Kollektiewe

Kollektiewe is a term used in Afrikaans linguistics to describe words that denote a group of individuals or things regarded as a single entity. The concept covers two related uses: collective nouns, which name a group (for example gesin, span, gemeenskap), and the attributive form of the adjective meaning “collective,” as in phrases like kollektiewe besluit.

As a noun, a kollektiv is used to refer to a group as a unit. In practice, sentences with collective nouns can take the verb form that reflects either the group as a single unit or the individuals within the group, depending on meaning and context. For example, a collective may be treated as singular when emphasizing unity, or plural when emphasizing the members. This flexible agreement is common with many Afrikaans collective nouns and varies with discourse and emphasis.

As an adjective, kollektiewe functions to describe something related to or produced by a group. It commonly appears before a noun to form phrases such as die kollektiewe besluit (the collective decision). Adjectives in Afrikaans generally agree with the noun they modify in number, and kollektiewe follows standard patterns of adjectival inflection.

Etymologically, kollektiewe derives from Latin collectivus through Dutch influence and has remained a standard term in linguistic, sociological, and political discussions in Afrikaans. The concept helps distinguish language that references groups as wholes from language that highlights individual members, aiding clarity in both analysis and everyday usage.