Namlish
Namlish is a portmanteau of the words Namibian (German Namibian ) and English (English English ). It is a mixed language, which is in Namibia, spoken by large parts of the black African population of the country, but especially from the Ovambo and Kavango. Namlish is a special form of the English language and is considered in part as a form of Pidgin. Leaving aside the numerous peculiarities of Namlish initially left out so it looks like in its population in terms of pronunciation, intonation and vocabulary more British English than American English. Namlish has developed especially in the north of Namibia, which is densely populated by the Ovambo and Kavango.
Every now and then is also referred to the mixture of the German language in Namibia with English as Namlish especially in German-speaking countries. More often, however, this mixed language called specifically Southwest earth Uch.
Background
In Namibia, English is the official language of the country today. This is true since the country's independence in 1990, and that, although English of any major ethnic group in the country is spoken as a mother tongue (including Namibia was never colonized by an English-speaking nation ). Before the country's independence, although English was already firmly entrenched as the common language in addition to Afrikaans, but Afrikaans was used significantly more often in reality. The main reason to choose English as the official language was, for the new rulers after independence ( SWAPO ) in the fact that English is a world language. In addition, they wanted to save yourself any ethnic tensions in the multiethnic state of Namibia 's official language by the non- imposition of a Namibian languages: as a patronizing a certain Namibian ethnic group was avoided from the start by defining the English language. The still widespread Afrikaans as an official language different from most because SWAPO and also large parts of the black African population of Namibia regarded this language as a symbol of oppression by the ultimately toppled apartheid regime. Therefore played in the decision establishing the official language of the fact that the number of native English speakers in Namibia at the time of independence was very low ( and still is ) a subordinate role. In addition, the SWAPO took the view then that just all ethnic groups " equally disadvantaged" are due to the very small number of native English speakers. This was true then, but only partly because, as it turned out, the white minority Namibia decreed generally good knowledge of English. In addition, many Namibians living abroad, who returned after independence the country had acquired some excellent command of English abroad. These two groups were then on a kind of " English-speaking elite" in the country, which continues to this day, while the vast majority of the population is disadvantaged by the definition in English as an official language.
In 2005, only 0.8 % of all Namibians were native English speakers ( loud Tötemeyer but 1.9 % in 2001 ). At least in the first years after independence, Afrikaans was therefore also the lingua franca in Namibia, although it had lost its official status to the English language. For example, most criminal cases were brought before court in Afrikaans at this time yet.
In Namibia, there are now 14 written languages and other 16 languages that exist only in oral form. The 13 written languages in addition to English are recognized in Namibia today as " national languages ". However, none of these languages is encouraged in significant ways. These 30 different languages and dialects which are spoken in Namibia, today have an impact on the way how English is spoken in the country.
Because the vast majority of Namibians speak English only as a second or third language, many words and phrases from the actual mother languages if English is spoken, taken over into English. In the vocabulary of Namlish numerous literal translations of words and phrases from the Namibian tribal languages Oshiwambo and Kavango find today into English. In addition, many words and phrases from Afrikaans are used in direct or literally translated form in general. However, there are also words and phrases from the Damara, Herero and the other Namibian tribal languages. In this context, the thesis was that Namlish is due to the ethnic diversity of Namibia today in a number of forms exist, which differ from each other quite regionally, postulated in 2013 by Haushona - Kavamba in Windhoek Observer. Chance find, due to the German colonial past, even German words application. The ensuing mixed language with the English, which is spoken by the black African population in South Africa, quite comparable.
Examples
Sayings
Other features
As in the example above, I'm coming now now Namlish spokesman often turn to the repetition of words in order to achieve a particular emphasis on one condition. To mention here would be, for example, words such as fine fine (Eng. good, good ) very well or Hi, hi! for a particularly joyful greeting. If you have a Namlish Speaker with How are you? (Eng. how are you? ) greets, then you will get in most cases the answer yes or yebo, although in English no response to this sentence is necessary because it is simply a form of greeting. The yebo originates from the Zulu language and means a strong yes. It is used widely in southern Africa.
Many a time, the Namlish regarding the plural and singular grammatical peculiarities in comparison to the "real " English: So in Namlish for example, the phrase " She is having black hairs " (Eng. She has black hair ) are common, although one in correct English the hair (English hair) despite actual majority attaches no "s". This mistakenly attached " s " can be found, for example, when Namlish word " Musics" again when the plurality of music pieces or genres to be made clear. About Money (English money) is in Namlish often in the plural ( engl. them) rather than in actually common singular ( engl. it) spoken.
If it is, talking about something small, such as a small object, often set Namlish spokesman the syllable ka before the actual English word, so that, for example, then a small "thing " (English thing) to ka -thing is.
Be the English "you have to" or "you must" In Namlish ( dt you have / have you ), "you should" (engl. you should / should ) and "you could" (engl. you could / you could ) practically without exception in the phrase " you must" summarized. Thus takes place in Namlish practically only "you must" application, which causes irritation and possibly also rude to outsiders, as it is in British English here is a command form.
Because Namlish Speakers are not native English speakers in most cases, new formulations are in Namlish come back to the day, which was strange to outsiders and can certainly appear to be very funny when compared to "real " English. Examples of this are, for example, proven " pronouncements " as "Both of you three come here! " (Eng. "Both of you three, come here !") or " slope did calendar or else I'll hang myself" (Eng. " hanging the calendar on or I'll hang myself !"). Reference to the latter wants the Namlish spokesman said that he will hang up the calendar, if not before doing the person addressed, and not as loudly proclaimed "real" English, that he will hang himself, if the calendar is not by the person addressed would be suspended. Another example would be the phrase " Pick up the paper and fall in the dustbin! " (Eng. "Lifting the paper and fall in the dustbin !"), being but merely requires that the called party pick up the paper and to throw in the trash.
The English verb suffering ( "suffer" dt ) is very common in Namlish apply if it is received on any major or minor problems or shortcomings. Therefore, suffering is often " over-exploited " in Namlish because it usually takes place in real English only in relation to the very serious, suffering under certain problems and shortcomings application.
The English word meat (Eng. "meat" ) referred to Namlish generally only beef, goat meat, and venison, while chicken is in contrast to the "real " English in most cases specifically referred to as chicken (Eng. "chicken" ). Pork and lamb, which in turn referred to the "real " English general or specific than pork lamb, are in Namlish however, in most cases similar to beef, venison and goat meat simply referred to as " meat".
Pronunciation
In Namlish the underlying linguistic influences are reflected in dialect again, so that many English words are not pronounced as usual. The English word Clothes (German clothing) is almost always stressed, for example, over two syllables, while only the first syllable is stressed in British English. Another example of such a change in syllable emphasis, for example, the English word kissed ( kissed dt ).
In general, the respective native languages appear to have a strong influence on the debate. Problems to understand it, for example, come because a large number of native speakers of Oshiwambo swap the letters " L" and " R " if it is Namlish sprechen.Dies among other things, that the letter "R" does not occur in Oshiwambo. Therefore sounds in Namlish for example, the sentence " My love for you flows stronger than the river Jordan " (Eng. " my love for you is flowing faster than the Jordan River " ) roughly as follows: "My love for you frows stlonger than the liver Joldán ". Native speakers of Otjiherero in turn have a problem with words that begin with the letter "D". Then, strongly tend to put an "N " in front of each "D " so that, for example, the English word "Dangerous " (Eng. "dangerous" ) " Ndangerous " is. The Nama and Damara, however, tend, particularly when English words beginning with a vowel, insert click sounds. Native speakers of Rukwangali in turn have problems with the pronunciation of the English th - sound, which is why this is often spoken of as a simple " S". The Lozi in the Caprivi Strip have difficulties in a following a consonant "S" correctly pronounce, so that, for example, from the English against (Eng. " against ( something ) " ) " agenest " is. Even many native speakers of Afrikaans bring inconsistencies with the correct pronunciation of English words of the day: How frequently is the letter " H " at the beginning of an English word in a "J" converted so that, for example, from "Help" ( dt. "Help" ) " Jelp " is.
As a result English words speak for themselves many English teachers who have grown up around in areas with irregular use of the English language, especially in rural regions, wrong and bring, compared to correct English, incorrect wording and phrases of the day. Then order them contribute directly to the spread of the Namlish.
The "R" is usually very very soft to the Namlish so that, for example, the word car (German car) is more or less Approx. For listeners who are not used to Namlish in the pronunciation of English words, for example, the words Bird ( dt bed) can therefore listen identical (German Vogel) and bed thoroughly. To this end, the fact contributes beyond that Namlish spokesman in most cases, the east -like emphasis on the letters U and I in certain English words such as "Bird " (Eng. bird), "to burn " ( dt. burning) or "to turn " (Eng. rotate ) can not pronounce correctly, but that instead rather like an e stress.
Reception
Opponents of the progressive spread of Namlish attribute this to the they believe to continually over the years deteriorating quality of the national education system. The sudden change of the education system dominated by Afrikaans brought Initially considerable problems which persist to this day. To date, this " hasty " conversion of the entire education apparatus is contested on the English language by critics.
A study by Florida State University came in 1993, three years after independence and the associated " language change " to the conclusion that about 60 % of the Namibian teachers only had a very bad English. Accordingly, the test results for the year 1993 were more or less shocking. Nevertheless, the government maintained its chosen line and sought to blame the teachers.
2009, ie 19 years after the establishment of English as the official language, Tötemeyer saw the still generally poor knowledge of English as the main reason for the large number of poor in the country diplomas. According Tötemeyer could not read in 2009 about two-thirds of the Namibian sixth graders.
Already in 2008 the given conditions at the schools in the country denounced the largest daily newspaper in Namibia, The Namibian, for the first time in public at, most notably the lack of English skills of many teachers and the general lack of interest by parents to the school performance of their children was highlighted. 2011, which is 21 years after the adoption of English as the official language, this paper carried out a re-examination of the situation and came to the conclusion that further possessed 98 % of teachers do not have sufficient knowledge of English to teach the language sustainably. This finding was based on an English test, which had to be completed this year on the orders of the Ministry of Education, all teachers in the country. According to the test result, 70 % of teachers do not even ruled beyond basic knowledge of the English language. From the report of the newspaper is also apparent that many teachers even had problems to enter personal information on the first page of the held in English form, because they did not understand the low- Written. Generally cut younger teachers in the exam but better than older people, which makes the Ministry of Education hope for the future.
The Namlish intolerable or the Namlish course Turned emphasize its own dynamic and continuous development. In addition Namlish is regarded by supporters as a concomitant of the development of a national identity, " because it is after all Namibian and neither English nor American". Back in 2000, warned the then Education Minister of Namibia, Dr. Becky Ndjoze - Ojo, against neglecting the Namibian languages in the future in favor of English. On this issue pointed out in 2012 also Sindano.
2012 doubted Gerson Sindano in the Namibian newspaper New Era authenticity of the Namlish and pointed out that this is merely a justification for simply poor knowledge of English in Namibia. How Sindano points out, there is still virtually no explicit " namlishe " spelling and grammar, what would be the opposite Namlish define general " bad English " clear. Sindano represents, although he admits certain influences of the Namibian mother languages on the language, the view that Namlish primarily defined for grammatical errors and a limited vocabulary compared to the real English, which is why it can never be reduced to a clearly defined variant of the English language. According Sindano formulations can, such as " I am coming " instead of " I will be back " (Eng. "I 'll be right back " ) are not considered Namlish because it is merely grammatically incorrect English in such excesses.
In August 2013, the editor of the Namibian newspaper New Era announced to publish in future issues in indigenous languages , the Oshiwambo is to make a beginning, due to its position as the main indigenous language of the country. However, other indigenous languages should be considered gradually also. Because the charge with this step " access to information for all parts of society to promote " want, this can be regarded as an admission of now after 23 years still insufficient or unevenly distributed across the social classes of English in the country. In this context, raising the chairman of the New Era, Dr. Ben Mulongeni, also points out that it is important and not negligible for the Namibian society to maintain in addition to the English language and another, indigenous and comprehensive language for communication among themselves. This position can also be interpreted as a radical departure from the indoctrinated with regard to the promotion of the English language approach of the Namibian government in recent years.
Others
Also, the incumbent President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, on public occasions be Namlish can not hide.
There is a Namibian online magazine called Namlish.com.
After Namibia newcomers, whether native English speakers or not, the Namlish often used to more or less, so they are, in a sense, over time, even to a certain degree to Namlish speakers.
Published in 2011 the Namibian kwaito artist Tate Buti his album " Kastoma Seve " by which he refers to the namlishe pronunciation of English words. With " Kastoma Seve " the English " Customer Service " (Eng. customer service) is meant.