Sunday 18 June 2017

OF DIALECTS

Of the 7.5 billion people in the world, a whooping 1.5 billion,about 20% are English  speakers. In Africa ,according to  a survey by the  World  linguistic agency. Ugandans  are the best  speakers followed by natives of Zambia, South Africa  and Kenya in that order.West Africans have this pidgin accents that cost them a place even though  they are equally  well versed and proud english  speakers. 

Globally however, english  seems to be split between American english, native British and Australian english which scores somewhere in between. Of all the three there is something about American english that stands out.Majorly ,this is as a result  of how bold,street and open  it sounds as compared to other forms. Some of it's  traits form the basis of our interaction today. 

As stated , American english comes out as open, bold and pompous in initial trajectory as compared  to the British accent.Which would sound reserved, laid-back and altogether conservative. Also ,while American english is a mouthful, the British accent  is more nasal and raw in voice  projection.
You listen to both of these groups  speak and you immediately notice a big difference in sound and even overall pronunciation of the  letters.Most noticeable are the letters t and d.

 While the Americans will put some stress on letter t to the point of it sounding like a d. The British counterparts come out low key  to the  point  of appearing to not pronounce engulfing the sound within the strong accent. Case in point  is the pronunciation of the  words part of,water, what about ,but etc. The Americans will almost  replace a d sound for the  t. 

Below in point  form are other distinguished and popular  phrases  common in American english. 
  • When Americans speak, notice them use exaggeration quite figuratively. They will  always say something like "this was the best/worst thing that ever happened  to me" !!! in an exclamatory tone
  • Notice that the intonation  in speech and especially when questioning  is a rising one. Making  the language  appear loud and emotional. 
  • When trying to express something or flow of events. The use of 'like' is quite common.For example, " I seeing them coming and am like.... ",then she goes like...
  • "Really," "like seriously " are also asked to feedback  on a surprising, comical, or not so pleasant information that has been relayed. 
  • Instead  of saying  yes as a positive acknowledgement notice the conditioned use of "pretty much". 
  • The abbreviated forms,OMG, LOL are used  in texting. 
  • "Oh men"!,"no way"! are equally  used to  express surprise or disgust
  • To hang up on someone  to mean to not pick up their calls. 
  • "Me and him don't  see eye to eye" - don't  relate well
  • Property is a term used usually to mean compound,homestead et cetera,like in "get out of my property".
  • If someone or something pisses one off it means it's annoying or irritating.
  • They talk of in the  neighborhood,in the community,to mean in the surroundings. 
  • To do time/incaceration - to spend time  behind bars.
  • Sir - Referring to  a boss, respectable  man or male cop.
  • Madam pronounced "maam "- Woman in a position of of authority,lady cop etc
  • To pull over - park
  • See what one has to say or see what  is in their heads.
  • Imma/im gonna - I will
  • To begin to  get disrespectful - of a kid who acts hard headed in the  presence of an authority .
  • Notice the use of we was, they was instead of we were, there were.
  • You don't need to know a person much to call them brother,bruh,my guy etc. 
  • I  wanna - I want to
  • "It's kinda  like "- it's almost  like 
  • Honestly..... Technically... ..,Basically..... - will begin most statements 
  • To get picked on - be looked down upon expressed usually first verbally 
Equally  hear the exclusive  and common  use of the following words and  phrases in America based English  language.On parole,child support, background checks,commit a felony,a pay cheque,the commissary,DUI,a ticket,emotional  rollercoaster.But you know what!,law enforcement,call security on someone,pick on someone.Gang related,foster care,homicide,an altercation,reality check,the state penetentiary,real quick!,then one thing led to another.....And the usual  "bombs" that everyone hears around,used to express disgust,though the writer chose to bypass.

Feel free to  add in the comments box any other words and phrases synonymous with this dialect.(you know what I'm saying)



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