On Language

Language in this part of the world is fascinating, and I can say that without reserve.

 

The English language came to stay so many decades ago, but didn't develop in parallel with the colonizing country even though they stayed in charge.

 

You'll still find fragments of antique English in use today; people "alight" from taxis (and don't understand when you ask to "get off" or "get out").  Formal letters continue to "hereby" declare, submit, and request.  My "good office" is "implored" to "do the needful."  People ask, "Will you keep long?" when they want to know if you'll be quick doing an errand.  And as for conditional sentences, more than once I've been asked, "If you were to be" a so-and-so, "supposing you did" something, and all sorts of constructions much more complexicated than the American "if" that passes in every situation nowadays.

 

Just a quick post to let you know I'm still going.  More is happening in my cooking blog.... by which I mean, I post there at least every two or three weeks...

Accra signage...

In a taxi. Just saw a car with an ad for the no-longer-operating Afriqiyah Airways which had the first two A's removed, leaving FRIQIY Hairways. Intentional or not, I laughed.

Just back from immigration to collect the residence extension in my passport. It wasn't ready yet on the expected due date, to the extent that the employee asked me, "why are you here today?" On the form they gave me, the officer wrote the initial of my first name and my full middle name.  When they called out my middle name, I had no idea they were asking for me until the penny finally dropped on about the fourth repetition.

Got an emergency appointment with the recommended dentist for this afternoon. Bad stuff started happening last night and I'm looking forward to seeing this guy, who's been recommended by friends, guide books and my own embassy. Enough of trying the locals- sometimes you just have to go to the Lebanese.

Taxi driver just said to me, "I want to pass here to swerve the traffic." The things these guys do with the language never cease to amuse!

posted from Bloggeroid

eh?

After two months, I can understand about 2/3 of what people are saying the first time around.  One thing that always gets me, though, is one specific sound, found in all the following sentences.  See if you can figure out what these Ghanaians were saying as I misheard them.


"Is it wecking?"

"Did you have a good Jenny?"

"Don't forget your pess."

"Are you het?"

"It is benning."


Got it yet?



No?


Here are a few hints to make it easier...

"What on eth is happening?"

"It will be ready on Thezzday."



Any thoughts?  Any notions of what these words are supposed to be?

And just who is Jenny, anyway?



Give up?



My friends, it's the "er" sound.

As in...

Is it working?
Did you have a good journey?
Don't forget your purse.
Are you hurt?
It is burning.

And so forth!


I still have a long way to go before I understand people here the way long-termers do.