English in parliament no doubt. First language amongst supporters - probably fairly even between Enlish & Afrikaans (since the NNP was absorbed by them).

But the DA wouldn't mind if one of it's Afrikaner member used their language in Parliament?
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Brett C
Auckland, New Zealand

about things I should know but don't. The DA is a liberal party (whatever that is supposed to mean!) and I will be very surprised if they have any objection to any of the official languages being used I also checked Hansard (official record of proceedings of parliament) and it is quite clear that Afrikaans and other indigenous languages are being used in parliament and not only by representatives of the DA but even the ANC!! Have fun at http://www.parliament.gov.za/index.htm


[Edited by cjm on 28th February 2001 at 21:24]

I could tell you what Liberalism was (All three branches) but this is the wrong board, and I'd bore you stupid ;-) But I get your point. I'll certainly look at the records.
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Brett C
Auckland, New Zealand

Brett, why don't you do a post on the appropriate board about liberalism and its significance in SA politics today? The idea seems to have conquered the world or do I have a warped idea of what it is

I might just do that.. :-) But I see your point.. I *have* dragged this wwaaaaayyy off topic..

To make it more lingually minded again:

Does anyone know:

1) How closely related are Zulu and Xhosa?

2) How much Bushman speech was integrated into Xhosa?

3) What's up with all these 'Regional Dialects' I hear about, such as 'IsiSoweto'?
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Brett C
Auckland, New Zealand

I asked the DA about the support they have amongst the various language groups. See the e-mails below. Quite interesting!!

----- Original Message -----
From: Caroline Knott
To: Democratic Alliance - National Head Office - Cape Town
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: First language of DA supporters


We have no statistics because we don't ask members that question. The majority of supporters are Afrikaans speakers with the second biggest group being English speakers, but the breakdown with respect to the other official languages is unknown.
Caroline
----- Original Message -----
From: Democratic Alliance - National Head Office - Cape Town
To: Caroline Knott
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 9:19 AM
Subject: Fw: First language of DA supporters



----- Original Message -----
From: ...[cjm]
To: headoffice
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 7:44 PM
Subject: First language of DA supporters


Dear sirs/ladies,

Can you perhaps supply me with statistics regarding the representation of the different language groups in the DA? The issue was raised in an internet discussion forum.

Yours faithfully,

...[cjm]
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"You only live once, but that is quite enough"

Very interesting that... Why then do they seem to be so English? Anyway. I suppose it's not a good question for them to ask.
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Brett C
Auckland, New Zealand

Interesting topic.
Started by a kiwi no doubt, good for 2 things :

Bludging off the dole in OZ & winging when they loose the rugby

Afrikaans is one of the new world languages and there are no doubt that it's a longshot from dying out. Just have a look at all the new websites popping up daily in Afrikaans.

The Afrikaners are still the people making the best of South Africa with all the dramas going on with the majority of the surviving businesses run by Afrikaners.

Cheers
Francois
http://www.4afrikaans.com
Sydney, Australia

Hi

"The Afrikaners are still the people making the best of South Africa with all the dramas going on with the majority of the surviving businesses run by Afrikaners. "

I am interested by your unbiased viewpoint and especially your use of the word "surving". You imply that the economy has been contracting since 1994 when infact it has been growing, although admittedly at insufficient levels to make in roads on high levels of umemployment and poverty.