South African and
Nigerian Englishes are two varieties of the English language spoken in South
Africa and Nigeria respectively.
Unlike in Nigeria where
English is the only official and the most widely used language, there are
eleven official languages in South Africa:
Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda
and Ndebele; with English as the fourth most widely spoken language. The top
three most common languages in terms of how many people speak them are Zulu,
Xhosa and Afrikaans.
The Nigerian English
differs from the South African English in terms of vocabulary. Though there are
also phonological differences, this tutorial only projects the vocabulary or
word differences.
What is Vocabulary?
Vocabulary is the sum
total of words which are found in a language or which a language has. As a
matter of fact, there are words that are found or used in South African English
that are not in any way present in Nigerian English and even the Standard
English.
Nigerian English is based
on the Standard British English due to the fact that she was colonized by
Britain although there is an influx of American English due to her increasing
contacts with America in recent times. This has undoubtedly prevented the use
of new words (that is, words that are not found in British or American English)
in Nigerian English.
However, although South Africa was colonized by Britain (after
the Dutch), the English language spoken there is not solely based on the
Standard British English. It is heavily influenced by Afrikaans and sprinkled
with Bantu language words. This influence has given rise to non English words
which are now incorporated in the variety of the English Language spoken in
South Africa. It is at this point that you will notice a sharp dichotomy
between the Nigerian English and the South African English.
Let’s have a look at some
words you will find in South African English that are neither used nor found in
Nigeria English; their meanings and how they are used:
1. Lekker/lekka – cool or great.
Example:
I had a lekker day today
guys!
2. Kif – fun/good/cool
Example:
That movie was kif; I
want to see it again.
3. Babalas – hangover
Example:
I have a babalas today. I
think I drank too much beer.
4. Bakkie – a pick up or
merchandise vehicle.
Example:
Grab the bakkie and let’s
go pick up the fridge from the neighbours.
5. Boet – brother, friend
Example:
Hey boet! Want to meet
later for a coffee?
6. Kuk – rubbish/not good at all
Example:
That food was kuk, I
don’t think I’ll eat there again
7. Braai – a barbecue
Example:
Should we have a braai
today guys and girls?
8. Is it? – Used commonly to
express surprise or “is that so”?
Example:
She broke up with me
yesterday
Is it? Sorry man.
9. Jol – To have fun or go out
for the night
Example:
I feel like going on a
jol tonight, are you coming?
10. Ja - Yes. The "J" is pronounced as "y" as in
"ya!"
Example:
Will you be in school
tomorrow?
Ja man!
11. Eish – a colloquial word
expressing shame, surprise or disapproval.
Example:
Eish, I can’t believe I
failed the exam.
12. Dop – a drink (alcohol).
Example:
Do you want to have a dop
after work?
In sum, although the
Nigerian English and the South African English are varieties of the English
Language, to an extent, they are mutually unintelligible.
Having read that, do you
love rolling your mouth in English like a South African?