D: Duh

I am all in favour of the concept that languages should evolve and change, to better adapt to the needs of the users. New words are added from time to time and some expressions are no longer relevant. I mean, hardly anybody understands the mechanics of ox wagons these days, which means that some of the expressions used by the Voortrekkers (Pioneers if you are not from Africa) have fallen by the wayside (or the wagon trail).

Many changes and new words or expressions originate from the need to keep up with digital development. I quite like the way that the youth adapt their language in cyber space: on Facebook verbs are being turned into nouns (give my post a like), typing text messages becomes texting – or sexting if you want to include more daring, under the belt conversations. I can live with that.

BUT

Unless you WANT to pees me orf, do not express disdain for something stupid or obvious (in your opinion) that I may have said, by ‘duh-ing’ me. Duh is obviously not a word; it is a very obvious indication that you want to die a violent death.

Dan is daar die nuwe Afrikaanse internettaal: Hoe lykit da by die dam? Dki virie chat, hoor? Geniet jou dagi, hoor? En sê groet vir jou mami en papi. Bi-bi.

O ja, en wat van mense wat hulle tale so opmieks dat ‘n bak trifle later proe soos pampoenkoekies. Trifle ja, want dis ‘n woord waarmee ek grootgeword het en google ken ook nie die Afrikaans daarvoor nie. Ek het gegoogle daarvoor. Darem (ja, daar is mense wat ‘n sin begin met darem) – darem kan jy bly wees ek besoek nie shows net om te hoor hoe swak die entertainers hulle songs sing en om te skinder oor hoe bad die actors se acting is nie.

Nou dink jy seker ek is oud en oudedoos, nè? Well, duh!