Comments on: Howzit

By: Belinda Guy

Belinda Guy — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:16:46 +0000

Very interesting. What about ‘Ja’. People here in New Zealand say we say ‘Ja’ for everything. That is so true as we tend to say ‘Ja’ opposed to ‘Yes’. This is both English speaking and Afrikaans speaking people. After teaching at a secondary school for two years in New Zealand I have noticed that some of my students started using the word ‘Ja’. Quite amusing.

By: AllaSobirova

AllaSobirova — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:22:28 +0000

All your englishes made me start a new site for Russian speakers-ru.allasobirova.com.Thank you very much for your constant job!

By: Beverley

Beverley — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:17:49 +0000

Why is the background music so loud? It is really irritating. Can’t hear the speech clearly.

By: Margaret Brizzolari

Margaret Brizzolari — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:35:23 +0000

As a South African living and teaching English in Italy, I was amused by and interested in your video. I’ve also noticed a great change in the way English is spoken in South Africa.
I was reminded how different my English was to British English when I spent some time with the British teachers at the first school where I taught in Italy. My instructions to turn right at the “robot” resulted in hysterical laughter and robot-like hand movements. When I said I was wearing a “spencer” under my winter top, they were mystified. They wore “vests”. In an unguarded moment one day, I told someone to “Check out my new takkies,” only to receive a blank stare. I wanted them to admire my trainers.
The list could go on and on. This is the country where money is “bucks” and a minibus taxi is a “zola budd”. Or was – perhaps things have changed again. I’m looking forward to following your blog this month.

By: Randi

Randi — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:28:57 +0000

I have a Dictionary of South African Slang on my website (that you have linked). I've been wanting to do a video series for South African slang since last year but just haven't been up to it - it's still on my to-do list. We have eleven official languages here in South Africa!

By: Laine

Laine — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:55:03 +0000

Hi Barbara,

I will definitely provide a list of the South African English words used here, along with their definitions.Thanks for the comment!

By: Maria Costa

Maria Costa — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:59:54 +0000

Many Thanks, Geoff! So useful and detailed your information!
So “sharp” indeed…

By: Geoff Tracey

Geoff Tracey — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:31:15 +0000

Maria, it is actually the word ‘sharp’ said in a dialectical SA accent and should probably be spelt ‘shap’. It means the same as ‘cool’ and is often said repeating it “shap shap”

By: Maria Costa

Maria Costa — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:21:52 +0000

Nice combination of sounds, languages, cultures.
Is it right what I have listened to?… “I feel shop”= I feel good.
Another interesting South African response: “Hundreds!”
Enjoy the Fifa world Cup 2010!
Thank you very much, Laine.

By: Burt L / Browne

Burt L / Browne — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:20:29 +0000

Apparently ‘kiff’ is derived from the afrikaans ‘gif’ popularised from the english translation ‘poison’ during the ’70s…