Ghanaisms: A Dictionary
A note: Not ordered in any particular way
"Are you strong?"
Another way of asking how you are doing. This is a common question from hearing people who don't know sign towards the deaf community because it's easier to mime "strong" than "fine."
"I am going."
Ghanaians always announce when they are leaving, since it's considered rude to just leave without saying anything. Definitely something I have had to get used to being here, as I am a lover of the "Irish Goodbye"
"Small time!"
A way of saying goodbye without using goodbye because goodbye is seen as forever. Small time means you will see each other again in a short while. Orrrr it's a way to dip out of a conversation you're not enjoying (e.g., "Well it looks like I'm late for xyz. Small time!")
"You are invited."
Said when you are served food as a polite gesture. The 5 seconds between when you offer your food to someone and when they answer is a stressful one as a PCV, as you already have so little food to begin with and now you might have to give some away?? Thankfully, most people say no.
"Small small"
Everything is small small here. "I know Waale small small." "Just small small rice please." "I have travelled only small small." Or, pretty common among PCVs: "Oh, sorry, my money is just small small."
"I'm coming"/"On the way coming."
The Ghanaian way of saying "just a moment." Orrrr it can literally mean you are physically coming to meet another person, but in Ghana, that could be anywhere between 5 minutes from now to 5 hours.
"I'll come and go."
As said before, one has to announce that they are leaving in Ghana. But this one has an added twist-- if you are planning to come back, for example, if you have to run a quick errand, you have to let the person know you will be coming back.
"We thank God."
This one is a personal favorite. When someone says they are doing well or has arrived somewhere safely, a common response is to thank God. But it's not just you thanking God-- it's everyone. That means everyone is happy you are healthy.
"I'm running!"
A handy one to know as a PCV. A nice way of admitting you have diarrhea.
"Please"
This word is added to any question to add extra urgency, and, in Ghanaian text messages, to avoid using a question mark. Often shortened to "pls." Examples: "When is he coming please", "Are you okay pls". Can also be used to illustrate frustration: "Please I don't understand"
"Spoiled"
Is your laptop not working like it should? Has your roof caved in? Is your recently purchased loaf of bread molding? It's spoiled.
"You said?"
Used to ask someone to repeat themselves, either because you weren't listening or you just haven't quite mastered hearing Ghanaian accents yet. Examples: Person A: *mumbles* Person B: "You said?"
"I beg"
Added to indicate that you're really groveling. Usually to plead that you should make the person your significant other. Example: "Add me as your boyfriend, please, I beg."
"Distin"
The Ghanaian equivalent of "thing/thingie"; morphed from "this thing."
"Ay/Ayooo"
Said in response to something surprising, either pleasantly ("Ayooo! She can greet!") or horrifingly ("Ay! Twenty cedis for a bag of rice??")
"I'm landing."
Used when you are wrapping up an argument, letting others know they can soon jump into the conversation. Example: "And that is why, I'm landing, deaf children should be sent to school."
"Sorryooo!"
The Ghanaian way of saying "sorry, but not really." Example: Person A: "Hey can you proctor this exam?" Person B: "I have a meeting I have to get to, sorryooo!"
"Are you sure?"
Used when the person you're talking to is accusing you of not being entirely truthful. Example: Person A: "White lady, give me your number. I want you to be my fiancee." Person B: "I have a boyfriend." Person A: "Are you sure?"
"God willing"
A way of saying "if all goes well." Example: "God willing, the launch of the program will be 23 March."
"You have done well!"
The common response to a PCV doing anything pleasing to the other person. Examples: "You made a sink out of a water filter? You have done well." "You drove that TZ all by yourself? You have done well."
"You have tried."
A way for Ghanaians to remind you that you're a wimpy loser. Example: *pounds fufu for 30 seconds* "You have tried" *wrests the pounding stick from your weak hands*
"They are disturbing me."
A common response to anything annoying: "He is disturbing me." "Those camel spiders are disturbing me." "Go away-- you are disturbing me."
"Are you aware?"
Well are you? Sounds like you're not in the know.
"It's finished."
The worst thing ever: when you are looking forward to eating some good Wagashie only to step up to the glass and have the cook tell you "it is finished."
"Two days"
Doesn't matter if it's actually been two days or two decades since you've seen someone-- when you see them it's always "2 days! How are you??"
"Pick"
Short for "pick up." Examples: "Let me pick you on my moto." "She didn't pick the call."
"We are managing."
Is there any other way to describe life?
"Charley/Chale!"
A way of showing approval of and excitement over something. An appropriate response to someone showing up with a new outfit or learning some new Ghanaisms. Chaleeeeeeee!!!
"Are you strong?"
Another way of asking how you are doing. This is a common question from hearing people who don't know sign towards the deaf community because it's easier to mime "strong" than "fine."
"I am going."
Ghanaians always announce when they are leaving, since it's considered rude to just leave without saying anything. Definitely something I have had to get used to being here, as I am a lover of the "Irish Goodbye"
"Small time!"
A way of saying goodbye without using goodbye because goodbye is seen as forever. Small time means you will see each other again in a short while. Orrrr it's a way to dip out of a conversation you're not enjoying (e.g., "Well it looks like I'm late for xyz. Small time!")
"You are invited."
Said when you are served food as a polite gesture. The 5 seconds between when you offer your food to someone and when they answer is a stressful one as a PCV, as you already have so little food to begin with and now you might have to give some away?? Thankfully, most people say no.
"Small small"
Everything is small small here. "I know Waale small small." "Just small small rice please." "I have travelled only small small." Or, pretty common among PCVs: "Oh, sorry, my money is just small small."
"I'm coming"/"On the way coming."
The Ghanaian way of saying "just a moment." Orrrr it can literally mean you are physically coming to meet another person, but in Ghana, that could be anywhere between 5 minutes from now to 5 hours.
"I'll come and go."
As said before, one has to announce that they are leaving in Ghana. But this one has an added twist-- if you are planning to come back, for example, if you have to run a quick errand, you have to let the person know you will be coming back.
"We thank God."
This one is a personal favorite. When someone says they are doing well or has arrived somewhere safely, a common response is to thank God. But it's not just you thanking God-- it's everyone. That means everyone is happy you are healthy.
"I'm running!"
A handy one to know as a PCV. A nice way of admitting you have diarrhea.
"Please"
This word is added to any question to add extra urgency, and, in Ghanaian text messages, to avoid using a question mark. Often shortened to "pls." Examples: "When is he coming please", "Are you okay pls". Can also be used to illustrate frustration: "Please I don't understand"
"Spoiled"
Is your laptop not working like it should? Has your roof caved in? Is your recently purchased loaf of bread molding? It's spoiled.
"You said?"
Used to ask someone to repeat themselves, either because you weren't listening or you just haven't quite mastered hearing Ghanaian accents yet. Examples: Person A: *mumbles* Person B: "You said?"
"I beg"
Added to indicate that you're really groveling. Usually to plead that you should make the person your significant other. Example: "Add me as your boyfriend, please, I beg."
"Distin"
The Ghanaian equivalent of "thing/thingie"; morphed from "this thing."
"Ay/Ayooo"
Said in response to something surprising, either pleasantly ("Ayooo! She can greet!") or horrifingly ("Ay! Twenty cedis for a bag of rice??")
"I'm landing."
Used when you are wrapping up an argument, letting others know they can soon jump into the conversation. Example: "And that is why, I'm landing, deaf children should be sent to school."
"Sorryooo!"
The Ghanaian way of saying "sorry, but not really." Example: Person A: "Hey can you proctor this exam?" Person B: "I have a meeting I have to get to, sorryooo!"
"Are you sure?"
Used when the person you're talking to is accusing you of not being entirely truthful. Example: Person A: "White lady, give me your number. I want you to be my fiancee." Person B: "I have a boyfriend." Person A: "Are you sure?"
"God willing"
A way of saying "if all goes well." Example: "God willing, the launch of the program will be 23 March."
"You have done well!"
The common response to a PCV doing anything pleasing to the other person. Examples: "You made a sink out of a water filter? You have done well." "You drove that TZ all by yourself? You have done well."
"You have tried."
A way for Ghanaians to remind you that you're a wimpy loser. Example: *pounds fufu for 30 seconds* "You have tried" *wrests the pounding stick from your weak hands*
"They are disturbing me."
A common response to anything annoying: "He is disturbing me." "Those camel spiders are disturbing me." "Go away-- you are disturbing me."
"Are you aware?"
Well are you? Sounds like you're not in the know.
"It's finished."
The worst thing ever: when you are looking forward to eating some good Wagashie only to step up to the glass and have the cook tell you "it is finished."
"Two days"
Doesn't matter if it's actually been two days or two decades since you've seen someone-- when you see them it's always "2 days! How are you??"
"Pick"
Short for "pick up." Examples: "Let me pick you on my moto." "She didn't pick the call."
"We are managing."
Is there any other way to describe life?
"Charley/Chale!"
A way of showing approval of and excitement over something. An appropriate response to someone showing up with a new outfit or learning some new Ghanaisms. Chaleeeeeeee!!!
Comments
Post a Comment