Afrikaans is closely related to Dutch, and it is mutually intelligible with it to a large extent. However, there are some significant differences between the two languages, in terms of both vocabulary and grammar.
One of the most notable features of Afrikaans is the use of the "double-d" sound, which is pronounced as a "d" followed by a "j" sound. This sound is written as "dd" in Afrikaans, and it is found in words like "baie" (which means "many" or "very") and "goed" (which means "good").
Afrikaans also has a number of unique vocabulary items that are not found in Dutch. For example, the word "braai" (which means "to barbecue") is a distinctly Afrikaans word.
In terms of grammar, Afrikaans is a relatively simple language. It has a subject-verb-object word order, and there are no articles in Afrikaans.
Overall, Afrikaans is a rich and vibrant language that has a long history in southern Africa. It is a language that is constantly evolving, and it will continue to be spoken by people in southern Africa for many years to come.