Language
While the most commonly spoken language in Cape Town is Afrikaans, English is most commonly understood here. But, as English is only one of South Africa’s 11 official languages, a strong vernacular has developed, and English-speaking visitors might have a hard time recognising some of the words. We’re a friendly bunch in Cape Town, so if you’re totally confused, just ask and we’ll have you speaking South African “now now”! Here is some local lingo to get you started:
ENGLISH |
AFRIKAANS |
XHOSA |
Cape Town |
Kaapstad |
eKapa |
LEARNING ENGLISH IN CAPE TOWN
While in Cape Town, enjoy a traditional South African "braai" (pronounced "bry"), known in other parts of the world as a barbecue.
There has been a phenomenal increase in foreign language visitors to Cape Town over the past decade, with many of them opting to stay longer than they had originally planned. It is not surprising then that there has been a growing need for institutions where one can learn English as a second language.
Today, English language centres operate throughout Cape Town. They offer courses for general, business, academic and social purposes. Courses are geared towards adult learners, but some centres do cater for younger learners as well.
The centres vary in location and size. Some are in the centre of Cape Town, others in Green Point and Sea Point, the Southern Suburbs or at the Waterfront. They take anything from 25 to 250 students at a time.
The English Language Travel Association of South Africa (ELTASA) ensures standards of quality and professionalism, affiliation to international organisations, competitive prices, accommodation choices, exciting social programmes, and the opportunity to do more than just learn a language.
Choices include training for Cambridge or TOEFL examinations, preparation for entry into a tertiary institution, volunteering, work placement, learning English on safari and much more.
ELTASA centres and Cape Town Tourism guarantee that learners will gain the maximum from their choice of Cape Town as an English language learning destination.
SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG
Capetonians have an amusing array of colloquial terms. Become one of us and throw in some South African slang.
Braai |
What you would know as a barbecue, and probably one of the first things you will be invited to do on arriving in Cape Town. We even celebrate national Braai Day on 24 September every year! |
Cooldrink or colddrink |
This is the common term for a soda. Ask for a soda in South Africa and you will receive a club soda. |
Eish |
(‘Aysh’) Zulu expression of surprise, bewilderment or shock. |
Howzit |
A traditional South African greeting that translates roughly as “How are you?” or “How are things?” |
Just now |
If a South African tells you they will do something “just now” they mean they will do it in the near future but not |
Jawelnofine |
Pronounced ‘yar well no fine’) Made up of four words “yes”, “well”, “no” and “fine”, this saying can express surprise and a sense that things aren’t really fine but there’s not much you can do about it. For example, having been caught speeding, your reaction on seeing the size of your traffic fine might be: “Jawellnofine.” |
Lekker |
(Pronounced ‘lekk-irr’ with a rolling ‘r’) Afrikaans word meaning nice. Also cool, good, great. Probably the most famous of South African words, so make sure you learn this one. |
Pavement |
South Africans walk on pavements and drive cars on the road. |
Robot |
South Africans tend to refer to traffic lights as robots. Sci-fi fans are out of luck – R2D2 and C3PO are not hanging about on every street corner. |
Rooibos |
pronounced ‘roy-borrs’) A popular South African tea made from the Cyclopia genistoides bush. Rooibos is Afrikaans word meaning ‘red bush’. Come and try a Red Cappuccin made from Rooibos at the Cape Town Tourism City Centre Visitor Information Centre. |
