The Kafir Language: Comprising a Sketch of Its History; Which Includes a General Classification of South African Dialects, Ethnographical and Geographical; Remarks Upon Its Nature, and a Grammar (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Kafir Language: Comprising a Sketch of Its History; Which Includes a General Classification of South African Dialects, Ethnographical and Geographical; Remarks Upon Its Nature, and a Grammar

It is matter of regret, that the languages Of the aboriginal tribes have received so little notice from the Colonial government. In some other parts of the British empire, philological studies frequently enjoy the patronage of those in authority, and con siderable inducement is accordingly presented to those who endeavour to mould an aboriginal dialect into grammatical or lexicographical forms. In a few instances, indeed, the civil officers of government are required to be in some degree conversant, with one or more of the languages spoken by the people with whom they are officially connected. Such a requisition as this, on the part of the Cape govern ment, could not fail to be attended with advantage to the public service; more particularly to that part of it, which refers to their political relations with the native tribes beyond the Eastern and Northern frontiers, several of which have recently been brought within the pale of British Sovereignty.

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