NAATI CCL Test Practice Just another Language Test
One of the trickiest moments in the Afrikaans NAATI CCL test is when a dialogue suddenly shifts into a legal situation. You might be interpreting something simple — like a conversation about school or housing — and then the next segment brings in terms like breach, custody, intervention order or summons. The tone changes, the stakes feel higher, and many candidates immediately stiffen up. Even fluent bilingual speakers sometimes lose confidence when legal terms appear.
But here’s the important truth Afrikaans NAATI CCL isn’t testing whether you understand Australian law. You’re not expected to analyse legislation, explain legal rules, or give legal advice. What the test actually measures is much simpler — your ability to interpret everyday legal conversations accurately and naturally between English and Afrikaans.
Most legal dialogues in the CCL test are based on common community matters. A neighbour asking for help after receiving a fine. A tenant confused about a notice from the tribunal. Someone trying to understand a domestic violence order. A parent wanting to know how maintenance works. These are familiar situations, and they use a very small collection of legal words that repeat across most dialogues.
Once you become comfortable with those words — both in English and Afrikaans — the stress disappears. Instead of worrying about “legal language”, you start recognising patterns and responding naturally. That is exactly what the examiners are hoping to see.
This guide provides a practical vocabulary list written specifically for Afrikaans NAATI CCL candidates. The Afrikaans translations have been kept simple and natural, and each term includes an explanation in everyday Australian English so you know exactly how it’s used in a real dialogue.
Read Also: NAATI CCL, five bonus points toward Permanent Residency
Legal Vocabulary List (English ↔ Afrikaans)
(Keywords for Afrikaans NAATI CCL Test Practice)
| English Term | Afrikaans Translation | Meaning (Simple Explanation) |
|---|---|---|
| Accused | beskuldigde | Person officially charged with a crime |
| Acquittal | vryspraak | Court decides the person is not guilty |
| Affidavit | beëdigde verklaring | Written statement confirmed under oath |
| Appeal | appèl | Asking a higher court to review a decision |
| Arrest | inhegtenisneming | Police taking someone into custody |
| Assault | aanranding | Physical attack or threatening behaviour |
| Bail | borgtog | Permission to remain free until the court date |
| Barrister | advokaat | Lawyer who appears in higher courts |
| Breach of Contract | kontrakbreuk | Not following a signed agreement |
| Charge | klag | Formal accusation of an offence |
| Civil Case | siviele saak | Non-criminal dispute (money, family, property) |
| Compensation | vergoeding | Payment for loss or damage |
| Confession | bekentenis | Admitting guilt |
| Conviction | skuldigbevinding | Court rules the person is guilty |
| Court Order | hofbevel | Official instruction from the court |
| Custody (child) | toesig / sorgreg | Legal responsibility for a child |
| Defendant | verweerder | Person defending themselves in court |
| Decree | dekreet | Court-issued decision |
| Divorce | egskeiding | Legal end of a marriage |
| Domestic Violence | huishoudelike geweld | Abuse in a household or intimate relationship |
| Evidence | bewyse | Information used to prove something |
| Fine | boete | Money penalty for breaking a rule or law |
| Fraud | bedrog | Dishonest behaviour for personal gain |
| Guilty | skuldig | Found responsible for an offence |
| Hearing | verhoor / sitting | Court session where a matter is discussed |
| Imprisonment | gevangenisstraf | Sentencing someone to jail |
| Intervention Order | beskermingsbevel | Court order to protect someone from harm |
| Judge | regter | The person who oversees the court |
| Jurisdiction | jurisdiksie | The court’s authority over matters |
| Legal Aid | regshulp | Free or low-cost legal assistance |
| Maintenance | onderhoud | Financial support for spouse or child |
| Magistrate | landdros | Judicial officer in local courts |
| Negligence | nalatigheid | Failure to take reasonable care |
| Oath | eed | Promise to tell the truth |
| Offence | oortreding | Breaking the law |
| Parole | parool | Conditional release from prison |
| Plaintiff | eiser | Person who starts a civil case |
| Plea | pleit | Accused person’s response (“guilty” or “not guilty”) |
| Police Statement | polisverklaring | Written account given to police |
| Probation | proef | Supervised freedom instead of jail |
| Prosecution | vervolging | The State bringing a case against someone |
| Sentence | vonnis | Punishment ordered by the court |
| Separation | skeiding | Living apart before or without divorce |
| Summons | dagvaarding | Document ordering someone to attend court |
| Suspect | verdagte | Person believed to be involved in a crime |
| Testimony | getuienis | Evidence given verbally |
| Tribunal | tribunaal | Special body for certain disputes |
| Verdict | uitspraak | Final decision in a trial |
| Witness | getuie | Person who saw or heard the event |
| Warrant | lasbrief | Legal document allowing arrest or search |
Read Also: What is NAATI CCL?
Study Tips for Afrikaans NAATI CCL Practice
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Break the vocabulary list into smaller sections and revise a few terms each day.
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Say the English and Afrikaans terms aloud to build natural fluency.
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Write short practice sentences using new words to reinforce meaning.
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Listen to short legal explainers or Australian community law clips to get used to the tone.
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In the exam, keep your interpreting steady and respectful — legal dialogues usually require calm, neutral delivery.
