What Is South African English?
South African English (SAE) is the variety of English spoken in South Africa, one of the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth. South Africa has eleven official languages, and English—though the home language of only about 10% of the population—serves as the primary language of government, business, media, and education. It functions as a lingua franca connecting speakers of Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, and the country's many other languages.
What makes South African English uniquely fascinating is its rich absorption of words from Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and other local languages. This multilingual environment has created an English variety that is distinct from both British and American English, vibrant in its vocabulary, and deeply connected to South Africa's complex history and diverse cultures.
Historical Background
English arrived in South Africa with the British occupation of the Cape Colony in 1795 and, more significantly, with the British settlers of 1820. Before that, Dutch settlers had established Afrikaans-speaking communities from 1652 onward. The coexistence of English and Afrikaans—sometimes cooperative, sometimes contentious—has shaped both languages profoundly.
During the apartheid era (1948–1994), Afrikaans was promoted alongside English as a language of government, which created tension and resistance. After the democratic transition in 1994, English became the dominant language of national communication, while all eleven official languages were constitutionally recognized. Today, South African English continues to evolve, absorbing words and expressions from the country's many language communities.
Afrikaans Influence
Afrikaans, a language descended from Dutch, has contributed more vocabulary to South African English than any other local language:
| SAE Word | Afrikaans Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| braai | braai | barbecue (both noun and verb) |
| biltong | biltong | dried, cured meat |
| bakkie | bakkie | pickup truck |
| lekker | lekker | nice, good, great, delicious |
| robot | robot | traffic light |
| veld | veld | open grassland |
| stoep | stoep | veranda, porch |
| dorp | dorp | small rural town |
| naartjie | naartjie | mandarin orange, tangerine |
| rooibos | rooibos | red bush tea (now used internationally) |
| padkos | padkos | road snacks, food for a journey |
| mielie | mielie | corn on the cob, maize |
Some of these words—particularly "braai," "biltong," and "rooibos"—have entered international English usage, spreading South African culture through language.
African Language Influence
Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, and other Bantu languages have also enriched South African English:
| Word | Language of Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ubuntu | Zulu/Xhosa | humanity towards others; interconnectedness |
| indaba | Zulu/Xhosa | meeting, conference, discussion |
| shebeen | Irish/adapted locally | informal bar, township tavern |
| sangoma | Zulu | traditional healer, diviner |
| madiba | Xhosa (clan name) | affectionate name for Nelson Mandela |
| toyi-toyi | various | protest dance |
| muti | Zulu (umuthi) | traditional medicine (or any medicine informally) |
| ubuntu | Nguni languages | philosophy of communal humanity |
The concept of ubuntu—often translated as "I am because we are"—has gained worldwide recognition as a philosophy of interconnected humanity. It became the name of a Linux operating system, further spreading its reach.
Unique Vocabulary
South African English has standard vocabulary items that differ from both British and American usage:
| South African | British/American Equivalent |
|---|---|
| robot | traffic light |
| circle | roundabout / traffic circle |
| tackle | sneakers / trainers |
| just now | soon (not immediately) |
| now now | very soon (sooner than "just now") |
| shame! | expression of sympathy or endearment |
| is it? | really? / is that so? |
| howzit | how are you? / hello |
The time expressions "just now" and "now now" are famously confusing to visitors. In standard English, "just now" means "a moment ago," but in South African English, it means "in a while." "Now now" means "soon but not immediately." Only "now" means "right now."
South African Slang
- Ag (pronounced "ach") — oh, expressing frustration or resignation
- Eish — exclamation of surprise, frustration, or sympathy
- Yebo — yes (from Zulu)
- Sharp sharp — cool, okay, goodbye
- Ja — yes (from Afrikaans)
- Jol — party, to have a good time
- Hectic — intense, extreme, crazy
- Sho't left — quick ride, give me a lift
Pronunciation Features
South African English pronunciation varies significantly by community, but some features are widely shared:
- Non-rhoticity: Like British English, standard SAE does not pronounce the "r" after vowels.
- Vowel shifts: The "kit" vowel (/ɪ/) is often centralized, sounding closer to /ə/. "Bit" may sound like "but" to American ears.
- The PRICE vowel: Often starts with a more back/central position than in other varieties.
- "Yes" as "yis": The short "e" sound is often raised.
The diversity of accents in South Africa reflects its multilingual landscape. Speakers whose first language is Zulu, Xhosa, or Afrikaans each bring distinctive phonological features to their English, creating a rich tapestry of accents and dialects.
Grammar Features
South African English grammar is broadly based on British English, with some distinctive features:
- "Is it?" used as a universal tag question: "She's moving to Cape Town." "Is it?" This replaces the usual English tag question system ("isn't she?").
- "Busy" + verb-ing to indicate ongoing action: "I'm busy cooking dinner." (I'm currently cooking.)
- "Come with" without an object: "We're going to the shops. Do you want to come with?" (Standard English would add "us.")
- Double negatives appear in informal speech among some communities.
Spelling Conventions
South African English follows British spelling conventions almost entirely: colour, centre, organise, defence. This reflects the country's historical connection to Britain and its continuing alignment with British educational and publishing standards.
Varieties of South African English
Linguists identify several distinct varieties of South African English, often linked to community and linguistic background:
- White South African English: Influenced by Afrikaans, with sub-varieties ranging from Afrikaans-accented to near-RP
- Black South African English: Influenced by Bantu languages, with distinctive phonological and syntactic features
- Indian South African English: Found mainly in KwaZulu-Natal, influenced by South Asian languages
- Cape Flats English: Associated with the Cape Coloured community in Cape Town, with unique vocabulary and pronunciation
These varieties coexist and interact, and South Africans frequently code-switch between English and their other languages.
Popular Expressions
- "Shame!" — An all-purpose expression of sympathy, endearment, or pity. "Ag, shame, that's so sweet!" or "Shame, the poor thing is sick."
- "Ja, no" — A distinctly South African way of saying "well, yes" or expressing reluctant agreement.
- "It's a mission" — It's a hassle, it's difficult.
- "Check you later" — See you later.
- "Make a plan" — Find a solution, be resourceful.
- "Load shedding" — Scheduled power outages (a uniquely South African experience).
Summary and Key Takeaways
- South African English is shaped by Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and many other languages.
- Afrikaans loanwords (braai, biltong, lekker, bakkie) are deeply embedded in everyday speech.
- African language contributions include globally recognized concepts like ubuntu.
- Unique vocabulary includes "robot" for traffic light and the time expressions "just now" and "now now."
- "Is it?" serves as a universal tag question.
- Spelling follows British conventions.
- Multiple distinct varieties reflect South Africa's diverse linguistic communities.
For more on English worldwide, explore British vs. American English, Indian English, and English dialects and accents.