SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS TO AIR IN AFRIKAANS

We’ve all come to know and love the character who lives in a pineapple under the sea, but are we ready for the Afrikaans version of SpongeBob SquarePants?

As part of its mission to preserve the local language, kids channel Nickelodeon has decided to translate the series into three South African languages.

This comes after the channel was made aware of the fact that “indigenous languages make up the majority of the languages that are under threat and it’s believed that one indigenous language dies every two weeks”, according to a study done by the United Nations.

The study shows that “by the year 2100 more than half of the world’s languages will be extinct”.

Since December 2022, South African viewers have been able to watch the show in English and Zulu. Now, Afrikaans viewers will also be able to watch the show in their mother tongue.

The Nick In Your Language project was launched to promote inclusivity and cultural diversity in children’s entertainment across South Africa, according to the channel.

This is the first time that a Nickelodeon show has been dubbed into Afrikaans.

Hit the ‘options button on your DStv remote and scroll down to ‘language’ to select the language of your choice.

Image credit: WAMU