Strukturelle Veränderungen In Der Deutschen Sprache In Namibia: Eine Untersuchung Anhand Von Texten Aus Der Allgemeinen Zeitung

ABSTRACT

This study titled Structural changes observed in the German language as used in Namibia: A study on the basis of texts from the Allgemeinen Zeitung analyses and examines the structural changes in German Language as it is used in Namibia. The German language found its way to Namibia during the German colonial times (1884 – 1915). After independence in 1990, English became the sole official language of Namibia. Nowadays, Namibia is a multilingual country, in which German, Afrikaans and various other languages constitute the national languages. Several studies on the German language as used in Namibia have already been conducted, but these only examined the change in the lexis. Therefore, this study concerns itself with the structural changes of the German language in Namibia with regard to semantics, which is the study of meaning and/or syntax, namely the arrangement of words and phrases used. Changes in the German language are taking place in all German-speaking countries, due to globalisation, migration and multilingualism. Heike Wiese concerns herself with the most recent change in the German language in Germany: Kiezdeutsch. This research complements the studies conducted in German speaking countries in Europe. The findings of the study provide evidence that structural change takes place as a result of the influence of English and/or Afrikaans on the German language in Namibia on the grounds of multilingualism. Furthermore, the study aims at creating language awareness within the German-speaking society regarding their mother tongue.