Complete Afrikaans Beginner to Intermediate Book and Audio Course: Learn to read, write, speak and understand a new language with Teach Yourself

by Lydia McDermott

A course in reading and writing, speaking and understanding Afrikaans. This book is suitable for those who are complete beginners or for those who have some knowledge of the language which need to be brushed up. It includes culture notes that help you get the most out of any business trip or holiday.

Genres: Reference

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2005

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another standard Teach Yourself language aid. The Afrikaans language is a neat sounding language in my opinion. It evolved from the Dutch vernacular of Holland (Hollandic dialect) spoken by the largely Dutch settlers (and then by the native Africans who associated with them) in South Africa, where it gradually began to develop distinguishing characteristics in the course of the 18th century. Afrikaans is now considered its own language and has distinct morphology, grammar, and spelling that differs from standard Dutch.

1. How are you?
Afrikaans: Hoe gaan dit met jou?
Dutch: Hoe gaat het met je?

2. I am fine/well, thank you.
Afrikaans: Ek is oukei, dankie.
Dutch: Hoe gaat goed met mij, dank je.

3. Good morning
Afrikaans: Goeiemore
Dutch: Goedemorgen

4. Good night:
Afrikaans: Goeie nag
Dutch: Goedenacht

The book is broken into the usual lessons to include greetings/introductions, going on a trip, eating & shopping, etc. Each chapter has an audio dialogue related to the topic that is helpful. The vocabulary lists, grammar explanations, and basic review exercises are helpful at learning the language. I would recommend this publisher or the Routledge Colloquial series if you or someone is serious about language self-study. Thanks!

[D J Rout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This updated version has been adapted to fit post-Mandela South Africa. Afrikaans is in decline, swept away by the acceptance of other African languages and the pervasion of English, but it's still popular enough to be worth learning, at least as an insight into a civilisation gone with the wind, so to speak.

But the Kindle can't pronounce Afrikaans to save itself, so you will go quietly insane if you're using the text-to-speech function. I mean, it does a better job than it did with Beowule but that isn't saying much.

A book well worth your acquisition.

[Ama]

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