Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the Khoikhoi people: This term historically refers to a group of pastoral people indigenous to South Africa and Namibia. The term is now considered outdated and often offensive.
   • Any of the Khoisan languages spoken by these people: This refers to the click-consonant languages traditionally spoken by the Khoikhoi and San peoples.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Referring to a person):
  • Early European settlers used the term "Hottentot" to describe the indigenous herders they encountered.
• Noun (Referring to a language):
  • The word incorporates clicks, a feature characteristic of Hottentot languages.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Anthropological Context: The term is primarily used in historical texts. Modern scholarship prefers the specific ethnonyms "Khoikhoi" for the people and "Khoekhoe" or "Khoisan" for the language family.
  • The diary provides a colonial perspective on the "Hottentot" way of life.

Variants and Related Words

• Khoikhoi (n): The preferred and more accurate term for the people historically called Hottentots.
• Khoekhoe (n): Refers to the language or the people.
• Khoisan (n): A term for the larger ethnic and linguistic group encompassing the Khoikhoi and San peoples.

Synonyms

• Khoikhoi: The direct synonym for the people.
• Khoekhoe: A synonym for both the people and their language.

Important Note on Usage

• The term "Hottentot" is considered archaic, pejorative, and offensive in contemporary usage. It is strongly recommended to use the specific, respectful terms Khoikhoi (people), Khoekhoe (language/people), or Khoisan (broader group) instead. Its use today is generally confined to direct quotations from historical sources or discussions of the term itself.

Noun

1. any of the Khoisan languages spoken by the pastoral people of Namibia and South Africa