afrikaans En ik seg ve' djille, wat soek djille hie' by my? Ik soek'i.e. ve' djille nie! Naai, gaat nou weg!
- Afrikaans En ek sê vir julle, wat soek julle hier by my? Ek soek julle nie! Nee, gaan nou weg!
- English Look, what do you lot want with me? I don't want you here! No, get going!
Read more about this topic: Afrikaans (Western Cape Dialect)
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