The Idler, Monday, October 14, 2019

Intricacies of the Language Tree     IS IT NOT astonishing that English should have become the main language of instruction at Stellenbosch University, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court last week? However, a lass who calls herself Felicity informs me in a Biznews brief I get on my email that this Anglo-Saxon surge is by no means confined to Stellenbosch. In the Netherlands itself, she says, half the courses taught in universities are in English. Many Dutch academics consider English not to be a foreign language at all but a second language to Dutch. I guess that's what happens when it's the chosen language of not just Hollywood but the internet as well. Second language to Dutch? That's odd but actually historically true, going way back. Dutch (by extension Afrikaans) and English are two of the closest-related languages on the Indo-Germanic Language Tree. Old Dutch and Old English were virtually identical. By the time it got to Middle Dutch and Middle English (where Chaucer was having fun with sporty incidents at dark windowsills), English had been heavily influenced by the Scandinavian languages (that's the Anglo bit) and even more heavily by Norman-French. "Tehee quod she and clapt the window to". You wouldn't recognise it as Dutch. (Though think of "klap" and "toe") Indo-Germanic Language Tree? Oh yes, the connection goes back to the ancient Sanskrit writings. Hindi is a distant cousin to both Afrikaans and English. We're all of us related. As one who immersed himself many years ago at varsily in both Afrikaans-Nederlands and English (not to mention Castle Lager), my belief is that Afrikaans literature has an earthy, honest vigour that will ensure its survival at academic level. Meanwhile, English is not safe. It's already falling into the maw of cellphone gibberish. "CU2nite," she says confirming a dinner date. A-a-a-a-argh!,     Right on cue   CLIMATE Change activists are swarming about London and other parts of the UK, climbing onto aeroplanes as they taxi to take off, camping in the streets making nuisances of themselves. They demand that governments listen before it's too late. Then, as if on cue, Typhoon Hagibis swoops across Japan, disrupting the Rugby World Cup. High winds, extreme weather, exactly what the scientists have been warning about. Could Extinction Rebellion have dreamed of anything more effective to promote their cause? Global warming interfering with rugby – that's really serious. Governments of the world need to act now     Good cause   HOLD your noses, folks. My old muso mate Smelly Fellows is to appear on stage in a sweaty celebration of the music of Bob Dylan. It's in aid of Project Bene, which is to assist people who need prosthetic limbs, for which medical aid provides only limited cover. The Times They Are A-Changing gig will be at Musketeers, 7 Barham Road, Westville, on Saturday, November 2. Music will be from The Ozzy Trio, singer/guitarist Oscar Swanlund accompanied by the Salty Dog engine room, Grant Halliday on drums and Smelly on bass - plus providing sarcastic commentary. The show is at 5pm and will have two sessions of an hour each, with a 30-minute intermission. The Musketeers dining room and bar will be open. This one looks like being a hootnanny. Tickets: R100 (including clothespeg against unwelcome aromas). Reservations: Maureen 073-0572414.     Tailpiece "MY ex-husband wants to marry me again." "That's flattering." "Not really. I think he's after the money I married him for."    Last word   There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality. - Pablo Picasso