“It’s not a very helpful language”: Charlize Theron Came Under Fire for ‘Ignorant’ Comments on Her Own South African Heritage After Becoming Hollywood’s Leading Actress

Charlize Theron, a celebrated actress hailing from South Africa, boasts a captivating background rooted in the rich culture of her homeland. Born and raised in Benoni, she embarked on a remarkable journey that led her to international acclaim, becoming an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.
Charlize Theron
The actress stirred controversy when she expressed concerns about the fading vitality of her native language, Afrikaans. During her appearance on the popular Smartless podcast, the acclaimed actress candidly conversed with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, delving into her upbringing in South Africa.

What Did Charlize Theron Say About Afrikaans Language

During their discussion, Theron disclosed that she attained fluency in English upon relocating to the United States at 19. Charlize Theron candidly expressed how effortlessly she shed her South African accent during this transition.

Furthermore, she asserted that Afrikaans, her mother tongue, has declined in popularity, suggesting that only a limited number of individuals, roughly “around 44 people,” still actively speak the language. “It’s definitely a dying language, it’s not a very helpful language.”

Following her remarks, Theron encountered swift backlash from online users, who expressed their disapproval on various social media platforms. The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) joined the fray, condemning the actress and labeling her statements as “disheartening,” “disturbing,” and “inaccurate.”

“These comments made by Ms Theron perpetuate the persistent misconception that Afrikaans is only spoken by white ‘boere’ South Africans, which could not be farther from the truth as 60 per cent of the people that speak the language are black.”

Charlize Theron Faced Huge Backlash For Her Comments

Charlize Theron found herself in a contentious situation when she commented that her native language, Afrikaans, was on the verge of extinction, suggesting that it was only spoken by a meager count of around “44 people.” Her remarks stirred considerable controversy and sparked heated discussions.
Charlize Theron
As reported by The Independent, the 2018 Community Survey conducted by Stats South Africa reveals that Afrikaans holds the position of the third most prevalent language spoken within households. Approximately 12.2% of the country’s population utilizes Afrikaans as their primary means of communication within their homes.

Alongside the criticism directed at her, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) acknowledged Charlize Theron’s esteemed standing in her country of origin. They encouraged the actress to leverage her influential platform to emphasize the significance of utilizing one’s mother tongue in public spaces, highlighting its cultural and linguistic value.

Following her remarks, the actress swiftly encountered a wave of backlash, as numerous individuals expressed their dissent on Twitter, vehemently refuting and denouncing her assertions.