HOW DESCRIPTIVE IS AFRIKAANS?

Well, as far as I'm concerned and being Afrikaans myself, I've come across quite a few words that are pretty damn descriptive. In the blogs to follow, I will take one Afrikaans word and compare it with its equivalent in English. Please take careful note dear reader;- If you feel offended or think that I'm knocking English as a written and spoken language, be assured that it is most definitely not my intention, but rather to start a conversation/debate around words and their meaning. If however you feel that I'm crossing some invisible line or breaking some unwritten rule, I profusely apologise (maybe profusely is to strong a word). Every language has its own appeal and uniqueness in terms of descriptive words and expressions, and how it is used to paint a mental picture or kick-start our imaginations.

So let's start with "roltrap" vs "escalator". 

Directly translated, "roltrap" means rolling stairs. If you picture an escalator in a mall, or even better, some of the iconic ones found in the London underground, it is not difficult to see how perfectly the Afrikaans word describes the machine - stairs literally "rolling" up and down. Escalator, although universally accepted as referring to the same mode of pedestrian transport, it can also refer to a person not willing to proceed or progress in life. "Roltrap" on the other hand only refers to one thing and cannot be used in any other way or to describe any other action, person or personality trait. How great is that!

Ok, so hopefully I now have your attention and that you as reader will share words from your own language and let me know in what manner these words are uniquely descriptive in comparison with other languages. 

This blog is not meant to be an academic debate or university level educational platform, but rather a forum where we can share knowledge, exchange ideas and even have the occasional laugh about some silly words, expressions and their meanings.

Are there words or expressions in your language that has fallen out of favour or just so damn archaic that only your great aunt remembers using it!........Do let me know.

Goodbye for now and keep your language pure.



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