SA: Where Now Means Later

I've noticed South Africans have a knack for making up their own unique definitions of English words and phrases.

To put it another way: they take common English words, toss out their traditional meaning, and invent an entirely new way of interpreting them.

This makes life very confusing for everyone not holding an SA passport. It's a linguistic minefield.

The first, and most obvious, of this phenomena has already been discussed here in regards to the phrase "just now". In a previous post, I explained how in SA this phrase can mean '5 minutes', 'an hour', or even 'later on in the day' -- even though in the rest of the English speaking world, "just now" means exactly one thing: this. very. minute.

Here are some more examples of how locals have managed to reinterpret the English language. Saying them out loud helps to drive home their oddity:


1. "Is it" or "Was it" to mean "Really!"


This never fails to throw me. I'm assuming it's a shortened version of "is it, really?!"... but with this country, you never really know... Examples:

          -I think we should have pizza for dinner tonight. -Is it?
          -It cost over 50 rand for that beer! -Is it?
          -I didn't get chosen for the internship. -Is it?


2. Crepes are called "Pancakes". 

    Pancakes are called "Flapjacks". 

This had made for some very confusing breakfast ordering whilst at restaurants. 

3. "Must" in place of "Should" 

To my Canadian ears, this always comes across as sounding much more urgent than necessary. We tend to only use the word "must" to express firm, decisive action. So when I hear it used in place of "should", it's tough for me not to react with a melodramatic "Oh! Yes! You must!!" haha.

          -Must I go get your jacket?
          -Must I move this chair to the patio?

4. "Best" to mean "Favorite". 

    "Worst" to mean "Least Favorite".

     

          -The movie Gladiator is my best
          -My worst are the green jelly beans

5. "Now now" to mean "Right Now"

          -I'll make the bed now now

          -We'll leave now now

.... Actually, "now now" could also mean "in the next 15 minutes". Come to think of it, I've also heard it spoken in the context of meaning "later on". Frig. So really, "now now" and "just now" are about as equally as confusing when discussing timelines. 

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These language modifications may be slight, but they still cause a lot of confusion. They act like conversational speed bumps for the non-South African, making your brain pause momentarily while you try and work out why that person just misused a perfectly good word.

It can be tough to follow conversations when you're not privy (or still adapting) to how these words and their meanings have been changed. 

In actuality, it's fascinating to me that South Africans have modified English words instead of simply borrowing from the other languages of their country. With 11 official tongues, you'd think there would be a ton of half-and-half slang (similar to Canadian "franglais") instead of the many complete re-workings of English.