English or Afrikaans in South Africa?

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Res

AFRIKAANS! No doubt about it! Anybody that says anything different has never heard nor understood the language (which is a pity for them but a joy for me). Afrikaans is exceptionally creative, and the swear words so ingenious that even the people that are being sworn at sometimes find it hard not to grin (or be tremendously insulted)

Afrikaans by far is more descriptive!

Being sworn at in English normally boils down to a pathetic 'F U' (no spectators laugh)
English swearing always sounds rotten, ugly and crude.

In Afrikaans! Your head is still spinning hours later (all spectators laugh).
Afrikaans swearing tends to leave one giggling unless one was in the firing line.

In terms of swear words; one can always find an English equivalent in Afrikaans; but it is more difficult (near to impossible) to find an Afrikaans equivalent in English.

Say pumpkin in English. NOW say it in Afrikaans! A totally different feeling hmm?

romeoitaly

Without a doubt Afrikaans - have you ever tried to "outvloek" a Bergie from Cape Town!

But seriously, it's way more poetic, Shakespeare would have done wonders with Hamlet if he had such a source of expletives.

Second would probably be the Italians (you have to admire a nation that can insult your dead family...)

Bull 8

Swearing in Afrikaans definitely comes across as more agressive and meaningful.
Vocabulary wise I would estimate them to be equal.
For mild cursing Afrikaans is certainly the better, with words like poephol and bliksem.
Actually Afrikaans is better for swearing all round, I changed my mind while some words were popping into my head.

cakes

Afrikaans is a wonderful vloektaal. There are words that are so descriptive and can be used so insultingly, there is nothing compativie in English. And the Kaapse taal (skollietaal) is even better! The English words are better known all over the world.

Reb Da Rebel

Its gotta be Afrikaans.... but it follows all the black languages. If you could hear and understand any black languages Lise, I swear you'd cringe everytime you heard a black person swear in their home language... :-)

-One Love-

Mix them together and you'll get some very nice (hehe) swearwords....I have a nasty line here but I won't say it...=)

Duisend-poot

Afrikaans has the best, descriptive swearwords. Does not sound halve as crude as English swearwords :)

Tebidy

In my opinion the English swear words sound more vulgar, maybe its because i am English, but i think the Afrikaans swear words are more specific and descriptive because there are a lot more Afrikaans swear words available to use than in English.

Wonderstar

Lol Lise ek sal die lewendige hell uit jou vloek.
So I say Afrikaans.xxxx
HE HE HE,jou Blikslaer.xxxx

Jersey G

ENGLISH IS MORE CRUED

Kris K

Lise, I think Afrikaans, it is very funny to hear a cape coloured swearing in Afrikaans..It so descriptive, and I would say funny. English swear words are overused, and boring....

twatusay

Afrikaans has its roots in Dutch, Flemish and German. Realize that nature has been very hard on the Dutch, therefore many Afrikaans cussing is against nature and especially the weather. . . .Wanna hear some like donder, bliksim, natgat. . . .Oh fok my mother just walked in, Bye

T.I

Definately Afrikaans. The words require more force in pronouncing them and hence, enhance the intended meaning of the words. E.g. Lui-gat! There's no English equivalent.

Joppie

Both it depends how you use it

cheri

Afrikaans definitely - somehow the word with more or less the same meaning in English does not sound quite like swearing as it does when you use it in Afrikaans, like the word kak or in English s.h.i.t - not so bad in English at all but you tell a boer jy praat kak and boy oh boy you have kak

Skyli

I'd say English but I'd they sound better in Afrikaans.

I personally love the way swear words sound in Afrikaans!! :) hehe

Mzekezeke

Fokof

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