LL-L "Etymology" 2012.08.14 (01) [AF-EN]

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 L O W L A N D S - L - 13 August 2012 - Volume 03
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From: Ingmar Roerdinkholder <roerd096 at PLANET.NL>
 Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2012.08.13 (03) [EN]

Beste Jacqueline,
I think it's from Malay (Indonesian) nonya = miss, mistress. The Cape Dutch
had many slaves from the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, and their
language had a great deal of influence in the onset and development of
Afrikaans.
Another frequent Afrikaans word from Malay is 'baie' from banya(k) = much,
many, a lot, with the same meaning in Afrikaans.

Groeten,
Ingmar

From: Jacqueline Bungenberg de Jong [Dutchmatters at comcast.net]
> Subject: LL-L "Etymology"
>
> Hello Lowlanders.
>
> I am reading “Agaat” by the South African writer Marlene van Niekerk. I
> have two copies. One a translation from South African into Dutch and the
> other into English.
>
> The book itself is an incredible read. Both translations are imaginative
> with the English one by Michiel Heyns winning by a nosefor sheer literary
> quality. However, neither of the translators gives an etymology of the word
> “nooi” as in ‘ounooi’ an honorific for the (white) lady of the ‘plaas’. Of
> course my curiosity won out! Do any of our South African members know the
> answer to this question? If so…… Much obliged.
>
> Jacqueline BdJ
> Seattle US
>

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From: Mark and Ruth Dreyer mrdreyer at telkomsa.net
 Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2012.08.13 (03) [EN]

Dear Jacqueline:
Subject: LL-L "Etymology"
You asked about the etymology of the word “nooi” as in ‘ounooi’ an
honorific for the (white) lady of the ‘plaas’.

'Nooi' is used much like 'meisie' - 'maiden' in the English of past
generations. 'Ounooi' carries the concept (& the affection) to one of more
mature years or rank. But beware; ''oujongnooi' - 'old-young-maiden'
carries the meaning 'old maid' - 'a spinster of a certain age': Which, one
takes it, such a one would usually rather not be reminded about.

This is what Boshoff & Nienaber says (Afrikaanse Etimologie):
"Meisie, beminde, vrou" geskiedkundig gesproke nie van *nonna*, "vrou",
"oudste dogter", en die diminutief, *nonnie* "jongste dogter" te skei nie.
Sedert 17de Eeu in SA gedokumenteer, b.v. deur Adam Tas ens.
Uit die Maleis *njonja / nonah* uit die Portugees *dona* uit die Latyns *
domina*; of die Fries *nonke*...

Chambers Etymological Dictionary (just for fun):
Nun: . A female of the Church who devotes herself to celibacy & seclusion.
Anglo Saxon *nunna* - Low Latin *nonna*, *nunna*, an old maiden, lady, the
original signification being 'mother'; cf. Greek *nunne*, 'Aunt' & Sanskrit
*nana*, a child's word for 'Mother'.

Yours,
Mark

PS to All, apologies for lurking.

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From: elaine kruger-haye elainekh at eject.co.za
 Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2012.08.13 (03) [EN]

Hello Jacqueline

I'm glad you are enjoying Agaat  - I do prefer the original language, but
that is my feeling

"Nooi" was originally used as a title of respect (like Ma'am) by slaves and
servants but then came to mean also "girlfriend"  (Maybe indicating the
subservient position of the boyfriend :-).  Many dictionaries still give
the proper spelling as  noi with a circumflex accent on the "o".  This
seems to have been the original spelling.  Maybe to differentiate from
'"nooi" meaning invite (Dt  ''nodig" Ger. "noetigen"

The usual etymology is given as from Malay "non(j)ah"  meaning the same as
"nooi".  An alternative word was "nonna" which is closer to the Malay.
There is one dissenting voice in the late 1800s that sees it as coming from
Portuguese "noiva" meaning "fiancee", but this is not really accepted, just
noted in the dictionary.

Elaine Krueger-Haye from the Cape of Storms (it is winter)

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
 Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2012.08.13 (03) [EN]

Dear Lowlanders,

It may interest some of you to now that in today's Malaysia and Singapore, *
nonya* or *nyonya* refers to a "Straights Chinese" woman. The masculine
equivalent is *baba* (爸爸 'daddy'). The Baba and Nyonya are decedents from
Chinese mixed with Malays and are often referred to as "Baba Chinese" or
"Baba Malay," as are their Chinese-influenced dialects of
Malay<http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/baba-info.php>,
while their cuisine is known as "Nyonya cuisine."

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA

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