SAlanguages.com : website dedicated to the languages of South Africa

Mirror: http://www.cyberserv.co.za/users/~jako/lang/

The Republic of South Africa has eleven official languages and prides itself on its diversity. This website is concerned with the languages (official and non-official) spoken in South Africa. Use the hyperlinks below to get more information on specific languages or language issues.

The Soccer World Cup 2010 is in South Africa!
- Get basic words and phrases in all official South African languages by clicking on the links below.
- Take note in South Africa the word  'soccer' is preferred as the name of the game rather than 'football'.
- To see soccer terminology in the official languages - see this soccer term list compiled by the National Language Service
- Other South African soccer related words emerging from the World Cup are:

• Ayoba - an expression of delight or approval; could be translated as 'cool'; made popular through the usage in MTN advertisements.
• Bafana Bafana - South African national male soccer team; literally means 'the boys the boys'.
• Banyana Banyana - South African national female soccer team; literally means 'the girls the girls'.
• Diski - alternative word for soccer.
• Diski dance - dance with many soccer movements associated with the World Cup.
• Ke nako - Phrase from the Sotho languages meaning 'it is time'
• Kuduzela - trumpet made from a kudu or other antelope horn used by spectators at soccer matches.
• Laduma - victory cry usually shouted when a goal is scored; literally means 'it thunders'.
• Makaraba (alt. makarapa) - decorated hat made from a hardhat; worn by soccer spectators.
• Vuvuzela - plastic trumpet used by spectators at soccer matches.
• Zakumi - official maskot for the 2010 Soccer World Cup; name derived from ZA (abbreviation used for South Africa) and -kumi (related to the word for the number 10 in many of the local languages)

Recent updates:
Season's Greetings in all the official languages
New additions to the list of names
Inserting Tshivenda diacritic symbols into MS Word
 

For translations in the official 
languages of South Africa, click here