Afrikaans is spoken mainly by two groups of people in South Africa: Coloureds and Afrikaners.
One of the most interesting things about the language is the lack of verb conjugation in the present tense:
| Afrikaans | Dutch | English | German |
|---|---|---|---|
| ek is | ik ben | I am | ich bin |
| jy/u is | jij/U bent | you are (sing.) | du bist (informal sing.) |
| hy/sy/dit is | hij/zij/het is | he/she/it is | er/sie/es ist |
| ons is | wij zijn | we are | wir sind |
| julle is | jullie zijn | you are (plur.) | ihr seid (informal pl.) |
| hulle is | zij zijn | they are | Sie (formal sing. & pl.)/sie sind |
In regards to the speech community itself:
Afrikaans speakers have normally been considered Afrikaners (internationally) but this term tends to focus on the white Afrikaner community and excludes the Coloureds and any other speakers.
Afrikaanses is a new name for the community (or "Afrikaanssprekendes") which encompasses all groups.This identity, especially in present post-apartheid South Africa, has made a place in a variety of contexts:
It is found in a major language association :
ATKV (Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (Afrikaans Language and Cultural Association)
- This organisation is originally an Afrikaner organisation but now incorporates all speakers and works in various avenues (running a festival, Drama competitions).
Afrikaans op Televisie provides a list of media (movies, docos) regarding Afrikaanses
- http://www.afrikaansop.tv/speak-out/
- One of the series is called Binnelanders involving a “multiracial Afrikaans speaking community” revolving around the lives of doctors and nurses.
- http://beta.mnet.co.za/mnetvideo/BrowseVideo.aspx?channelId=3&CategoryId=104
- Check out the band Gazelle in the MK Awards of 2010! They've incorporated Khoekhoe and a funky beat:
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