“The Power of One”: Examining the Differences Between the Enlish Language and the Afrikaans Language

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Recommended: Characteristics of colonialism literature

“The Power of One” by Bryce Courtney is a novel that revolves around the

differences between the English language and the Afrikaans language. Peekay is the

protagonist who is tormented because he is the only English-spoken student in his

boarding school. His inability to speak the Afrikaans language makes him a target among

the boys in the school. He is often abused and tormented as they don’t not see him

acceptable in their eyes. The boys call him names such as, “pisskop” and “Rooineck”,

and they make him do horrible deeds such as eating human feces(Bryce Courtney). This

abuse and torment is carried on throughout his childhood. By spending a significant time

in the boarding school results in Peekay learning how to write and speak Afrikaans as

well as Zulu and Shangaan. These three languages were the most common spoken in

South-Africa.

The Afrikaans language is the common language spoken in South-Africa. It is

estimated that over 6-million speak this language. It was originated by Dutch settlers

during the seventeenth century( The Afrikaners Language). It is considered one of the

indo-European languages. This language was a major part in the novel as it symbolized

power. Peekay could not speak the language so he was tormented and abused because he

was not like everyone else. Being raised in South-Africa and not knowing the most

commonly spoken language creates a barrier between Peekay and everyone else. He feels

he does not belongs with the rest of the children. Language was a very important aspect

that related to the character as it differentiated himself from everyone else.

The story took place during the 1930’s and 1940’s in South Africa. Peekay...

... middle of paper ...

... with humans so they believed that they had to connect with spirits to

get through Nkulunkulu. Peekay learned a lot from the Zulu people in South Africa as he

was raised by his Zulu nanny from birth.

Works Cited

"South Africa." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 03 June 2010. .

"African Tribes - Zulu People." African Safaris, African Tours, Africa Holidays and Africa Travel Guide. Web. 1 June 2010. .

Courtenay, Bryce. The Power of One. New York: Delacorte, 2005. Print.

"The Afrikaans Language." Easy Afrikaans. Learn Afrikaans Online. Web. 03 June 2010. .

Spark Notes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. Web. 03 June 2010. .

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