Not long ago I was recruited to a localization company called Wordbank. They said that they took interest in me due to my linguistics degree and foreign experience. My first thought, "Wow, my linguistics degree wasn't a big waste of time." In my naivete, I believed that they valued my knowledge for the contribution I could make on various international projects. In reality, it had nothing to do with our processes. They knew that it would take all of my ability to just comprehend my British counterparts in the office. Here is a sample conversation:
me: (walking in first thing in the morning) Good morning, Simon.
Simon: (in a thick accent--think Eliza Doolittle before the refinement) Hey, Darron. How're you doing? You a'right?
me: Alright. How are you?
Simon: Not too bad. Not too bad. (always repeated twice)
Suddenly Simon looks up from his computer screen.
Simon: Are you okay, you look knackered.
me: What? Sorry I was kind of spacing out.
Simon: Had a bit of a late one with the biffer, did you? Up all night changing nappies?
me: No, it's just so cold out there that I think my brain is frozen.
Simon: Ya, It's not exactly cozzie weather, is it? You've got a jumper on, have you?
me: No, I forgot all of my warm clothes in my other car.
Simon: You're takin' a piss!
me: Yes, yes I am.
If you want to have a better chance of understanding this little convo, check out the glossary below:
| Brito-Yank Glossary | |
| knackered | tired |
| biffer | fatty (what Simon likes to call my baby) |
| nappies | diapers |
| cozzie | swim suit |
| jumper | sweatshirt |
| You're takin' a piss! | You're kidding! |
3 comments:
I HAD IT ALL FIGURED OUT, EXCEPT THE "TAKING A PISS", I THOUGHT MAYBE SIMON'S COMPUTER WAS IN THE MEN'S ROOM...haha
Ya, that's a weird one. They'll also say, "Taking the mick" or "Taking the mickey." Crazy people.
Sounds like it has been quite an adjustment to work with the Brits. Good thing you do have that degree in linguistics, right? It makes you understand everything they say!
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