From Afrikaans to AI: The Evolution of Language in Less Than 100 Years

May 8
3 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Afrikaans to AI - The Rapid Evolution of Communication

Introduction

In 1925, Afrikaans was officially recognized as a distinct language. This event marked the end of its evolution from a Dutch creole to a standardized form. Just under a century later, human communication has undergone another significant shift: the rise of computer languages. How did we go from spoken words to binary code in less than 100 years? What does this mean for the future of Afrikaans and other natural languages?

Part 1: The Evolution of Afrikaans (1925–Present)

Afrikaans’ journey from oral dialect to official language has been slow but deliberate. Key developments were crucial to its evolution:

Standardization: Grammar rules, dictionaries, and literature solidified Afrikaans.
Media & Education: Newspapers, radio, and schools spread Afrikaans nationwide.

By the late 20th century, Afrikaans had matured as a language. However, the digital age would soon challenge its dominance.

The Importance of Language Preservation

As technology advanced, the importance of preserving Afrikaans became clear. Language is not just a mode of communication; it carries cultural significance as well.

Cultural Identity: Afrikaans reflects the identity of its speakers. Preserving it is crucial for maintaining cultural heritage.
Challenges of Modernization: Digital content tends to gravitate towards dominant languages, putting Afrikaans at risk.

Part 2: The Rise of Computer Languages (1950s–Today)

While Afrikaans was cementing its place, a new form of communication emerged: programming languages. These languages were built for machines, unlike human languages which serve people.

Key Milestones:

1957 – Fortran

The first high-level programming language, designed for scientific computing.

Demonstrated that machines could understand human-like syntax.

1972 – C

Became the foundation for modern coding languages like Python and Java.

1995 – JavaScript

Enabled interactive websites, reshaping global communication.

2020s – AI-Powered Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Tools like ChatGPT now understand Afrikaans, bridging human and machine language.

Part 3: Afrikaans in the Digital Age

Today, Afrikaans coexists with computer languages in surprising ways.

Machine Translation: Google Translate has supported Afrikaans since 2010.
Voice Assistants: Alexa and Siri can understand Afrikaans, albeit imperfectly.
AI Content Creation: Tools like ChatGPT generate Afrikaans text. This raises questions about authenticity.

Challenges

Digital Decline: There are fewer Afrikaans websites and apps compared to English.
AI Bias: Most NLP models prioritize major languages, leaving Afrikaans underrepresented.

The Role of AI in Language Evolution

AI is incredibly influential in shaping language. As it becomes more integrated into our daily lives, how we use Afrikaans is also likely to change.

Personalization: AI tools can adapt to user preferences, potentially making Afrikaans more relevant in tech spaces.
Learning Tools: AI can assist with language learning, making Afrikaans accessible to a wider audience.

Part 4: The Future – Will Code Replace Afrikaans?

While computer languages dominate tech, human languages like Afrikaans are not likely to disappear. Instead, they will adapt:

Hybrid Communication: People will combine Afrikaans with code. For example, they might text in "Afrikaans + emojis + slang."
AI Preservation: Machine learning could document and revitalize Afrikaans.
New Dialects: Internet slang—like "lekker" becoming a global meme—may transform Afrikaans further.

Conclusion: A Century of Transformation

In under 100 years, Afrikaans has gone from official recognition to digital integration, paralleling humanity’s leap from spoken words to AI chatbots. Although computer languages may dominate the future, Afrikaans demonstrates that human communication will always find a way to survive—and evolve.