In Afrikaans, London is still referred to as London. Proper nouns, such as city names, generally remain unchanged across languages. So, the name of the city doesn’t have a unique translation in Afrikaans; it is simply called “London” in both English and Afrikaans.
Here’s a detailed explanation of why London remains the same in Afrikaans (and other languages), and some additional context regarding proper nouns and translations:
1. Proper Nouns in Translation:
- What Are Proper Nouns? Proper nouns are specific names used to identify particular people, places, or things, such as names of cities, countries, brands, and landmarks. Examples include London, Paris, New York, Albert Einstein, and so on.
- Why Do Proper Nouns Remain the Same? Generally, proper nouns do not get translated when moving from one language to another. This is because they are unique identifiers. For example, London is a specific city, and changing its name would create confusion. Therefore, London stays the same in languages like Afrikaans, Dutch, Spanish, French, and others.
2. Phonetic Adaptation (Sometimes):
- While proper nouns usually stay the same, sometimes a name may be slightly adapted to fit the phonetic or orthographic system of a different language. For instance, Rome in English is Roma in Italian, and New York might be written similarly in many languages, but in some, it could have slight phonetic changes.
- In Afrikaans, however, London does not undergo any changes, since it is already relatively simple in its pronunciation, and no major adaptation is needed to fit the Afrikaans phonetic system.
3. Global Influence and Recognition:
- English, as a globally dominant language, has influenced many other languages, including Afrikaans. Many cities, especially well-known ones like London, New York, Tokyo, etc., keep their original names when referred to in other languages because of their global recognition.
- London is not just the capital of the United Kingdom, but also a key cultural, political, and economic hub recognized worldwide. This global recognition leads to its name being used universally, without translation or modification.
4. Afrikaans and Other Translations:
- Some languages do have different names for cities or countries. For example:
- Germany is Duitsland in Afrikaans (and many other languages, such as Dutch).
- Spain is Spanje in Afrikaans.
- Paris remains Paris in both English and Afrikaans.
However, in the case of London, there is no alternative name in Afrikaans—it is simply London.
5. Language Evolution and Historical Context:
- Afrikaans, a language that evolved from Dutch and was influenced by other languages, such as Portuguese, Malay, and local African languages, tends to borrow many English words directly, especially for modern concepts and global locations.
- The use of London in Afrikaans reflects this historical interaction between English and Afrikaans, especially considering that Afrikaans speakers have had significant exposure to English-language media, culture, and commerce, where the name “London” has remained constant.
Conclusion:
In summary, London remains London in Afrikaans because it is a proper noun—a specific place name that does not require translation or adaptation. While many other place names in Afrikaans may change slightly (such as Duitsland for Germany or Spanje for Spain), highly recognized global cities like London tend to retain their original names across languages to preserve clarity and consistency.