Gelykende

Gelykende is an Afrikaans term that functions as an adjective and present participle meaning “equalizing” or “making equal.” It describes actions, policies, or processes intended to create parity between people, groups, or things, rather than merely describing a state of being equal.

Etymology and form: Gelykende is formed from the root gelyk, meaning “equal,” with the participial suffix -ende. This construction yields forms such as gelykende maatreëls (equalizing measures) and gelykende behandeling (equal treatment). Related nouns and concepts include gelykheid (equality), gelykmaking (making equal), and gelykstelling (parity or standardization).

Usage and contexts: The term appears in legal, educational, and economic discourse to label actions or policies aimed at fairness or parity. Examples include gelykende maatreëls to promote equal opportunities or to harmonize conditions, and gelykende behandeling to describe nondiscriminatory practices in service provision or employment. The exact sense of gelykende depends on context, ranging from procedural alignment to substantive equality of outcomes.

Variants and related terms: While gelykende focuses on the process of making things equal, related terms cover broader notions of equality and parity, such as gelykheid for the state of being equal, and gelykstelling or gelykmaking for formalizing parity. In translation, gelykende often corresponds to English “equalizing” or “parity-enhancing.”

See also: gelykheid, gelykmaking, gelykstelling, gelykende maatreëls, gelyke regte.