Old Takkies Indaba

Growing up in the shielded environment I did, I was unaware about this whole ‘language of the oppressor’ thing. This language of course was Afrikaans. I was always in love with the language, and I even had a boyhood crush on my Afrikaans teacher. Things that I maybe shouldn’t mention, but I think she sort of had a clue. I am even brave enough to state that she may have also had a little soft spot for me too, but now I am straying from the subject.

I feel that it’s strange that people have think so negatively about a language based purely on the fact that some very close-minded people who oppressed a race spoke the same language. Granted I do understand that being forced to learn a language by people who pretty much dictated almost all aspects of your life can leave a very bitter taste in one’s mouth, but I really believe that by still attacking said language today is merely just a means of reciprocating the prejudice thus not allowing us to move forward.

Albeit an unpopular viewpoint for a black male, I love Afrikaans. I love languages in general, but Afrikaans is one of my favourite ones. My boy-crush added to that love and I also developed a fondness for Afrikaans girls as well. As my mother was a Free State citizen I also spent a lot of time there and this further fed my love for both the language and the women. The fact that I now have a firm grasp on the Afrikaans language has been nothing but beneficial for me. Driving from Jo’burg to Cape Town, one goes through towns where the people can only converse in their language of choice. When one of my road trips went bad, I was able to get us help and back on the road, plus a met some good people too. The road trip was extended by a few hours because we were invited to a braai.

Back in the days there were also some cool TV shows in Afrikaans. I am the definition of a TV addict, so I use to watch many of these shows while I was growing up, even though there were times when I hadn’t the faintest clue as to what was going on. I saw an Afrikaans movie the other day and I was shocked by the fact that I was hardly reading the sub-titles. I also loved the movie in the end. It was a typical teen comedy about a nerd’s journey into becoming cool, with over-sexed boys trying to hook up. I enjoyed the film all that much more due to the fact that I know a bit about the Afrikaans culture and while all those watching alongside me were bored stiff, I was in stitches attempting to breath between jokes.

I hear where people are coming from; the language is immediately associated with past pain of the highest degree. I just think that in order to eventually co-exist in a society where people are treated just as that-people, we need to learn and respect each others culture. Prejudice met with prejudice works only to the advantage of prejudice. I always see how Afrikaans people appreciate the fact that I make an effort to communicate to them in their language. It’s gotten to the point where my clients hold entire meetings in Afrikaans knowing full well I understand and I don’t mind. These meetings sometimes turn out so much better because the client is able to express him or herself succinctly.

At the end of the day, it’s a language and a way to communicate, so don’t hate! Sien julle later.