Influences

Visualise the diverse origins of South African English

Tap sections to compare the contributions of the major language groups, or filter results by tapping the language labels to visualise the selection of your choice.

Hover over sections to compare the contributions of the major language groups, or filter results by clicking the language labels to visualise the selection of your choice.

Find more in the Text Edition

The chart above shows how, by 1850, the primary linguistic contribution to the rapidly growing South African English lexicon had switched from English to words derived from other Southern African languages. Tap to go to a list of words whose linguistic origins can be traced to Southern African languages. Use the Origin filter button at the top of the page to refine results and filter by individual languages.

The chart above shows how, by 1850, the primary linguistic contribution to the rapidly growing South African English lexicon had switched from English to words derived from other Southern African languages. Click to go to a list of words whose linguistic origins can be traced to Southern African languages. Use the Origin filter button at the top of the page to refine results and filter by individual languages.