The Afrikaans Language Museum, Western Cape: documenting the origins of Africa’s youngest tongue in Paarl

TThe emergence of a new language in modern times is unusual, but Afrikaans certainly qualifies – it was only recognised as a distinct language, rather than ‘badly spoken Dutch’, in the late 19th Century, and didn’t become an official language of South Africa till 1925. 

Afrikaans is a distinct creolised version of the southern-Hollands dialect of Dutch (Nederlands) that predominated among early European settlers in the Cape Colony, influenced somewhat by the European languages of other white settlers (German and French in particular), but owing even more to the Malay tongue of South-East Asian slaves, African languages brought by other slaves from both the west and east coasts of the continent, and indigenous Khoikhoi and San people. 

One of the advantages of a new language is that the process of its formation can be documented. At the Afrikaans Language Museum in the Western Cape town of Paarl (or the Taal Museum, to give it its Afrikaans name), the visitor can trace the shaping of the Afrikaans language. 

Some Afrikaans expressions don’t bear translation – no other language quite captures the exact meaning of words like ‘bakgat’; it means ‘cool; excellent’, but that word doesn’t really convey the required element of grudging admiration. ‘Gatvol’ is another – it means ‘fed-up’, but with far less civility.  

The Afrikaans Language Museum traces the unique history of the language, so while you might never have a gut-feel for certain expressions, you’ll definitely get a sense of where they come from.  

The museum has been set up in the very location where a body formed to promote Afrikaans was first established in 1875: Die Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners (‘the Association of True Afrikaners’, or GRA). The ground floor of this two-storey Georgian-style house has been restored and furnished as closely as possible to its original state. A noteworthy item situated in the children's bedroom, just as it was some 135 years ago, is the GRA’s printing press, used to publish Afrikaans literature. 

The top floor of the Afrikaans Language Museum presents the story and the personalities behind the development of the language. The exhibits are imaginatively presented as games, soundtracks and interactive displays. Exhibits are translated into English, so speaking Afrikaans is not a prerequisite. 

The Afrikaans Language Museum is best visited in conjunction with the Taal Monument – the Afrikaans Language Monument – which towers above Paal just outside town. Its columns and curves represent the pillars of Afrikaans (namely its diverse intercontinental influences) and its sweeping growth. The monument is located on the edge of Paarl Mountain and enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding winelands.