African English

African English refers to the varieties of English spoken across the continent of Africa. Africa is highly multilingual, with English serving as a common language for administration, education, and wider communication alongside numerous indigenous languages.1

In South Africa, English coexists with Afrikaans, a language that evolved from Dutch. While South African English has distinct features and incorporates local terms, its speakers generally do not consider it a separate language.1

Elsewhere in Africa, English is an official language in many multilingual countries, reflecting historical ties and the need for broader communication. It's important to distinguish this from African American English (AAE), which is a distinct variety of American English spoken by African Americans.12