About the Afrikaans language.
Afrikaans is one of South Africa's 12 official languages and one of the most widely spoken. According to Statistics South Africa, about 6.2 million South Africans speak it as their first language, around 13.5% of the population, and more than 16 million speak it in total.
It is also an official language of Namibia, where it is the most widely used common language, with speaker communities in Botswana, Zimbabwe and the South African diaspora. In South Africa it is the main language of the Western and Northern Cape, with strong communities in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng.
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that grew from 17th-century Dutch dialects brought to the Cape, shaped over two centuries by Malay, Portuguese, Khoisan, Bantu languages and German. It was once called Cape Dutch before being recognised as a language in its own right.
About 90 to 95% of Afrikaans vocabulary comes from Dutch, and the two languages remain largely mutually intelligible. Afrikaans still has its own grammar, spelling, simpler verb forms and idioms, so the two are translated as separate languages.
Afrikaans speakers span many cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds, so register, tone and context matter in every project. The language has a strong presence in media, education, law and technical writing, and a growing online presence.
Our Afrikaans translation services.
A comprehensive range of Afrikaans language services for businesses, legal professionals, government bodies, and individuals.
-
Afrikaans document translation
Accurate translation of written materials including contracts, reports, correspondence, and marketing content.
-
Afrikaans website and software localisation
Adapting websites, applications, and digital platforms for Afrikaans-speaking audiences, including text, interface elements, and supporting content.
-
Afrikaans interpreting
Professional oral interpreting in Afrikaans, available in consecutive and simultaneous formats for meetings, hearings, conferences, and events.
-
Afrikaans voice-over
Multilingual voice recording for video and audio productions requiring Afrikaans language delivery.
-
Afrikaans subtitling
Accurate, timed Afrikaans subtitles for films, corporate videos, e-learning content, and broadcast media.
-
Afrikaans desktop publishing
Formatting and layout services for print and digital materials translated into Afrikaans, ensuring a professional finished product.
Certified, legal and business Afrikaans translation.
Certified Afrikaans translation
Premium Lingua provides certified Afrikaans translation services for documents requiring official recognition. Our certified translations are produced by experienced, qualified native-speaking linguists and meet the accuracy, cultural, and technical standards required for legal, academic, immigration, and official purposes.
Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, degree certificates and police clearance certificates. Requirements differ between courts, embassies, universities and immigration authorities, so tell us where the Afrikaans translation will be submitted and send any written instructions you have. If an authority asks for a sworn translation, ask us to confirm availability for the language pair.
Afrikaans legal translation
Legal translation into and from Afrikaans requires specialist knowledge of legal terminology, document conventions, and the specific requirements of the relevant legal system. Each project is assigned to a linguist with the right language pair and subject expertise, and managed by a named project manager.
- Contracts, agreements, and commercial negotiations
- Court pleadings, motions, and legal filings
- Patent applications and intellectual property documents
- Legal correspondence including letters and emails
- Expert witness reports and legal opinions
- Regulatory filings and licence applications
Afrikaans government translation
Premium Lingua provides Afrikaans translation services for government agencies, public sector bodies, and organisations working in regulated or government-related environments. Our linguists have experience handling the specific terminology, formatting requirements, and confidentiality standards that government translation demands.
Client materials are handled under confidentiality requirements, with access restricted to the people who need them to deliver the service, and our privacy framework is designed around the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Afrikaans business document translation
For businesses operating in or engaging with Afrikaans-speaking markets, clear and accurate communication is essential. Share previous translations, glossaries or approved terminology before we start, so your Afrikaans content stays consistent across projects. Our business translation services cover:
- Marketing materials including brochures, adverts, and promotional content
- Financial reports, balance sheets, and income statements
- Company policies, procedures, and internal guidelines
- Business contracts and commercial agreements
- Business correspondence including emails and letters
- Product catalogues, technical specifications, and datasheets
- Human resources documents including job descriptions and employee handbooks
Request your Afrikaans project quote.
A project manager replies within two business hours, Monday to Friday.
Request received.
A project manager will reply by email or phone, Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 SAST.