Comments on: Angaston, South Australia: What language are these people speaking?

By: Jim and Jamie

Jim and Jamie — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 23:47:51 +0000

In reply to Cathy Sosa. Jamaican patois is simple compared to Strine, Cathy..

By: Cathy Sosa

Cathy Sosa — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 15:16:51 +0000

One day when I visit, I will be able to speak like a native.

By: Jim & Jamie

Jim & Jamie — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 06:22:40 +0000

Jenn works for our Aussie friend Hamish in San Luis Obispo. He tells the story of trying to order a hamburger at a drive-through restaurant soon after he arrived in the United States. He kept saying, “I want an ahm-buh-guh” and the woman’s voice coming through the speaker kept saying, “I can’t understand you.” They went back and forth a few times with Hamish getting increasingly exasperated and saying, “Ahm-buh-guh, ahm-buh-guh” louder and louder. He finally gave up, parked his car, went inside and explained what he wanted.

At least that’s the way I remember the story. He may remember it differently, but I’m not one to let details get in the way of a good story.

By: Jim & Jamie

Jim & Jamie — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 06:09:41 +0000

I did the same thing on my first trip here in 1970. A very nice couple gave me a ride for 400 miles across the outback and bought me dinner that night. When we were done the man asked if I’d had enough to eat. I said, “I’m stuffed.” He looked at me in horror and said, “That’s an interesting expression you have there, mate.” Then he told me what it meant in Strine. Luckily, we were all able to laugh about it.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:48:02 +0000

Ian and I learned what “stuffed” meant the hard way…we just finished dinner and I commented that I was “stuffed”. A nice couple overheard me, leaned over and told me what I just said…oops!