Tsotsitaal

Tsotsitaal is a form of urban slang or cant that developed among Black South Africans in the townships during the 20th century. The term derives from isiZulu tsotsi, meaning thug or gangster, reflecting its association with the tsotsi subculture and street life.

It is a mixed language or contact variety that blends Afrikaans and English as structural bases, with a large lexicon drawn from Nguni languages such as Zulu and Xhosa, as well as Sotho and Tswana. Speakers frequently switch between languages within sentences, creating a distinctive rhythm and style; grammar often mirrors Afrikaans, but with strong Nguni influence.

Historically, Tsotsitaal emerged among migrant workers and township youths in urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town in the early to mid-20th century. It functioned as a lingua franca that cut across ethnic groups, a social signal of urban identity, and a tool for negotiation and survival in a segregated society. It also appeared in street performances and popular music.

In later decades, usage declined as strict language controls persisted, but many elements persisted in urban slang and Afrikaans-influenced English. The term and its style influenced later South African urban speech and youth culture, including the kwaito movement.

In popular culture, the 2005 film Tsotsi about a Johannesburg gangster helped popularize the term abroad and underscored its place in South Africa’s urban linguistic landscape.