Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1899 — THE BOER LANGUAGE. [ARTICLE]

THE BOER LANGUAGE.

Its Pronunciation Is Kasy When Dutch Tonsne Is Understood. The language of the Boers ’of South Africa is grammatically the language of the people of Holland. They speak Dutch as their forefathers'in Holland spoke it and speak it now. They are called Boers because that is a Dutch word which describes them. It means a farmer, and agriculture is the main pursuit of the peace-loving compatriots of Oom Paul. A knowledge of Dutch would supply an explanation of the odd-looking words that are used now and then in the news reports from the sturdy little republic. It would also enable one to pronounce these words as they should be enunciated. Dutch dlpthongs are not given the same sounds as their equivalents in English. The double “o” for instance in Dutch kas the same sound as “o” in Rome, while the dipthong “oe” is pronounced by the Dutch as we pronounce “oo” In boot. The English pronunciation of these two dlpthongs la the reverse of that given them by those who speak Dutch. And “ou” has the sound of “ow" In owl. The sound of “ui” is nearly like that of the English “oy” In boy. The Dutch double “aa” to the same as the English “a” in war. As there is ne “y” in Dutch its place Is taken by “IJ,” which Is sounded as “y” in defy.

If one, therefore, would pronounce Oom Paul properly he would say It as If It were spelled “Ome Powl.” The family name of Gen. Joubert would for the same reason be prououuced as If It were spoiled “Yowbert.” The word Boer Is pronounced by the Afrikander as If it were of two syllables; tbe first long and the second short, tttus: “Booer.” The plural is not “Boers.” It is “Boeren,” and It to pronounced “800-

er-eh,” because the final “n” is slurred. Here are some of the Dutch words that are oftenest in print in connection with the news of the Transvaal and their pronunciation and meaning: Bloemfontein (bloom-fon-tlne) Flower foantaln. Boer (boo-er) Fanner Batten lander (boy-ten-lont-er) Foreigner Burgher (buhr-ker) Citizen Bnrgerregt (buhr-ker-rekt) Citizenship Burgerwacbt (buhr-ker-vokt) Citizen soldiery. Jonkherr (yunk-hare). .Member of the Volksraad; gentleman. Oom (one) Uncle Raad (rahd) Senate RsndsUeer (rahds-bare) Senator Raadhulz (rahd-hoyz) Senate honae Rand trahnt) ..Margin; edge Btaat (staht) State Btaatknnde (stalit-kuhn de) Polities Staatsraad (stahts-rahd) ...Connell of State Stad (ztot) . City Stemmer (atemmer) Voter; elector Transvaal (trons-fahl) Circular valley Trek (treck) Draught; Journey Trekken (treck-en) to draw; to travel Trekpaard (treckpahrd) Draft horse Ult (oyt) ...oat; ont of Ultlander (oyt-lont-er) Foreigner Vaal (fahl) Valley Vaderlandallefde (fah-ter-lonts-leef-te).Love of one’s country; patriotism. Veld (felt) Field; open lands Veldheer (felt-hare) . .General; commandant Veld waeh ter (felt-vock-ter) .... Rural guard Volksraad (fulka-rahd) .....Lower House of Congress. Voorregt (fore-rekt) ....Franchise; privilege Vreemaeling (frsme-ds-Ung) stranger Wltwatersrand (vlt-vot-ters-ront) ...Margin of the white water. Pretoria, the capital of the South African republic, is named In honor of its first President, Pretorins, who led the Dutch in the great trek, or journey, out of Gape Colony sixty years ago and into the Transvaal to escape the dominion of England. Johannesburg is easily translated Into English, as Johnstown. The term “Afrikander” is used to designate the Dutch from the other white people of South Africa.