The Afrikaans of the Cape Muslims 1815 to 1915

Abstract

This study looks at the Afrikaans of the Cape Muslim Community from 1815 to 1915. In the process of this examination various aspects of this variety of Afrikaans are focussed upon. The basic objective, however, is to draw attention to the literary tradition of Arabic-Afrikaans, - a unique process of writing Afrikaans in Arabic script. The historical development of this literary tradition is explored. This is done by looking at the places of origin of the Cape slaves, the ancestors of the Cape Muslim community. Particular attention is paid to the languages spoken by these slaves; the literary traditions of these languages, the cultural and linguistic traits which emerged as a result of acculturation and linguistic contact; and the transmission and perpetuation of these traits through their social and religious institutions.