A
journey into understanding some common South African terms
Are there many different ways
of speaking English? Does English have many forms?
Would you ever imagine yourself flossing with chocolate? Probably not! Yet in South Africa, (also in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand) the fluffy, sugary treat Americans call “Cotton Candy” is known as Candy Floss in these countries.
How about the soft cotton wrap that
babies wear? Well, Americans would term this a “diaper” but in South Africa
they are referred to asnappies.
You spill some cranberry sauce on your
mom’s new Thanksgiving tablecloth. You reach across the table, and grab a
“napkin” to wipe the spot that you spilled on. But what if you were to ask for
a napkin at a sushi restaurant overlooking Table Mountain, in Cape Town, South
Africa? Your waitress would certainly tell you that she’ll be right back with
your serviette.
It’s late; you just finished watching
your high school’s football game. You’re craving an apple pie! Your friends
take you to Denny’s. Your eyes fall upon the pie you want with its crispy crust
and juicy, golden pie filling. You ask for the apple “pie” but did you know in
South Africa, you would actually ask for an apple tart? And no, your waiter would not
return with a promiscuous-looking woman showing way too much skin – tart is used
in South Africa when referring to pie.
You’re on vacation in South Africa.
You’re on a busy, crowded street in Johannesburg when taxi drivers behind you
begin honking angrily (or as South Africans would call hooting) when your car
breaks down. Oops! You’re out of gas. A friendly black woman carrying a basket
of peaches on her head asks if she can help you. With relief, you ask her where
the nearest “gas station” is. She would more than likely know what you mean,
but she would tell you the nearest petrol
station is one block away. In South Africa that liquid
you put into your car is referred to as petrol.
Also, while traveling, remember to
always stop at a red "robot". What robot?! Well, in South Africa,
a robot refers
to a "traffic light", and does not mean you will be met by Wall-E or
a Decepticon.
And finally, you know the ongoing debate
that goes on between Americans. Each state in the United States seems to have
their mind made up about what Coke, Sprite or Pepsi (etc.) is referred to as.
Do you call it “soda” or would you call it “pop”? If you were in South Africa
in a store such as Pick n’ Pay (a well-known supermarket), you would not need
to decide whether you should ask where the “soda” or a “pop” aisle is, because
in South Africa it is simply called cooldrink!
So relax on Boulders Beach where the
penguins roam freely, open up a can ofcooldrink,
purchase some candy floss, enjoy an apple tart and don’t forget
to put in petrol on
your way home after a long journey!
© Romi Andrews & Mike Lundy 2011
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