Namlish
Namlish is a form of English spoken in Namibia. The term was first recorded in 1991.
English is the country's official language since independence in 1990. Because it is the second or third language for the majority of the Namibians, local usage can vary significantly from usage elsewhere in the English-speaking world. Namibian English, or Namlish, shares many similarities with South African English, having been influenced both by Afrikaans and indigenous African languages.
Examples of Namlish
Vocabulary
| Namlish | English | Notes |
| Baas | Afrikaans: Boss | submissive appellation towards a male employer. |
| Babelas | Afrikaans: hangover | |
| Bakkie | Pick-up truck | |
| Biltong | Dried meat; jerky | |
| Braai | Afrikaans: A barbecue or social grilling event | |
| Cucca Shop | A bar | The name was derived from a beer once sold in Angola |
| Eish | Oh my goodness | expression of surprise, shock, disdain, etc. |
| Mêmê | Mother | term of respect towards older women |
| Oom | Afrikaans: uncle | term of respect towards older men |
| Robot | Traffic lights | |
| Shebeen | Bar or club | |
| Tekkies | Sneakers |
Expressions
Some observations
- Many Namibians repeat single-word responses twice, e.g. "Hi hi", "Fine fine" and "Sharp sharp" are all common responses in casual conversation.
- Upon asking How are you? Namlish speakers will greet you with Yes! or Yebo! ''Yebo comes from Zulu, which is an emphatic "yes" said throughout southern Africa.
- Directions can be very vague: That side is usually the answer.
- This one and that one'' are frequently used to talk about children and elderly people.
- 'I'm coming now now', 'I'm coming just now', 'I'm coming right now': All rather vague variations regarding time. Each repetition of the word "now" represents a closer approximation of the typical English "now". Three repetitions of the word is generally the most you will hear. It usually means a minute or less before the activity in question begins.
- "I'm coming" can mean numerous things. Usually, it means "I'm leaving and coming back within 5 minutes or not at all". Whereas "I'm coming now now" means "I'm coming right back now for sure".
- The word "somehow" is used to describe an event that was all-right, average, or unexceptional. When asked about a day, weekend, holiday, etc., Namibians often respond by saying it was "somehow".
- Whenever asking "How are you?", nearly always the answer is "fine".
- When talking about something small, Namibians use "ka...".
- Words like "kutja" or Kama/kamastag are used instead of "apparently".
- First names and surnames become confused, e.g. Peter Smith can be referred to as Mr. Peter, not Mr. Smith.
Pronunciation