Originally Posted on the International Weblog[1]
Before I begin, sorry for missing out of posting when it was my turn last. I can put all down to Farhad working me like a donkey trying to get us to move IW outof blogger into Movable Type. The great news is that we've got an installation somewhere. The sad news is that I'm working slower than I usually do. I'm going to try to move the entries over to MT during the course of the day -- if my boss doesnt stand over my shoulder half of the time that is.
Anyway... this entry is really about the changes that have happened to my language over the past 3 years moving from Ghana to the UK. Now this is going to be a bit difficult since you guys have set the bar high with long posts. Looking at my site (dotFAF.com[2]), you'll realise I'm not really a fan of long entries... or should I say I dont believe in tesxt overload. Ok ok... I'll admit, I dont say much!
Yeah so I'll pick some words I used to use three years ago, which I probably still use but have a whole new meaning for me. And I'll include words I knew existed but never used but that I now find creeping into my language. I mostly consider myself still very Ghanaian. I try to keep my accent as intact as possible because I cant "picture" mysefl talking with a british accent.
1. Fetish --- this word only meant this to me:
Fetich \Fe"tich\, Fetish \Fe"tish\, n.[F. f['e]tiche, from Pg. feiti?o, adj., n., sorcery, charm, fr. L. facticius made by art, artifical, factitious. See Factitious.] 1. A material object supposed among certain African tribes to represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the possessor power to control that being.
--from dictionary.com[3]
Now it means exactly what you thought when you saw it for the first time. In fact I almost all but forgot the meaning it held for me three years ago untill Odobea mentioned it a while back
2. Check/Cheque
This is a funny one because Ghanai s a former British colony and we use mostly British spellings and pronunciations there. Now I moved to England, you'd expect me to stick to that right? Seems I chose ease over complication and go for pay-check, checkbook instad of the -que spelling. Now that has resulted in people cancelling my bids on eBay sometimes because the dont ship to the US. When that happens it's almost always too late because I bid at the last minute. Then I ask them something like "Can I pay by paypal instead of by a check?". I getb a response saying "Your bid has been cancelled because I dont ship outside the UK
3. -re VS -re
Another one of my American leaning. This is more out of learning html than me going for the easy option. I like going the "Tottenham Leisure Centre" but I'd rather not be the "center of attention". It's so hard keeping track of where I'm using -re and where i'm using -er. I dont have a habit of making mistakes when I'm coding html pages though.
4. "Innit?"
This will be alien to most of you but the first "funny bit of language" i heard when I stepped foot in London was "Innit?". I dont know the origin of it but it seems to be a variation of "isnt it?". Now there's me thinking, "This is just funny...and I'm gonna laugh or smirk everytime some says it". Then wherever I go there's these people asking me questions and appending it with "innit?" Or just making plain statements and going "innit?". Thank god I havetn picked that up yet.
5. Gay/Poof/Faggot or any variation of it.
I dont ever remember using those word(s) before three years ago. I might've known the meanings. Might've looked them up in a dictionary somewhere before then but because Homosexuality isnt prevalent, so to speak in Ghana, I guess I never had to use them. Things might've changed a bit since I've last been back. As for the derogatory variations of that sexual tendency... well, I could always use the F-word instead. The 4-letter one, that is.
6. School is not always = College is not always = University
Why are there so many different names for leaning? It took me half a year to call "College" college and "University" university. Previously.... everything was school. In Ghana, any form of academic institution is a school. So you could meet a 22year old and he'll tell you he's going to school. Ask a 16 year old college student in the UK if he's been to school today and they're likely to get offended. I know cos my mum keeps on asking my girlfriend if she's not going back to school even though she's in her 2nd year in University. Now I dont think she likes that very much.
7. Fat is NOT Big
"You've grown fat". I used to be able to say that without having to go down on my knees and beg for forgiveness. If I say those words to someone now, They're likely to never speak to me again. Worst case scenario, I'll get a lawsuit against me[4]. I think the main difference between the two cultures is that being "fat" in one is considered unhealthy whereas the other considers being a bit on the plump side as being "healthy". Forget all about cholestrol and all that scientific bullshit. In Ghana, it's who get's the 3 meals a day that is the rich guy. The thin people walking around are the poor people.
It's unlikely that you'll be called fat by a Ghanaian (unless you're in Ghana now), because we quickly learn what to say and what not to say. But just in case you get called fat by a Ghanaian... take it as a compliment.
Footnote: Ugly is still ugly everywhere in the word so if you get called that... please cry.
And THAT people is my 2 pesewa[5] for the day.
Author: abena
Date/Time: May 13, 2003 2:46 PM
this is too long
Eh? Is that why you don't post as regularly as you used to? Too busy blogging elsewhere and not telling anyone?
Your loyalty lies elsewhere, innit?
Language is language is language...
As long as you understand me, and I understand you and there are no misunderstandings or need for bitch-slaps, everything is A-OK!
PS- Jokes/insults about "your mother" are also universal!
Glad to have found your blog - always looking for blogs with a connection to Africa of some kind.
Hi Faf, never received a reply from you to my message re: you sounding a bit British, lol. No matter, you sound nice. Glad to see you finally posted on the International Blog. If I may do so here, I will compliment Farhad on his idea. It is great to read from people of other parts of the world. Closing the gaps...I like it. Of course, Faf, I still love your site..no " ". Keep in touch :).
i kinda enjoyed reading your take on the meanings of words,how they are spelled and how words can be misconstrued. when i visited london, i didnt like it when people said "innit" but i guess everyone is entitled to their use of language, once its understood by who its being spoken to.
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