South African Word of the Year Shortlist Announced
The Pan South African Language Board has released a list of terms that defined the national mood throughout 2026.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Language Learning
Live Poll
Do you believe the selected words accurately reflect the biggest issues in your community this year?
The Pan South African Language Board has unveiled the official shortlist for the 2026 South African Word of the Year. The selection highlights terms and signs that captured the country's preoccupations and concerns over the past 12 months.
Why it matters
This annual initiative provides a snapshot of the national conversation by tracking linguistic trends across various media platforms. It captures the shifting cultural landscape and social climate that influenced public discourse in South Africa throughout the year.
The list features six primary candidates for the main award, seven for the social media category, and three South African Sign Language signs. PanSALB requires all shortlisted terms to demonstrate a significant increase in media usage over the prior 12 months.
The players
Pan South African Language Board
This is a constitutional body established to promote and develop language in South Africa.
Madlanga Commission
The commission is tasked with investigating allegations of corruption within the nation's law enforcement agencies.
The details
The candidates include popular phrases such as Clock It, Nikhona?, Gone Kanje, Diabolical, Abahambe, Aura Farming, and Ashwagandha. These terms were identified by language experts and research partners who monitored usage trends to ensure the list reflects the specific mood and concerns of the country.
Timeline
The 2026 year serves as the period captured by the initiative.
The shortlist was officially announced on 14 October 2026.
Culture Shift
The annual selection reflects a broader cultural trend of using digital media and social platform vernacular to define national identity. This process highlights how evolving vocabulary captures contemporary societal shifts compared to the more static linguistic standards of the past.
Residents can observe how specific phrases they encounter daily have been elevated to national cultural markers. The list allows individuals to engage with the evolution of South African English and Sign Language as it adapts to current social trends.
The takeaway
Pay attention to how the language you use online reflects the current national dialogue. Tracking these terms offers a unique way to understand the evolving priorities and shared experiences of your community throughout the year.
Further reading
Explore how local dialects are documented in the Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Diamond Fields Advertiser.
Live Poll
Do you believe the selected words accurately reflect the biggest issues in your community this year?
