Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

An Introduction to Flaaitaal (or Tsotsitaal)

2002; Cambridge University Press; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/cbo9780511486692.021

K. D. P. Makhudu,

Linguistic Variation and Morphology

Flaaitaal, or Tsotsitaal, is a South African township argot which is used mainly, but not exclusively, by black males in various urban centres. It is a mixed code in so far as it seems to have been initially reliant on Afrikaans for structure and a variety of languages for its lexis. To the uninitiated ear, Flaaitaal might sound like a variety of Afrikaans; but such a conclusion would overlook its robust Bantu language texture. Although ‘Tsotsitaal’ is a well-known term, in this chapter I will use the term ‘Flaaitaal’, which is a more commonly used name.