Living in SA - First Impressions (I)
Ok, it is not as difficult as I thought it would be - especially as the roads are build to drive on the other side and the position of the steering wheel helps. But what's with that rule at Stop-streets 'who comes first drives first' ? In my selfassured way I think I am always first - but also I love my car, so better I give in here.
Roundabouts are a different story - not so funny if you find you drove in the wrong way around...
The dryness
God bless Clinique! We arrived at the end of winter, and for the first two weeks I though I die of dehydration. Now it's easy to drink like a maniac (unfortunately Amarula Cream Liquor does'nt count), but I also had to invest a small fortune into humankind's lucky inventions against early signs of ageing.
Tip for travellers: Come well equipped with cream for dry skin: even if you do not have dry skin, here you will get it!
The language
Well, what can I say: People do not always understand me. Now I am already kind of used to this phenomen from living in France and not speaking proper french, but I thought here I would have more luck.
My biggest challenge: People with Africaans origin. Luckily on the phone they can not see my puzzled face-expressions (or are they desperate expressions?), but I have to ask to get spelled a lot!
On the other hand: I already incorporate some SA specific word. My favourite: Izit?! But I have to practise a bit more on 'Janee' and 'Hey'.
Read a full fun guide on SA culture & language here:
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.
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..
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.
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.
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?"
Jawelnofine
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."
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 tires. "Fat tackies" are really wide tires, 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 Africayou don't send your kid
to school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to trade.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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."
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.
Janee
"Yes No" in English. Politics in South Africahas 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
