Post by El Sid on Mar 28, 2003 5:26:04 GMT -5
Just to fill you in, in SA there are 3 mainstream languages other than the host of indiginous African languages. First there is standard English which is the real English with the correct grammar and pronounciation and so on. Secondly there is Afrikaans. Afrikaans, which is a derivative of Dutch, Flemish and so on. Thirdly there is non-standard English. This is a language consisting of many Anglised Afrikaans, and vice versa, words and expressions.
This story goes about the third language. The South African derivative of English.
But first:
A car has 4 wheels. Therefore 4 tyres (tires for the US folks hehehe)
In Afrikaans a tyre is a "band", prounounced "bundt". Now when "bundt" is to be used in the said derivative of English it is pronounced "band" as in rubber-band. But mostly a "band" is just called a tyre, as in English.
OK, the story:
This farmer-type has a flat tyre and parks next to the road. Then, to his surprise, he finds that he has no spare wheel. So there he sits. Very forlornly he stares at the Toyota Hi-Lux Pick-up with the rear end on the jack.
A short while later a black Bentley with British Consular number plates pulls up next to our seemingly desperate friend. As the Bentley gently glides to a standstill, the rear window winds down and a guy, with bowler hat and all, speaks out: "Good day, old chap. How may I be of assistance ?" in very much a "potato in the mouth" sort of voice.
So our farmer friend says: "Hey man, thank you lord, have you gotta band for me ?"
Mr. Ambassador frowns and says "You want a WHAT ?
"Only one band, lord"
"No I am sorry, I do not understand you." says the English gentleman. "Is there no-one here that speaks proper English ?"
"No lord. Man, I don't know what is English for Tyre"
This story goes about the third language. The South African derivative of English.
But first:
A car has 4 wheels. Therefore 4 tyres (tires for the US folks hehehe)
In Afrikaans a tyre is a "band", prounounced "bundt". Now when "bundt" is to be used in the said derivative of English it is pronounced "band" as in rubber-band. But mostly a "band" is just called a tyre, as in English.
OK, the story:
This farmer-type has a flat tyre and parks next to the road. Then, to his surprise, he finds that he has no spare wheel. So there he sits. Very forlornly he stares at the Toyota Hi-Lux Pick-up with the rear end on the jack.
A short while later a black Bentley with British Consular number plates pulls up next to our seemingly desperate friend. As the Bentley gently glides to a standstill, the rear window winds down and a guy, with bowler hat and all, speaks out: "Good day, old chap. How may I be of assistance ?" in very much a "potato in the mouth" sort of voice.
So our farmer friend says: "Hey man, thank you lord, have you gotta band for me ?"
Mr. Ambassador frowns and says "You want a WHAT ?
"Only one band, lord"
"No I am sorry, I do not understand you." says the English gentleman. "Is there no-one here that speaks proper English ?"
"No lord. Man, I don't know what is English for Tyre"