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Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: Des on September 29, 2009, 11:20:10 PM

Title: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Des on September 29, 2009, 11:20:10 PM
If you plan to visit SA..... this is very important.... heheheh

BRUSH UP ON THE PRAATJIES WITH THE OKES!
Brush up on the chit-chat between friends!

Braai
What is a braai? It is the first thing you will be invited  to when you
visit South Africa . A braai is a backyard barbecue and it  will take
place whatever the weather. So you will have to go even if  it's
raining like mad. At a braai you will be introduced to a  substance
known as mieliepap.

Ag
This one of the most  useful South African words. Pronounced like the
"ach" in the German  "achtung", it can be used to start a reply when
you are asked a tricky  question, as in: "Ag, I don't know." Or a sense
of resignation:"Ag OK,  I'll have some more mieliepap then." It can
stand alone too as a signal  of irritation.

Donner
A rude word, it  comes from the Afrikaans "donder" (thunder).
Pronounced "dorner", it  means "beat up." A team member in your rugby team can get donnered in a  game, or your wife can donner you if you come back from a braai at  three in the morning.

Eina
Widely used by all  language groups, this word, derived from the
Afrikaans, means "ouch."  Pronounced "aynah". You can say it in
sympathy when you see your friend  the day after he got donnered by his wife.

Hey
Often used at the end  of a sentence to emphasize the importance of
what has just been said,  as in "You're only going to get donnered if
you come in late again,  hey?" It can also stand alone as a question.
Instead of saying "excuse  me?" or "pardon me?" when you have not heard something directed at you,  you can always say: "Hey?"

Izit?
This is another  great word to use in conversations. Derived from the
two words "is" and  "it", it can be used when you have nothing to
contribute if someone  tells you something at a braai. For instance, if
someone would say:  "The Russians will succeed in their bid for
capitalism once they adopt  a work ethic and respect for private
ownership." It is quite  appropriate to respond by saying: "Izit?"

Ja well no  fine
This is another conversation fallback. Derived from the four  words:
"yes", "well", "no" and fine", it roughly means "OK". If your  bank
manager tells you your account is overdrawn, you can, with  confidence, say: "Jawelnofine."

Klap
Pronounced  "klup" - an Afrikaans word meaning smack, whack or spank.
If you spend  too much time in front of the TV during exam time, you
could end up  getting a "klap" from your mother. In America , that is
called child  abuse. In South Africa , it is called promoting education.
But to get  "lekker geklap" is to get motherlessly drunk.

Lekker
An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word  is used by all language
groups to express approval. If you enjoyed a  braai thoroughly, you can
say: "Now that was lekk-errrrrrr!" while  drawing out the last
syllable.

Tackies
These are sneakers  or running shoes. The word is also used to describe
automobile or truck  tyres. "Fat tackies" are really wide tyres, as in:
"You've got lekker  fat tackies on your Vôlla, hey?"

Dop
This word has two  basic meanings, one good and one bad. First the
good: A dop is a drink,  a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. When
invited for a dop, be careful!  It could be one sedate drink or a
blast, depending on the company. Now  the bad: To dop is to fail. If
you "dopped" standard two (Grade 4) more  than once, you probably won't
be reading  this.

Saamie
This is a sandwich. For generations, school- children have  traded
"saamies" during lunch breaks. In South Africa you don't send  your kid to school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to  trade.

Bakkie
This word is pronounced "bucky" and can refer to a small  truck or
pick-up. If a young man takes his "girl" (date) in a bakkie it  could
be considered as a not so "lekker" form of transport because the  seats can't recline.


Howzit
This is a universal South African greeting,  and you will hear this
word throughout the country. It is often  accompanied with the word
"Yes!" as in: "Yes, howzit?". In which case  you answer "No, fine."

Now now
In much of the outside  world, this is a comforting phrase: "Now now,
it's really not so bad."  But in South Africa , this phrase is used in
the following manner:  "Just wait, I'll be there now now." It means "a little after  now".

Tune  grief
To be tuned grief is to be  aggravated, harassed. For example, if you
argue with somebody about a  rugby game at a braai and the person had too much dop (is a little  "geklap"), he might easily get aggravated and say.: "You're tuning me  grief, hey!". To continue the argument after this could be unwise and  result in major tuning of grief..

Boet
This is an  Afrikaans word meaning "brother" which is shared by all
language  groups. Pronounced "boot" but shorter, as in "foot", it can
be applied  to a brother or any person of the male sex. For instance a
father can  call his son "boet" and friends can apply the term to each
other too.  Sometimes the diminutive "boetie" is used. But don't use it on someone  you hardly know - it will be thought patronizing and could lead to you  getting a "lekker klap".

Pasop
From the Afrikaans phrase meaning "Watch  Out!", this warning is used and heeded by all language groups. As in:  "The boss hasn't had his coffee yet - so you better pasop boet"  Sometimes just the word
"pasop!" is enough without further explanation.  Everyone knows it sets out a line in the sand not to be  crossed.

Skop, Skiet en  donner
Literally "kick, shoot and  thunder", this phrase is used by many South African speakers to  describe action movies. A Clint Eastwood movie is always a good choice  if you're in the mood for of a lekker skop, skiet en donner  flick.

Vrot
Pronounced -  "frot". A expressive word which means "rotten" or
"putrid" in  Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe
anything they  really dislike. Most commonly intended to describe fruit
or vegetables  whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of old
tackies  (sneakers) worn a few years too long can be termed "vrot" by
some  unfortunate folk which find themselves in the same vicinity as
the  wearer. Also a rugby player who misses important kicks or tackles
can  be said to have played a vrot game - opposite to a "lekker" game
(but  not to his face). A movie was once reviewed with this headline:
"Slick  Flick, Vrot Plot."
Could  also be used as an expression" I got vrot last night" (drunk)

Rock up
To rock up is to just, sort of arrive (called "gate crash"  in other
parts of the world). You don't make an appointment or tell  anyone you are coming - you just rock up. Friends can do that but you  have to be selective about it. For example, you can't just rock up for  a job
interview.


Scale
To scale something  is to steal it. A person who is "scaly" has a
doubtful character, is  possibly a scumbag, and should rather be left
off the invitation list  to your next braai.

Ja-nee
"Yes No" in  English. Politics in South Africa has always been
associated with  family arguments and in some cases even with physical fights. It is  believed that this expression originated with a family member who  didn't want to get a klap or get donnerred, so he just every now and  then muttered "ja-nee". Use it when you are required to respond, but  would rather not choose to agree or  disagree.

Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Hanify on September 30, 2009, 12:02:11 AM
The only one I know is

Kak in die millie.....


 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;

I'll let you explain that one.  I can't believe your lists didn't include Kak!  Every SA I know says Kak with regularity hee hee.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Des on September 30, 2009, 04:43:48 AM
kak..... hehehe

It is a very important word it is "shit"

But we use it a lot!!!!

You are in kak if you come home late......

You can also feel kak if you are sick....

heheheheheheh

Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: willowtreewren on September 30, 2009, 06:35:53 AM
I love this Des. Before I come visit, I'll have to study it carefully!

Aleta
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Sunny on September 30, 2009, 02:22:25 PM
Very funny to see how words are used in other cultures.
Thanks for the lesson.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Falkenbach on October 02, 2009, 01:59:08 AM
Ah, we sometimes say "I feel kak" here in Australia. Didn't know that was South African. We don't use it in any other context, though.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: KICKSTART on October 09, 2009, 07:51:35 AM
Donner ..commonly known as a type of kebab over here !  :rofl;

Hey .. as in hello ..hey there .

Klap (clap) putting your hands together in appreciation (we also have another meaning for it but its too rude for here !)

Tackie , someone with poor taste or a cheap poor quality item .

Sammie ..over here known as a Sarnie !or a butty.

Bakkie , something we use to make ciggies with .. :rofl;

Now now = there ,there.

Boet . something we go down the river in  :rofl;

Dop you say is a noggin , a noggin is someone with no brains !

Scale , something we all stand on every day to see our weight !!!!
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: draven on October 09, 2009, 09:14:38 AM
Loving this post  :rofl;

Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Des on October 09, 2009, 01:47:47 PM
clap like in the std?

Oh this post is hilarious! Just imagin when you here it here in SA.. You will be VERY confused.

O yes and clap is also :clap;  and we also use scale as a weighing instrument.
but the bakkie thing is going to be very confusing.

We call a traffic light a robot and a sidewalk a pavement.

Do not ask for a nice donner because you will have two black eyes... oh my!  :rofl; and nothing to eat.

and it seems that "feeling kak" has gone universal ! so cool!

hehehehehhehe
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: KICKSTART on October 09, 2009, 02:10:07 PM
Yeah clap as in std .. :rofl;

Its actually baccie ..short for tobacco !

We also say if something is Kak ..its rubbish !
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: draven on October 09, 2009, 02:37:17 PM
Just my  :twocents;

The South African Prounciations are

Kak = Kuk

Klap (clap) = Klup

I definatly wouldnt say i gave that person a klap. unless they were onstage performing.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Bajanne on October 11, 2009, 08:41:14 AM
I love this thread, since I am a language collector.

The 'now now' was familiar to me because in Caribbean English, we make things superlative by repetition.
'Man, it is hot hot today', means 'it is very hot today'.  So if someone wants you to bring something right away, they would say 'Bring it now now'

This thread is nice nice.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: KICKSTART on October 11, 2009, 11:10:12 AM
Funny how you say things ..twice , twice .. :rofl;
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Bajanne on October 11, 2009, 11:37:00 AM
 :rofl;
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: KICKSTART on October 11, 2009, 02:31:01 PM
By the way if you hear us english say we are going for a ..Fag , it means a cigarette  ! :rofl;
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Stoday on October 12, 2009, 11:49:43 AM
We also say "Keep your pecker up" meaning keep cheerful, not the US meaning!  :rofl;
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Des on October 12, 2009, 11:10:33 PM
We also say "Keep your pecker up" meaning keep cheerful, not the US meaning!  :rofl;

OH MY! That is so funny!
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Ladystardust24 on October 13, 2009, 09:09:46 PM
 :clap;
lol

KickStart.. Hve you ever heard of "the Georgia Nickelson series"? its by "Louise Renison(Sp?) Its an english young adult book series for young women.. but its HILARIOUS! my friends mom read them.. and alot of older women.. even tho its mostly for teens.. its soo funny. and its british.. and in the back there is a glossary of english slang..and int he front of the book Georgia says sorry for not telling us that "fag" means ciggarette and shes like 'i am very sorry my hamburger-a-go go friends that i did not explain this..and no we do not light our homosexuals on fire."

haha.. i thought it was hilarious..those books are a must read..way too funny.

But i speak Russian since my family is from there... Most people know "Babushka" but most pronouce it wrong... lol its not "baabushhka.." its more like "bab-oo-shka" so the bab is short.. then the "oo" then the shka... not like "baboon.. not u sound.. ooo sound. haha. I think if you speak spanish.. you can say it better, since it uses similar.. tongue twisting. ahha.
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: KICKSTART on October 14, 2009, 01:40:27 PM
Hi , i will look out for those books , something to read at dialysis !  Im not sure how old you are? but Kate Bush did a song called 'Babooshka' !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3cVY1JESQ
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Stoday on October 14, 2009, 05:36:17 PM
But i speak Russian since my family is from there...

Hey that's interesting. I worked in Russia for a couple of months or so 9 years ago.

There's a phrase I never did find out the meaning (it's not in the dictionary). Got it from some guys on the train from Moscow to Pskov.

Пошёл на хуй — Can you give an indication of what it means?
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Ladystardust24 on October 14, 2009, 10:12:29 PM
 :rofl;
Sorry I just can't help but laugh at that...

But ummm... I'll try to "rephrase it" it means... "go f*** yourself."  And I laugh because, thats just a very Russian thing to do on a train if someone is bothering/asking you something/generally standing there... So I hope this doesn't disappoint you after 9 years...  :cuddle; 
Title: Re: Bridging the language barrier
Post by: Stoday on October 15, 2009, 11:54:30 AM
Thanks, Ladystardust. I knew it was rude.

Having learnt the phrase I tried it out on our interpretor, a 25 year old woman of stern demeanor. "Mr Stoday", she said, "How dare you use that phrase in my presence. Go and wash your mouth out with soap!"

So, you see, I thought it prudent not to press the issue of its meaning.