Afrikaans

By Ane du Preez, May 2020

Last year during lockdown there was one evening I couldn’t sleep and I felt inspired so I wrote this even though I use English on a daily basis and I live abroad my parents taught me never forget your roots and I am so proud of having Afrikaans as my first language.

Afrikaans is my moedertaal.

Dis die taal wat my hart en siel verstaan.

Dis die roete na my hart

En kan nie beskryf ‘n kwart van wat ek voel.

Afrikaans is my mother tongue.

It’s the language that my heart and soul understands.

It’s the route to my heart

And I cannot describe a quarter of what I feel.

Dit vloei in my are en in my siel

Dis meer as net ‘n taal

Dis wie ek is

It flows in my veins and in my soul.

It’s more than just a language

That’s who I am.

Afrikaans is ‘n geskenk van my voorgeslagte

Dis die rede van my bestaan

My hart sal altyd vir Afrikaans klop

Afrikaans is die anker van my wese

Afrikaans is a gift from my ancestors

That’s the reason for my existence.

My heart will always beat for Afrikaans

Afrikaans is the anchor of my being.

My hart en siel vloei oor van dankbaarheid

Aan my ouers wat my die taal van liefde

Geleer het en ek sal dit vir niks verruil nie

My heart and soul overflow with gratitude

To my parents who taught me the language of love

I’ve learned and I will not trade it for anything.

In die stilte in die oggend ure

Luister ek na die plaasgeluide.

Die gevoel is prysloos en tydloos.

In the silence in the morning hours

I listen to the sounds on the farm

The feeling is priceless and timeless

Ek onthou toe ons nog kinders was en koekies in die modder gebak het.

Ons het in die bome geklim en kaalvoet in die stof gestap.

Ek onthou die gevoel as die windpomp draai en die wind my hare deurmekaar waai.

I remember when we were kids and bakin’ cookies in the mud.

We climbed into the trees and walked

Bare feet in the dust.

I remember the feeling when the windmill turned and the wind blew my hair.

Ek onthou die stories rondom die kaggelvuur

Ek onthou die boeretroos en die melktert.

Ek onthou die geluide van jakkalse laat aande en die note van die orrel op ‘n Sondag middage.

Die kersie op die koek was die gelag rondom die etens tafel,

Onder die sterre en eintlik oralste.

I remember the stories around the fireplace

I remember coffee and the milk tart.

I remember the sounds of jackals late at night and the notes of the organ on a Sunday afternoon.

The cherry on the cake was the laughter around the dinner table

Under the starts and actually everywhere.

Afrikaans jy is myne.

Jy is soos ‘n skaduwee wat ‘n mens kontant herrinner dat jy nie alleen is nie.

Jy kan nie weghardloop van jou wese nie.

Ek bly in ‘n vreemde land maar lei my to weer aan jou hand.

Afrikaans you are mine.

You are like a shadow that reminds you that you are not alone.

You cannot run away from your being.

I live in a foreign country but lead me to your hand again.

Afikaans jy is my taal, my liefde.

Jy is myne.

Jy is altyd in my gedagtes, my drome en in my woorde.

Afrikaans you are my language, my love.

You are mine.

You are always in my thoughts, my dreams and in my words.

Tyd en mekaar – dis al wat ons het.

Onthou jy is nooit alleen nie.

Afrikaans – jy is myne.

Time and each other – that is all we have.

Remember you are never alone.

Afrikaans – you are mine.

My hart sal altyd vir jou klop en ek volg jou soos ‘n skaduwee.

Afrikaans – jy is my taal, my liefde.  Jy is myne.

My heart will always beat for you and I will follow you like a shadown.

Afrikaans – you are my language, my love.

You are mine.

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Hi there! My name is Ané du Preez and I am from South-Africa. I am a teacher, writer and a solo traveler. I love learning about other cultures and traditions. I love good coffee, having interesting conversations and I love traveling. This blog is to share my wonderful adventures with all of you. I’ve been discovering the gems of mother nature and its amazing people. Join me as we venture into the beauty and inspiration that is all around us. I am an advocate for all to live their life to the fullest. To travel is to live!

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