Language/Afrikaans/Grammar/Alphabet-and-Pronunciation

Afrikaans Grammar → Introduction to Afrikaans → Alphabet and Pronunciation

As an Afrikaans language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am thrilled to introduce you to the Afrikaans alphabet and pronunciation. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of Afrikaans sounds and their corresponding letters.

Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Nouns and Gender & Adverbs and Comparatives.

Afrikaans Alphabet

The Afrikaans alphabet consists of 26 letters, just like the English alphabet. However, there are some differences in letter pronunciation and usage. Here are the Afrikaans letters:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Notice some similarities to English, but also some differences. For example, the letters "c," "q," and "x" are not commonly used in Afrikaans. In addition, the letters "ch," "sj," and "ng" are considered separate letters in Afrikaans.

Pronunciation

Pronouncing words correctly in Afrikaans is crucial to mastering the language. Therefore, let's take a look at some basic pronunciation rules:

- Vowels are pronounced very similarly to Spanish. For example, the letter "a" is always pronounced like the "a" in "father." - Consonants are generally pronounced like in English, but with a few exceptions. The letters "g," "r," and "w" are notably different in Afrikaans. - The most significant difference between English and Afrikaans pronunciation is the use of vocals. Almost all words in Afrikaans have clear vocals with a specific emphasis on the first syllable of the word. One of the most noticeable differences is with the letter "e" in Afrikaans, which is pronounced like the "e" in "bet" and "set" rather than the "ee" sound in English.

Let's practice some common Afrikaans words:

Afrikaans	Pronunciation	English
goeie more	ɣawie moʁə	good morning
dankie	dɑŋki	thank you
totsiens	tɔt.sins	goodbye
vrou	frʊə	woman
tronk	trɔŋk	prison

Tips for improving pronunciation

Improving your Afrikaans pronunciation takes practice, but here are some tips to get you started:

• Listen to Afrikaans speakers as much as you can, whether it's through videos online or interacting with locals.
• Practice speaking Afrikaans as often as possible, even if it's just to yourself.
• Break down words into their syllables and emphasize the correct vowel sounds.
• Pay attention to the stress on the first syllable of a word, as it plays a critical role in Afrikaans pronunciation.

In the next lesson, we will explore the basics of Afrikaans nouns and gender. Until then, keep practicing your Afrikaans sounds!

Table of Contents - Afrikaans Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Afrikaans

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Gender
• Adjectives and Agreement
• Verbs and Tenses
• Adverbs and Comparatives
• Pronouns and Prepositions

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Saying Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Talking about Family and Friends
• Describing People and Appearance
• Daily Routine and Activities
• Food and Drink
• Numbers and Shopping
• Travel and Transportation

  ---

Culture and Social Customs

• South African Culture and History
• Afrikaans Music and Literature
• Celebrations and Festivals
• Etiquette and Social Customs
• Business and Work Culture
• Sport and Leisure Activities
• Daily Life and Routines

Other Lessons

• Sentence Structure
• Pronouns and Prepositions
• Give your Opinion
• Nouns and Gender
• Formal vs Informal Imperatives
• Definite article
• Questions
• The Rule of “Two Knees”
• Adjectives and Agreement

Sources

• Afrikaans - Wikipedia
• Afrikaans Alphabet with Audio - ielanguages.com