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Common South African Slang |
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There are some uniquely South African terms commonly used in informal gatherings and everyday chitchat.
South Africa, being a nation of many cultures, races and languages, has 11 official languages. But out of these, South Africans coined terms that are used commonly used by everyone from your business executive to the man in the street.
Here’s a little bit of history…The Dutch settlers arrived is SA in the 1600s. They found the San and various other South African tribes living in different areas of the country, speaking pretty much their own languages. It was only when all these different nations began to mix, through urbanisation that a new language and culture began to emerge in the cities. Okay sharp, enough with the history now. So, if you want to charm that vendor at the market into giving you a good discount on those curios, then drop the formalities and just say, heita my bra, if it’s a man, or it’s a lady you’re dealing with, simply say, heita my sistah!
And don’t be surprised to hear the person respond with a cheery, lekker, lekker my broer. It’s just a way of saying hey, man, everything’s fine. That’s the South African way of course.
Heita, pronounced, hei-ta, is a commonly used South African greeting. Not difficult to pronounce at all hey? Hei-ta mei bra, or hei-ta mei sistah, that easy, really.
Well, welcome to SA’s common lingo, which is a fusion of the various South African languages.
Check out our Glossary to help you get around.
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