73,385
edits
Afrikaans Genealogical Word List (view source)
Revision as of 14:39, 19 August 2009
, 19 August 2009t
(add links) |
(t) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
This list contains Afrikaans words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Afrikaans-English dictionary. Afrikaans is a Germanic language derived from several European languages, primarily Dutch. Many of the words resemble Dutch, Flemish, and German words. Consequently, the [[German_Word_List|German Genealogical Word List]] and [[Netherlands_Language_and_Languages|Dutch Genealogical Word List]] may also be useful to you. Some Afrikaans records contain Latin words. See the [[Latin Genealogical Word List|Latin Genealogical Word List]]. Afrikaans is spoken in South Africa and Namibia and by many families who live in other countries in eastern and southern Africa, especially in Zimbabwe. Most early South African records are written in Dutch, while a smaller number are written in French and German. After 1795 many were written in English. Afrikaans did not become an official language until 1925. Afrikaans and English are now the official languages of South Africa. Seventeen official African languages are also spoken. | This list contains Afrikaans words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Afrikaans-English dictionary. Afrikaans is a Germanic language derived from several European languages, primarily Dutch. Many of the words resemble Dutch, Flemish, and German words. Consequently, the [[German_Word_List|German Genealogical Word List]] and [[Netherlands_Language_and_Languages|Dutch Genealogical Word List]] may also be useful to you. Some Afrikaans records contain Latin words. See the [[Latin Genealogical Word List|Latin Genealogical Word List]]. Afrikaans is spoken in South Africa and Namibia and by many families who live in other countries in eastern and southern Africa, especially in Zimbabwe. Most early South African records are written in Dutch, while a smaller number are written in French and German. After 1795 many were written in English. Afrikaans did not become an official language until 1925. Afrikaans and English are now the official languages of South Africa. Seventeen official African languages are also spoken. | ||
== Language Characteristics == | == Language Characteristics == | ||
=== Variant Forms of Words === | === Variant Forms of Words === | ||
In Afrikaans, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who—whose—whom and marry— marries—married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the standard form of each Afrikaans word. As you read Afrikaans records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | In Afrikaans, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. ''Who—whose—whom and marry— marries—married'' are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the standard form of each Afrikaans word. As you read Afrikaans records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | ||
The endings of words in a document also may differ from what you find in this list. For example, the suffix -es is added to words to indicate a feminine form of the word. In Afrikaans, which incorporates many elements of Dutch and German, some words are formed by joining two or more words together. Very few of these compound words are included in this list. You will need to look up each part of the word separately.For example, Geboortedag is a combination of two words, Geboorte (birth) and Dag (day). | The endings of words in a document also may differ from what you find in this list. For example, the suffix '''''-es'''''is added to words to indicate a feminine form of the word. In Afrikaans, which incorporates many elements of Dutch and German, some words are formed by joining two or more words together. Very few of these compound words are included in this list. You will need to look up each part of the word separately.For example, ''Geboortedag'' is a combination of two words, ''Geboorte'' (birth) and ''Dag'' (day). | ||
=== Alphabetical Order === | === Alphabetical Order === | ||
Written Afrikaans uses a basic English alphabet order. Most Afrikaans dictionaries and indexes as well as the Family History Library Catalog use the following alphabetical order: | Written Afrikaans uses a basic English alphabet order. Most Afrikaans dictionaries and indexes as well as the Family History Library Catalog use the following alphabetical order: | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
a b c* d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z | a b c* d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z | ||
<nowiki>*The letter c was used in place-names and personal names but not in general Afrikaans words until 1985. The letters ê, ë, and ô are also used in some Afrikaans words. | <nowiki>*</nowiki>The letter '''c''' was used in place-names and personal names but not in general Afrikaans words until 1985. The letters '''ê''', '''ë''', and '''ô''' are also used in some Afrikaans words. | ||
If an ’n appears with a word, it indicates the English article a or an. For example, rak, ’n means a rack. Rok, ’n means a dress. | If an '''’n''' appears with a word, it indicates the English article ''a'' or ''an''. For example, ''rak, ’n'' means ''a rack''. ''Rok, ’n'' means ''a dress''. | ||
This word list is alphabetized according to English alphabetical order. | This word list is alphabetized according to English alphabetical order. | ||
In Afrikaans indexes of surnames or of places, it is important to note that prefixes such as van der, de, or ter, and so forth are considered in alphabetization.For example, De Wetsdorp would come before van de Merwe or v/d Merwe. | In Afrikaans indexes of surnames or of places, it is important to note that prefixes such as ''van der, de,'' or ''ter'', and so forth are considered in alphabetization.For example, ''De Wetsdorp ''would come before ''van de Merwe ''or ''v/d Merwe''. | ||
=== Spelling === | === Spelling === | ||
Spelling rules were not standardized in earlier centuries. Words were written as they sounded. The following letters could be interchanged: | Spelling rules were not standardized in earlier centuries. Words were written as they sounded. The following letters could be interchanged: | ||
b used for p | b used for p | ||
s used for ''z'' | |||
d used for t | |||
t used for ''d'' or ''dt'' | |||
=== Additional Resources === | i used for j | ||
v used for ''w ''or ''f'' | |||
p used for b | |||
y used for ''i'' or ''j'' | |||
=== Additional Resources === | |||
This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Afrikaans-English dictionary. At the Family History Library, you can find these dictionaries in the AFR./MIDEAST collection. The call numbers begin with 439.36321. You can also find them by looking in the Family History Library Catalog. | This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Afrikaans-English dictionary. At the Family History Library, you can find these dictionaries in the AFR./MIDEAST collection. The call numbers begin with 439.36321. You can also find them by looking in the Family History Library Catalog. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 51: | ||
In the Locality Search, look under SOUTH AFRICA - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES. | In the Locality Search, look under SOUTH AFRICA - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES. | ||
=== Key Words === | === Key Words === | ||
To find and use specific types of Afrikaans records, you will need to know some key words in Afrikaans. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the Afrikaans words with the same or similar meanings. For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Afrikaans words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in Afrikaans records to indicate marriage. | To find and use specific types of Afrikaans records, you will need to know some key words in Afrikaans. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the Afrikaans words with the same or similar meanings. For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Afrikaans words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in Afrikaans records to indicate marriage. | ||
| Line 133: | Line 141: | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== General Word List === | === General Word List === | ||
This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list. In this list, optional versions of Afrikaans words or variable endings (such as some plural or feminine endings), are given in parentheses. Parentheses in the English column clarify the definition. | This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list. In this list, optional versions of Afrikaans words or variable endings (such as some plural or feminine endings), are given in parentheses. Parentheses in the English column clarify the definition. | ||
| Line 2,515: | Line 2,523: | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Numbers === | === Numbers === | ||
In some genealogical records, numbers are spelled out. This is especially true with dates. The following list gives the cardinal (for example, 1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (for example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Days of the month are written in ordinal form. | In some genealogical records, numbers are spelled out. This is especially true with dates. The following list gives the cardinal (for example, 1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (for example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Days of the month are written in ordinal form. | ||
| Line 2,727: | Line 2,735: | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Dates and Time === | === Dates and Time === | ||
In early Afrikaans records and in records kept in Dutch or German, dates were often spelled out. For example: | In early Afrikaans records and in records kept in Dutch or German, dates were often spelled out. For example: | ||