What accent is this? (Calling all South Africans!) (country, speak, travel)

[UmmJ]

Hi everyone,

I'm posting this on behalf of my husband. He grew up in South Africa (Cape Town) with his mom (who is British). His accent is quite different from the other members of his family and he's always wondered what part of South Africa it sounds like it's from, and what ethnic group it may sound like it's a part of? Or does it sound like there's a bit of British mixed in there?

Here's a short recording of his voice.

Any South Africans care to share? =)

Thanks!

[easthome]

Sounds a lot like the South African guys I work with to me (to my un-trained ears anyway), I cant hear any particular British accents in there.

[Dd714]

That sounds like Afrikaner related, more associated with Dutch and German. You do know the history of South Africa right? It wasn't a British colony until very late in the game.

[UmmJ]

Originally Posted by Dd714

That sounds like Afrikaner related, more associated with Dutch and German. You do know the history of South Africa right? It wasn't a British colony until very late in the game.

Thanks for your reply. Yes I am aware of the history of course, but my husband isn't Afrikaner. If he was, my post would be pointless wouldn't it? He was born in the UK and grew up in South Africa; his mom is English and his dad is South African of English decent; plus he never grew up around Afrikaners. So I'm pretty surprised by your answer! Are you South African?

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by UmmJ

Thanks for your reply. Yes I am aware of the history of course, but my husband isn't Afrikaner. If he was, my post would be pointless wouldn't it? He was born in the UK and grew up in South Africa; his mom is English and his dad is South African of English decent; plus he never grew up around Afrikaners. So I'm pretty surprised by your answer! Are you South African?

I must have misread your original post and though it was another relative or coworker.
I am not South African but traveled there several times, and have coworkers I chat from there.

Maybe he just picked up it up from hanging around other friends in South Africa that have that background (although you say no...so not sure). I think Cape Town is more traditional british. I have some experience in Joburg and the eastern part of the country and it seems to be typical of the accent I have heard there (particulary in the eastern rural areas).

[9162]

The accent does sound very much like an Indian accent, as in from India.

[biafra4life]

I'm not South African, but grew up with some when I lived in Australia.
South Africans have a very distinctive accent to me. I can pick it up almost instantly when I hear one speak. Your husband's accent is not what I would consider a typical "Saffer" accent at all. He almost sounds like someone for whom English is not his first language? Could be wrong though.