Known simply as the Taal monument or Afrikaans language monument, the most famous Afrikaans icon, die Afrikaanse Taalmonument, sits on Paarl rock, erected in 1975 to commemorate the semi centenary of Afrikaans as an official language, separate from Dutch, overlooking the farmlands of Stellenbosch and Paarl.
Designed by architect Jan van Wijk, the monument, shaped in a number of tall obelisk style columns, takes its inspiration from the surrounding environment of granite rock and the words of NP van Wyk Louw, who wrote "Afrikaans stands with one leg in Africa and with the other in the west" and CJ Langenhoven who said "Afrikaans is a rapidly ascending curve".
The views from up on Paarl Rock are worth a visit alone. Table Mountain stands in the distance, whilst the Stellenbosch Mountains lie to the south and the Hottentots Holland Mountains to the east.
The monument is not without some controversy. The British magazine, Wallpaper, ran a story that described Afrikaans as the ugliest language in the world in September 2005. As a direct response, billionaire Johann Rupert withdrew advertising for brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill.
Afrikaans is one of the youngest languages in the world. Its roots spread over three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe - and its mother tongue speakers range across different races, creeds and cultures - it is the first language of approximately 60% of South Africa’s Whites and over 80% of the Coloured population.
Afrikaans originated from the 17th century Dutch language, and became known as ‘Cape Dutch’, a pejorative term that was remedied when the language was recognised as a distinct language in 1925. (Afrikaans Language).
I'm from Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa. Tulbagh is a small farming community.
Get Pushed Challenge: I have been doing this challenge on and off...
Good one for Bill's elements challenge. I totally love this monument, the flowing shapes, all the different elements, the position, everything ... and from it one can see the farm where I grew up - across the valley :)
After seeing this shot, I feel like it would be great if they could do one of those pictures where you direct the mouse around the picture and it gives you a 360 degree view, up, down and sideways! Another beautiful capture!
do you speak it? i should probably google it and have a listen. i'm always interested in other people's languages, although what i always learn are the bad words. :-P i agree with ann, the 360 degree view would be awesome!
@summerfield I do speak Afrikaans. The area where we live is very Afrikaans and you hear it spoken much more than you hear English. Some people say that it's a difficult language to learn but having heard it spoken for most of my life and having had it as a subject throughout school it's a given that one should speak and understand it.
@kwiksilver the views from the monument are just amazing. I didn't know that you grew up on a farm in that area. The farm we lived on for seven years is also visible. Maybe we can meet up there at some point.
@olivetreeann thanks for these links Ann. Both are interesting videos. Although neither really shows the monument on it's own, they do show the amazing views you get. The day we visited it was really quite cold and overcast so the photos of the views weren't really terribly exciting. I need to go back on a clear day.
@salza You're welcome Sally- I got to thinking that maybe something was already out there- but not what I was thinking. I was expecting more of the monument and like you said, you don't really get that in either video. I wonder if they must clear photographing it with the artist? Anyway- it did give a glimpse of how big it really is when you see it from the sky.
August 31st, 2015
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Interesting narrative too :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU-6I0wC3_g
Found one more with a little tour as well as all around pictures.
@salza @summerfield