Photogallery

 

Photo left: Stonehage Charitable Trust of Londen recently donated a further R150 000 to the WAT for the printing of the first part of the letter S of the WAT. On the photo are Koos Rossouw of Stonehage, Erna Meaker (chairperson of the WAT Trust) and Willem Botha (editor-in-chief and executive director of the WAT).

Photo right: Ex-judge Albie Sachs is a good friend of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal and recently visited the WAT in Stellenbosch for the second time. Sachs compared the work on the WAT to building a Gothic cathedral: the result is imposing. He insisted that the letter S be added to the WAT banner for this photograph, as he is pleased that the WAT has progressed so far. He stressed that Afrikaans has a role to play in elevating the other African languages to the higher functions. He also praised the WAT for their work in this regard, including the training of lexicographers for the African languages. On the photo he is with Dr. Willem Botha, editor-in-chief and executive director of the WAT.

 

 

Launch of Volume XIII of the WAT

WAT volume XIII was launched on 31 July 2009 at the WAT offices.

 

 

 

The Honor Roll of Donors at the WAT is taken into use

The WAT is dependent on the support of its donors and an Honor Roll was taken into use in 2008 with the names of the Anchor Donors of the WAT, who at present are ABSA Bank, Afrikanerbond, Dagbreek Trust, G.T. Ferreira, Fonds Neerlandistiek, Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds, L.W. Hiemstra Trust, D.W.R. Hertzog, E. de la H. Hertzog, D.M. Hoogenhout, M. Jooste, Marie Luttig Trust, E. de la H. Meaker, N. Steyn Trust, Remgro Ltd and Venfin Ltd, Rupert Gesinstigtings, SANLAM, Sappi Ltd, Sasol, Sdu Nederland, Stonehage Charitable Trust, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, University of the Freestate.

 

 

Training Courses and workshops

 

 
     
 

It is important to the WAT to be involved in the training of lexicographers and the training of learners in the use of dictionaries. Therefore training courses for lexicographers and aspiring lexicographers are presented at the WAT that are tailored to the specific needs of the course participants. Workshops are also presented at schools to encourage learners to use dictionaries. At these workshops the Elektroniese WAT is presented to teachers as a means to teach Afrikaans and detailed lesson plans are made available to them.

  
 

 

Woordpret

The WAT holds a Woordpret function four times a year to give exposure to Afrikaans authors, poets, singers and narrators. Zamar, Charlene Truter, Daniel Hugo and Carina Diedericks-Hugo, Dana Snyman and Nico Nel are some of the guests who performed in the past.

Other guests are Deon Meyer (far left), and Johan Bakkies (left).
   

 

David Kramer performed at Woordpret during September 2010. He discussed the origin of some of his songs, spoke about the writing process and sang famous hits as well as new songs. The guests enjoyed David's informal and sincere style.

 
   
       
 
 

 

 

 

New chairpersons for the Board of the WAT and the WAT Trust

History was recently made at the WAT when women were elected as chairpersons of the Board of the WAT as well as the WAT Trust. Prof. Magda Fourie is the new chairperson of the Board of the WAT, and Mrs Erna Meaker heads the WAT Trust.

  

 

 

Afrilex Conference

In 2008 the WAT organised the thirteenth international Afrilex conference. Afrilex is the acronym for the African Association for Lexicography. About 100 people registered for the conference and 35 papers were presented.

 

Publications

The WAT wants to compile smaller dictionaries in addition to the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal. The Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans (EWA) was published in 2003 with funding from the Netherlands. This was followed by the Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans Supplement in 2007. Both publications were compiled in collaboration with external authors and funded with Dutch money. The first J.J. Smith medal was awarded to Dr Joost Kist, trustee of the WAT Trust, for his role in securing the funds from the Netherlands.

  

 

 

 

WAT turns 80
   

The Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal turned eighty in 2006. Stellenbosch University sponsored the celebration of the eightieth birthday with a finger buffet and a performance of the Stellenbosch Libertas Choir in the Endler Hall. Fund raising dinners were also introduced and the first was at Tokara with Dr Mathews Phosa as speaker. This was soon followed by a dinner at the home of Christo and Caro Wiese with David Kramer and Evita Bezuidenhout as guest artists.

  

 


Lexicography units for all official languages

Lexicography units for each of the official languages exist since 2000. The units gather twice a year to discuss matters of common interest.


General

 

Far Left: Dr Frik Lombard and Dr Willem Botha frequently answer language queries of listeners on Sonday mornings on the programme Die tale wat ons praat on Radio sonder grense.

Left: Staff members of the WAT in convivial mood.

  

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