Thursday, April 13

english spokening in doha

one of the challenges in working in a multi-cultural environment is overcoming the language barrier. Other nationalities have a peculiar way conversing in English (sabagay ang mga Pinoy ay ganun din). Ang masasabi ko lang ay mahirap magpigil ng tawa kapag maririnig mo ang mga salitang ito araw-araw:

When counting: jero, one, two, three fowar, fowayv, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Some South Asians substitute v for w:

"I will pay with Weeza" for "...Visa"
"The engine is owerheating" "for overheating"
"Ewian" bottled watter for "Evian"
"Lowe pick-up" for "LUV pick-up"
"May I have some vine?" for "wine"


Egyptians are known for substituting "b" for "p":

"He is in the barking lot"
"His name is Baul"
"What is the bassword?"


Many South Asians pronounce "a" as "e". Thus, my Tito Eddie's name is spelled as "AD."

South Asian grammar:
I am understanding it.
She is knowing the answer

You're going, isn't it?
He's here, no?
Who you have come for?
They're late always.

My all friends are waiting.

A: "You didn't come on the bus?" B: "Yes, I didn't."
Open the air conditioner
Your computer is ajar
I shall speak slower for you
Make the fan softer
Does it pain?
Your good name please?
Don't be doing such nonsense anymore
I met him five years back
I passed out in 1995 (don't worry - this means he graduated in 1995)
The TV became repair
The A/C is not cooling
Switch on the A/C
She bought a new dress for her son
I will visit the hair saloon
Today is my happy birthday
You need to learn slowly-slowly
The database needs updation
What to do?

Pero ang pinaka-paborito ko sa lahat ay ang sagot ng mga Thai kapag hindi nila alam ang sagot..."I don't sure."

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd like to add a few more:

-> Overheard: "How much cost?" "Fi-riyal." (Five riyals.)

-> advancing the timetable - "I requestfully request to prepone my annual vacation.

-> do everything necessary - "Please do the needful."

-> you spoke over the phone - "Based on our telephonic conversation."

-> closing a letter - "Thanking you,..."

-> "I said go to the joo! You not know joo?! With enimel!" joo=zoo. enimel=animal

-> Seen at a boofia (snack bar) - Sandwitch (inay ko po, mangkukulam sa disyerto!)

-> A classic - seen at a parking lot and painted across a span of 20 feet, in bold letters: NO BARKING (naks, astig ang aso dito, 'no?)

N said...

hay naku, sinabi mo pa!

just this morning, i overheard our sales rep saying "he did not came?"