The first word list-based Afrikaans spell checker was developed by Nieuwoudt and was adopted by Translate.org.za after relicensing. Using the Nieuwoudt list as a basis, the Translate.org.za Afrikaans checker has been improved and enhanced.

Nieuwoudt, a gradute from Stellenbosch University, created a word list-based checker that could be used to check his Masters thesis. This list grew with additions from many people. Dwayne Bailey, from Translate.org.za, eventually tracked him down working in London to clarify a few things. The original list released by Nieuwoudt had a rather non-standard license that did allow derivate works, but Translate.org.za needed further clarity and details. It was agreed that they would relicense the list under the LGPL and that was the start of the current Afrikaans spell checker.

 

The MySpell checkers also make use of Affix compression. This was adapted from the original used in Ispell. It has been further enhanced by Friedel Wolff to cover many more affix rules and also add a number of enhancements used by MySpell (and now Hunspell) to make the spell checker more accurate.

 

The word list is continually being expanded and corrected. Wolff has made many corrections to the original and numerous missing words have been added. The most important and most obvious missing word being 'want'. Obviously missed by many as they filtered English words from their list of candidate new Afrikaans words.

 

The Afrikaans list has increased from strength to strength. We are still missing many words and need to filter and correct many existing words. A debate still rages as to whether the Afrikaans word list should include proper nouns. For now, we have many proper nouns.

 

Moving forward we need to begin classifying words into parts of speech so that in future we can make better suggestions for aglutenated words. So there is lots of work for anyone who would like to help.