You say ‘bum a fag’ I say ‘have a cigarette‘-- lost in translation & struggling with Irish English
Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 at 05:06 AM
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| Tessa |
“Sorry?”
“Sugar,” I repeated, but my cashier's face was still blank. I fumbled for something eloquent and settled on, “You know. Um. Sugar?”
That seemed to do the trick. His expression clearing, he directed me to the appropriate aisle. I was just about to turn away when, slyly, as if he'd caught me out, he asked, “You're from the States, aren't you, love?”
I nodded. No point dissembling; American travelers are somehow visible from miles away. I don't even have to open my mouth sometimes before people around me know. Maybe we have an aura, or a scent, or something? (One local woman laughed at my confusion and answered, “You just look American!” Not that that helps.)
Fortunately, I don't think anyone cares that I'm foreign; I've been welcomed to Cork, Ireland – my home for the next three months! – as if I'm family. I've experienced any number of small kindnesses already, if you can believe it. A tour bus made a detour to let me hop off in the direction of my apartment, a couple of museums have given me random discounts, and a few strangers have offered me their cell (excuse me, “mobile”) numbers, in case I have any major problems while away from home. (It's Colorado, if you were wondering. Most people here ask for the specificity.)
It's magical. It's as if, despite any troubles the Irish have understanding you, they're already sure you're going to be great friends.
Still, the communication barrier's rough. My sugar incident is one of dozens – and words don't quite match up either! A line is a “queue;” sweaters are “jumpers” and pants are “trousers;” a “bap” is a bun while a “biscuit” is a cookie; someone asking to “bum a fag” really just wants a cigarette (!); and they get even stranger. One girl at a local Tesco's (a grocery store) asked me if she could borrow a “biro” twice before she took a look at my blank face and amended it to “pen.” (What?)
I'm picking up bits and pieces, though. I can tell you decisively that my favorite new word is the local expression “craic” – and yes, it is pronounced “crack,” and used in phrases like “so, where is the craic tonight?” Which, to a visitor from the States, can be downright alarming.
Its meaning: fun.
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Sparklet | Oct 07, 2011, 12:26 PM EDT
Half or more of the words used there are English English, so don't blame the Irish for getting them 'wrong'.
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carrickcourt | Oct 07, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT
Amazing not all English speakers in the world use "American" English words! One must adjust to different words used by other English speakers in the world. I think Tess will find the Corker Irish accent different then folks in say the Dublin area. By the way the word cookie is from Dutch for small cake, so biscuits is really more "English".
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antoman | Oct 07, 2011, 11:39 AM EDT
"Your hair is on fire". "Sorry?" "Your hair is on fire". "Sorry?" "I said your hair is on fire love". "Sorry?" "Nevermind".
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ellenfromcork | Oct 07, 2011, 11:26 AM EDT
Please, please tell us what the word for sugar is in Cork?!
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Murph46 | Oct 07, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT
Fire out of your jaw-now there is a phrase I can hang my hat on!
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ellenred | Oct 07, 2011, 10:59 AM EDT
I really liked leaning diferent phrases on my 3 visits to Irland. I'm on holiday, not vacation. The language is IRISH, not Gaelic. And God bless the full Irish in the morning.
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Shmrck5S | Oct 07, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT
So what word was the merchant looking for if it wasn't "sugar"? Just curious.
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antoman | Oct 07, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT
If, while in the pub yer man that's giving you free beer says "I must go for a slash", he is not going to cut his neck or the tires of a car. He is going outside to urinate in the street. Women do it too, usually between two parked cars but I'm not familiar with the expression they use. Anyway, I'm sure you will master the art yourself in no time. Welcome to Cork.
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BrendanDunphy | Oct 07, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT
Enjoy your time over there in Ireland. Whatever you do, don't say you're "Irish". The Irish get really offended when an Irish-American says that. As if we're meant to be taken literally!!! It is an American cultural thing (i.e., an Italian-American is Italian, etc.) that simply does not translate well over there!
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Invercolpa | Oct 07, 2011, 09:15 AM EDT
To Fightin69th, you need to get your mind out of the gutter!! If your Mam heard you talk like that she'd take fire out of your jaw. Let's try to keep an acceptable level of decency and respect for ourselves. Don't be a loser all your life.
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JamesDempsey | Oct 07, 2011, 08:29 AM EDT
I can spot Americans a mile away I thinks its to do with the style of dress and even the features american faces have because of the mix of different european gene pools.
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