Introduction

Over the years, scholars have encouraged both the public and academics to develop what may be called “decolonial ears” — ears capable of challenging the projected suiwer (pure or proper) image of Afrikaans and recognising the older rhythms and cadences inherited from the languages of enslaved people and survivors. These perspectives seek to uncover the layered history of Afrikaans and acknowledge the communities whose voices shaped the language long before it became standardised.

The Kaaps Woriboek

As is often the case in African music and poetry, every call invites a response. In this instance, that response is the Kaaps Woriboek, the comprehensive dictionary of Kaaps published in 2026 by Shofar Books. The dictionary was compiled by Professor Quentin Williams, Director of the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The Kaaps Woriboek is also the culmination of a research project that began as a collaborative effort between the Heal the Hood Project and UWC’s Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research. Funded by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Centre for Language, Race, and Ethnicity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the project aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding Kaaps and its speakers. The initiative also sought to highlight the rich history of the language while creating a formal resource accessible to readers, researchers, educators, and language enthusiasts from different backgrounds and levels of understanding.

Preserving Language and Identity

The publisher describes the book as “a historic reference resource that describes the spelling system and development of Kaaps words”. For the first time, a language once widely used as a lingua franca among enslaved communities has been formally codified and preserved in print. The Kaaps Woriboek arrives at a significant moment when Kaaps continues to thrive in literature, theatre, poetry, and music. Writers such as Adam Small, Nathan Trantraal, and Ronelda S. Kamfer have consistently used Kaaps as both a creative medium and a cultural statement. Their work has contributed to preserving the language while challenging ideas about linguistic hierarchy and legitimacy in South Africa.

Conclusion

The publication of the Kaaps Woriboek represents more than the release of a dictionary. It symbolises recognition, preservation, and cultural affirmation for a language deeply rooted in South African history. As Kaaps continues to evolve through literature, scholarship, and everyday conversation, the dictionary stands as an important contribution to the ongoing celebration of linguistic diversity. It may also inspire a new generation of academics, artists, and writers to continue documenting and shaping the future of the language, ensuring that its rhythms of resilience continue to echo for years to come.

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