UNDERSTANDING THE South African ACCENT

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Just as it has an amazing diversity of animals, the variety of languages spoken in South Africa is extremely wide and attractive. Although this may seem a bit chaotic, it’s not really so, and once you decide to begin, you will see how exciting it is to venture into the English of this country.

Learn to understand the South African English accent with ABA English. With us, you will see that learning English is easier. Thanks to the teaching method with ABA Films, you will enjoy the advantages that knowing English gives you when traveling and doing business.

SOUTH AFRICAN ENGLISH ACCENT

While the current Republic of South Africa was one of the English colonies and its inhabitants speak English, it is one of the countries with the greatest number of official languages. In addition to this language and Afrikaans, there are nine other official languages, including Zulu and Swazi. As one might imagine, eleven languages cannot remain separate and South African English is influenced by all these languages as well as by unofficial dialects.

At first glance this perspective can scare anyone who wants to communicate in English in South Africa, but once you start your journey with ABA English you will see how easy it is for you to understand and converse in English with South African speakers. In a short time you will have all the necessary tools to enjoy your travels and do business in the home of lions.

UNDERSTANDING THE South African ACCENT

HOW IS THE SOUTH AFRICAN ENGLISH ACCENT PRONOUNCED?

Some of the characteristics of South African English are the non-rhotic pronunciation, that is, the ‘r’s are pronounced softly; and the particular way of saying some words like right in which the ‘ai’ sound changes to ‘oi’ (‘roit’). Since English is not the only language in South Africa, the local variety is influenced by the other languages and dialects spoken in the country.

Although there are words in South African English that are the same as British English, such as jacket (jacket), there are others that are not so easy to understand. Here are some for you to start getting to know.

Gogo: word of Zulu origin meaning grandmother.

Jam: informal use, means having a good time, partying.

Kip: nap.

Moola: money.

Sarmi: sandwich.

LEARN THE SOUTH AFRICAN ENGLISH ACCENT WITH ABA ENGLISH

The ABA Films will allow you to learn English by listening to native actors from different parts of the world while showing you different situations and traditions. In this way you train your ear, greatly improve your pronunciation and vocabulary, and prepare yourself to interact with hundreds of different people.
UNDERSTANDING THE South African ACCENT

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