Live & Learn Afrikaans
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Audio Lessons Software Dictionaries Exercise Books Flashcards Video & Media Learn Online Immersion Culture Corner
You'll find everything you need to learn Afrikaans right here... benefiting from expert advice on audio lessons, language learning software, dictionaries, exercise books, language immersion and much more... Of course, if there is something you would like to know but can’t seem to find it through us, please let us know - we will be happy to do some research and do our best to dig it up, and improve the site for you. The comment box is at the bottom of this page. Did you know? A milestone in the development of this language was when the Bible was translated into it, in 1933. A fresh translation was issued in 1983, to mark the 50th anniversary. Useful phrases Hoe gaan dit met jou? Hoe gaan dit met u? (polite) (How are you?) Goed, dankie! (I'm fine, thanks) Wat is jou naam? Wat is u naam? (polite) (What's your name?) My naam is Michael. (My name is Michael) Wat is die nuus? (What's new?) Dankie (Thankyou ) Totsiens! (See you Later/Goodbye)
Language SynopsisOriginating from the Dutch language, many considered this tongue to simply be a "dialect" until late into the 19th century. It is now spoken by between 12 and 16 million people, mostly within Namibia and South Africa. Of course it is also spoken in some other parts of Africa, as you will see in the image below.
Audio LessonsUnfortunately it doesn't seem that Pimsleur, Rosetta, or any of the other mainstream audio lesson providers out there produce audio lessons in this language.
Colloquial Afrikaans Audio Cassettes:
Teach Yourself Afrikaans Complete Course Package
Language Learning Software
Talk Now! Afrikaans:
EuroTalk Interactive - World Talk! Afrikaans: For more generic software like 102 Languages for example, please see our page on Software. Internet freebies:
English-Afrikaans DictionariesThe following dictionary, Hippocrene Practical Dictionary:
Internet freebies:
Exercise BooksColloquial Afrikaans: The Complete Course for Beginners is one of the best introductory courses to the language. If you're new to Afrikaans, we'd recommend this as a real must.
Internet freebies: Arican Languages Online is an excellent, user friendly resource with excellent sections on grammar, culture, vocabulary... you name it! This site is still slightly under construction but even so, it blows us away with its content and sources for Afrikaans language usage and practice. Flashcards
LingvoSoft FlashCards 2008 Internet freebies: Free Flashcards in any language: At Live and Learn Languages we offer free flashcards in any language. If you'd like to get your hands on some, click on the link above to go through to our flashcard page where you'll find instructions on how to get them. Video & MediaFor tips and ideas for methods to teach yourself a language using video, see our Video page. It can be done with any DVD that you can opt to have the audio or subtitles in the target language. Internet Freebies:
Learn Afrikaans Live OnlineHere is a wonderful resource for students and teachers alike! Here you will find Afrikaans teachers and their details, for example where they are located and how they will be able to teach you, either by email, phone, or other live internet methods. You might even find a private tutor near you, for one-on-one lessons! If not, no worries, there's nothing technology can't do, to bring a teacher right to you!Internet Freebies: Free Teacher/Student meet up is provided by Live & Learn languages. If you are an Afrikaans teacher and would like to teach Afrikaans live by telephone or through the internet, please let us know using the comment box at the bottom of the page. In turn, if you are a student wanting to learn Afrikaans live on the net or over the phone, please let us know. We will provide your contact and/or profile to teachers/students who are interested. Tuition rates and methods of payment will be up to you to determine with each other. Don't worry, we won't be after any commission or hidden fees. We are happy just to help with the introductions! Language Immersion
Surrounding yourself with Afrikaans words, sounds and music will be the very best way to learn. Of course living in South Africa or Namibia and using the language daily is the best way to immerse yourself, but if that isn't possible for you right now, do your best to immerse yourself where you live, using the following suggestions… 1. Use a dictionary to print words like “table”, "door", "window", "kettle", "bed", "chair", "mirror" etc and stick them onto those items around the house. Over time these words will automatically become part of your vocabulary, without even trying to memorize them! You could also in time join some verbs, like eat, open/close, wash, boil, sleep, sit, look, etc so as to associate them with the objects. Try it! 2. Listen to the radio abit each day and tune in your ears! 3. Keep up with the news each day! 4. Look up the weather each day! 5. Keep up with the media 6. Use www.Google.com/intl/af/ instead of Google in English… and set your search options so that only pages in Afrikaans comes up... OR use Google’s translation tools to turn English pages that you’re familiar with into Afrikaans, and get to know the word equivalents that way. 7. Listen to Afrikaans music and look for the lyrics to your favorite songs! Here is a song by Steve Hofmeyr called Pampoen, and here are the lyrics (open the expandable box):
Sing, sing jou woorde teen my vas
Bring jou hele lewe in ’n tas
Vat ’n trein na Bloemfontein
En die 506 na Petrus Steyn
En as jy wil, vat daar ’n bicycle
Volg, volg die grondpad teen die bult Hol, oor die velde as jy wil Hier wag ek die jare om Vir ’n stofwolk op die horison Of iets soortgelyk, wat soos jy lyk Ek't nog ’n vrot pampoen en ’n stukkende skoen En ’n trekker wat se tires lek Vir alles wat ek aan jou gedoen het Kom jy by my intrek Ek't nog ’n vrot pampoen en ’n stukkende skoen En ’n plaas wat ek afbetaal Vir alles wat ek aan jou gedoen het Kom jy om my te haal Stuur, stuur my liefde vir jou ma Maar, as jy kom, los haar net daar My baby hier's net plek vir die drie van ons Want dis ek en jy en ’n af-oorhond Sy naam is Roof, maar hy's al jare doof Bring, bring daai goedjies wat jou pla En ek, maak ’n ring van ogiesdraad Ek spaar nog vir die diamant En ’n donkiekar vir die predikant Ek sal moet blomme leen, tot dit eendag reën
Worldnomads provide a regular feed of updated stories written by bloggers/travelers in South Africa. Culture CornerHere are some quirky and useful expressions:
Bangbroek (Scaredy Pants) Boet (Bro) Dinges (whatchmacallit - pronounced "dingus") Dof (stupid person) Eina (ouch) Jislaaik (wow) Kiff (nice) Lekker (great) Oke (macho) Robots (traffic lights) Swak (bummer) Cultural Quirks: South Africans are known for their love of sports: cricket, rugby and soccer, so don't head over without brushing up on the latest in these feilds of knowledge, or you might get called a Dof! National Dishes and recipes: A typical braai (barbecue) will inclued ostrich meat, kudo, springbok, and boewors... and no usual meal in South Africa would go without meat in it! Pap en smoor Koeksister Sosatie (a type of kebab) Rooibos (red tea, very healthy, no caffeine) Traditional Music:
Help Others Live & LearnHave you had the experience of learning Afrikaans? If so we'd love to hear about which resources you found useful. Please e-mail us your findings using the form below. Your shared language learning experiences will save other language learners' time, energy, and money. In fact, that is the the mission of Live & Learn Languages!
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The excellent Colloquial Language Book Series has produced this version of their book as an audio cassette, which many people have found invaluable. The audio material has proven very popular amongst Arikaans learners.
An excellent language course that also comes with 2 CDs of audio material, if you prefer the modern way, and is very highly reviewed.
Language software for beginners to the language which is impressive because it delivers Afrikaans instruction in upwards of 102 languages (good if your native language isn't English). In addition to the extensive vocabulary taught, and interactive games, it is able to remember the mistakes you make and is thus able to target your weak points! A very "smart" buy!
Language software for intermediate learners. This program also provides instruction in more than just English, in 32 languages to be exact. Equipped with many games for practice, aswell as a recording studio where you record your own voice and play the part of an actor. How good are you at acting by the way? And don't let us forget, there are dictation and comprehension exercises. Well designed to keep you progressing in this language, that's for sure.
Revised in the year 2000, this is a useful 430 page Afrikaans/English dictionary. Many have found it's strength is in translating Afrikaans words into English.
is a great flashcard program which uses 5 different flashcard games to help you memorize potentially thousands of words.
