Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Lost in Translation

South African Flag, originally uploaded by afromusing. Australian Flag, originally uploaded by pookado.



Haha, taking advantage of the internet access while I have it.

So, although I speak English, it is not quite the same language as that spoken in my new country.
Some examples:

Did you want? = Would you like
See you later = Goodbye, because chances are you aren't going to see the person later. Or maybe ever again.
How you going? = Hello, or in SA we would say Howzit?
Singlet = vest or tank top
That's alright = It's a pleasure

That said, most everyone I have met so far has been as foreign as me, if not more so (not distance wise, but certainly language and culture wise.) So I actually don't know what Authentic Australianese is. Maybe it's to be found at my new favourite sushi bar where you can get lunch for $4 (R30) - so cheap! So friendly, so kind. Oh, wait, that's everyone in Melbourne.

4 comments:

shula said...

It's only when I leave the country that I remember that we speak a dialect. And it varies from state to state, too.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need a translation.

Mary said...

You'll find the slang different from Melbourne to Sydney too LOL. So glad to see that you've arrived safely! Welcome :-) x

Marilyn P. Sushi said...

Your photos in the previous post are gorgeous! I'm so glad you made it in ok and safely. I'm sure you'll continue to settle in and get use to things nicely.

Pink Heels said...

Too funny! I had never known that South African English is closer to U.S. English then that spoken in Australia.