Questions pertaining to the South African dialect of English (SAfrE, SAfrEng, SAE, en-ZA).
0
votes
1answer
95 views
“Is it” South Africa only
I don't know if it is still in vogue but ten years ago in South Africa the phrase "Is it?" was common. It could be used as a response to almost any statement. Is it (ha ha) unique to South Africa or ...
4
votes
8answers
540 views
Dinky cars (toy cars)
I came across this term while proofreading an unpublished poem by an Irish poet. The context is not important so I'll just say that it is clear that it means “toy cars”.
I Googled the term and see ...
7
votes
4answers
806 views
Who speaks South African English (out of the many languages/ethnicities spoken in SA)?
From the limited experience I have of hearing English spoken by South Africans or even knowing someone is South African (from real life or movies), I find it impossible to really tell when someone is ...
5
votes
3answers
485 views
Different uses of 'kaffir' by white South Africans and Muslims
Back in apartheid-era South Africa and, in camera, probably even today, the word 'kaffir' is used in much the same way 'nigger' is used in the western world, ie. as a racist epithet directed at black ...
6
votes
6answers
4k views
Is “Saffer” an offensive term for a South African?
I've always believed that "Saffer" is a derogatory term for a South African.
But a few minutes earlier, I saw this tweet by ESPN:
So, isn't "Saffer" a derogatory term?
3
votes
2answers
491 views
How should a (North American) Native English Speaker prounounce the word 'Afrikaans'?
I've always had trouble with the word 'Afrikaans'. I could say it the way South Africans say it, but then I'm not sure if I'd just be saying the word with a South African accent. After all, I don't ...
