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Post by palesa on Mar 2, 2009 6:29:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2009 6:33:17 GMT
Interesting list, palesa. The word "bru" could definitely cause confusion among the French, because that is the word for daughter-in-law.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 2, 2009 7:10:34 GMT
Thanks for that, Palesa -- really interesting!
My friend from Cape Town sounded more English than anything else. I've met S.Africans from up your way who were quite easy to understand, but there was a definite difference in accent. And I met one S.African from Johannesburg whose English was almost unintelligible.
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Post by happytraveller on Mar 2, 2009 8:02:08 GMT
Well, we all know what a bakkie is don't we
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Post by palesa on Mar 2, 2009 8:06:04 GMT
There we go, you are now officially ready for your visit to SA! *off to make bed*
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Post by happytraveller on Mar 2, 2009 8:13:55 GMT
LOL ! Actually, I am surprised how well I understand SA-accent. There was this show on TV the other day about a SA-guy who is really good working with Lions and Hyenas (sp?) and I perfectly understood. I think nowadays I have the most problems with american/canadian accents...
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 2, 2009 8:17:08 GMT
Whyzat?
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Post by bazfaz on Mar 2, 2009 9:15:43 GMT
The article mentions robot but says no more about the word. When we visited South Africa five years ago I warned Mrs Faz that South Africans didn't use the expression traffic lights. If they were giving directions they would say: Turn left at the robot. A complication is that Saffers know it is of continental European origin. But not knowing any Czech they have decided on A French rendering. So you turn left at the roe-boe.
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Post by happytraveller on Mar 2, 2009 9:33:25 GMT
Probably because it's the most different to Australian accent. And Aussie-accent is what I'm used to most.
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Post by palesa on Mar 3, 2009 4:26:00 GMT
The South African accent is sort of similar to the NZ accent but I have been mistaken for an Aussie a few times when travelling. I often struggle with the American accent. We have a family friend who lives in Indianapolis and when he visits I spend half my time with a stupid smile on my face because I am so conscious of constantly saying pardon, excuse me, can you repeat that. My word and when he phones, or skypes me, I break out into a cold sweat. But, I guess I cope fine with my colleagues in DC and most TV programmes, but some movies I watch with sub-titles on.
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Post by happytraveller on Mar 3, 2009 7:47:31 GMT
The South African accent is sort of similar to the NZ accent but I have been mistaken for an Aussie a few times when travelling. Oh, then I really shouldn't have any problems understanding South African ;D
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 3, 2009 21:48:43 GMT
I was bein fuhseeshus wen I asked "whyzat"? I'm aware ov how Uhmerricun English sounz to minny people.
I also have a theory that it's the rhythm with which people speak English that makes up part of what we call "accent". Sometimes I have trouble understanding British English for that reason.
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