Texas to Swaziland
A fun
comparison of the difference in words used in Texas (and most of the US)
compared to the ones used here in Swaziland. I’ve found that many of these come
from the British or South African influence but some terms are found only in Swaziland.
Our
CVS’ are their Clicks
Our
HEBs are their Spars
Our
liquor stores are their bottle stores
Our
gas is their petrol
Our
motorcycles are their motorbikes
Our
restrooms are their toilets
Our
chewing gum are their chappies
Our
pills are their tablets
Our
French fries are their chips
Our
ketchup is their tomato sauce
Our
chips are their potato chips
Our
cookies are their biscuits
Our cell
phone’s minutes are their cell phone’s airtime
Our
text is their SMS
Our
minivans are their kombis
Our
fireworks are their crickets
Our
beef jerky is their biltong
Our
tennis shoes are their sneakers
Our
pants are their trousers
Our
last name is their surname
Our
“would you like a ride?” is their “would you like a lift?”
Our
‘wait in a line’ is their ‘queue’
Our BBQ
bit is their Braai pit (pronounced Bry as in Bryan)
When
finished at a restaurant in Swaziland, you ask for the bill not the check. And
you receive this from the waitron, not waiter or waitress.
When
someone is asking to borrow something from you they say something like this,
“Busi, please borrow me a pen?”
In
speech, pronouns of he and she are often said for the other, making for some
very confusing and funny misunderstandings.
We
are fortunate enough to have our own kombi supplied by AIM. I never thought I
would get the opportunity to experience the last difference but since we do
almost all of our own driving here, driving
is done the left side of the road not the right. It’s a difference that I
have to remind myself of each time I pull out onto the road.
HA ha! I’m so glad you mentioned the whole “he/she” thing! HILARIOUS! I still can’t comprehend how their syntax doesn’t demand a clarification of male/female…but I’m fascinated by it LOL. Keep these coming!
I, too, think the he/she thing is nuts! I’d love to hear some of your mix-up stories sometime 🙂 I would also be scared to ride with you if you have to remind yourself about the roads everytime… 😉
Love you and miss you!!!
Katie,
Those are some good ones! I’m glad you’re taking some time to have fun in Swazi, too!
I miss you!
Erin