The Influence of English on Afrikaans

[p. 252]

7.21 Abbreviations

Several abbreviations in Afrikaans would seem to be English inspired.

7.21.1

Opul (Opec), Vigs (Aids) and ...en Kie (...and Co.) are puristic translations of the corresponding English abbreviations which also have in common with those the fact that they function as acronyms.

7.21.2

B.B.P. (V.I.P.), b.v.p. (l.b.w.), I.K. (I.Q.), k.b.a. (c.o.d.) and L.V. (M.P.) function as words, like their English equivalents, without the words they stand for needing to be mentioned.

7.21.3

Bpk. (ltd.), edms. (pty.) and vk. m. (sq. m.) resemble their English equivalents in that it is apparently considered necessary to employ more than the first letter of the word being abbreviated. In addition, the plural form mnre (messrs) would also seem to be in imitation of English.

7.21.4

The following lexical items are in fact abbreviations of longer compound nouns which correspond exactly with similar abbreviations current in English. Aanglip (slip-on), bra (brassière),⁵² dwelms (drugs, < dwelmmiddels), foon (phone),⁵³ galeie (galleys, < galeiproef), gereedheids (stand-by),⁵⁴ Southern Lewens (Southern Life Assurance),⁵⁴ inry (drive-in),⁵⁵ kaf (caf.), kar (car), naskeer (aftershave), sant (sarge), geld trek (to draw money),⁵⁶ 'n vier-wiel aangedrewe (a four-wheel drive).

The common colloquial saying sien jou later corresponds in idiom and in abbreviation with English (< see you later < I'll see you later) and is presumably English inspired.

52 This could alternatively be regarded as a loanword as the original form is seldom used any more even in English.

53 In addition to the abbreviation foon, the compound noun oorfone (also plural as in English) occurs too. (cf. p. 237)

54 Gereedheids and lewens both contain a genitive -s for purposes of a compound which is not complete; the second part of the compound in the former case, as in English, can be -kaartjie or -vlug etc.

54 Gereedheids and lewens both contain a genitive -s for purposes of a compound which is not complete; the second part of the compound in the former case, as in English, can be -kaartjie or -vlug etc.

55 Not only is bioskoop or teater not necessary, but inry is also used in the plural in imitation of ‘drive-ins’ (inrye).

56 Is it possible that one can either trek or onttrek money in Afrikaans because one can either ‘draw’ or ‘withdraw’ it in English?