Prof Rufus Gouws, Professor in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at Stellenbosch University, writes:

The Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at Stellenbosch University is grateful and indebted to Mr Japie Coetsee for the very special gesture of establishing a language scholarship in his name. This proves that although dictionary words made up a huge part of Japie’s career, he was also well aware of the importance of adding action to words. This gesture not only contributes to his name living on in the academic environment, but also ensures that his life’s work devoted to the advancement of Afrikaans will continue.

Japie Coetsee’s distinguished career as a lexicographer is a confirmation of a significantly more comprehensive interest and passion, namely for the Afrikaans language as such. His lexicographic work was a way of actively contributing to the artistic and scientific cultivation of the lexicon of Afrikaans by having its precious vocabulary recorded for current and future members of the extended Afrikaans language community. His lexicographical work not only describes the Afrikaans language, but also the diverse Afrikaans culture conveyed through the language, which significantly enriches Afrikaans and its lexicography.

As a lexicographer, Japie Coetsee was involved in drafting various parts of the comprehensive Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal (Dictionary of the Afrikaans Language), fondly known as the WAT. He was well known for his ability to explain the meaning of a word both eloquently and precisely, and to select from the WAT’s extensive data collection the most appropriate examples to illustrate the use of the word in its various connotations. This means dictionary users gain a proper understanding of the meaning of a word, while being guided on how to use the word in a specific usage situation or context.

For Japie Coetsee it was important that his work offered a realisation of his love for Afrikaans and the Afrikaans lexicography. It was also important to him that he assisted speakers of Afrikaans both through his lexicographic work and through personal involvement. As a staff member of the WAT, he had to provide lexicography students with an overview of the work of the Bureau of the WAT, the lexicographic process, as well as the nature and scope of a lexicographer’s mammoth task whenever they visited the WAT. He carried out this assignment with dedication and care, and in the process inspired students of lexicography and Afrikaans.

The scholarships future students will receive through Japie Coetsee’s bequest will continue his love for Afrikaans and the Afrikaans lexicography. And for that, the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch expresses its sincere thanks and appreciation.