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Uncategorized , Travel Tips , How to sound more Namibian , Namlish made easy , How to sound like a Namibian

How to sound more Namibian

By p432140
April 26, 2019

“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery.” – Amy Chua

Blending into the local culture while travelling out of your home country has become an integral part of the global jetsetter culture.Travelling is no longer exclusively about sightseeing, but much rather about engaging and merging into a new way of thinking.Some reckon this is what distinguishes a traveller from a tourist. Travellers who have already covered vast distances coming to Namibia might even decide to go the extra mile… or kilometre…(the metric system applies here).

Here is a list of expressions to get you started:

 

Atata

This expression is used to exclaim doubt or surprise. For even more effect, you can prolong the word, pronouncing it atatatatatata.

How to use it in a sentence:

“Swakopmund is only a 300-something-kilometre drive from Windhoek. It is not that far.”

“Atata!”

“It’s just around the corner.” (Says every Namibian yearning for the cool coastal air.)

“Atatatatata!”

 

Bakkie

This is many Namibians’ preferred mode of transport, because it allows for spontaneous off-road adventures. The Americans call it a pick-up truck.

How to use it in a sentence:

“Let’s take the bakkie for our trip to the desert.”

 

 Rights to Gondwana Collection Namibia Rights to Gondwana Collection Namibia

 

Braai

Our barbecue is famously known as a braai and is a favourite pastime amongst Namibians. Remember, it is a social occasion,never just a meal.

How to use it in a sentence:

“Let’s have a braai at my place on Saturday.”

 

Braaibroodjie

Attention: use with caution. This is a tricky one. But if you do get it right, you might have just passed the test of sounding more Namibian.

How to use it in a sentence:

“I will make braaibroodjies for the braai on Saturday.”

Important note: A braaibroodjie consists of two slices of bread filled with cheese, tomato and onion grilled on the fire. If you feel a little adventurous, add some chutney or mayo for taste. But don’t you dare add any other ingredients and call it a braaibroodjie. We call that a regular toasted sandwich.

 

 Rights to Paulina Shuuya Rights to Paulina Shuuya

 

Howzit

This is a combination of “hello” and “how are you?”. If you say it to someone, you will get a reply like, “Hi! I’m fine, how are you?”

 

Ja-nee

This expression literally translates as “yes-no” and despite the undeniable contradiction, it s often used when agreeing with someone’s statement. Confused? Ja-nee, no one said it will be easy.

How to use it in a sentence:

“It is very worrying that the rainy season is almost over, and the dams aren’t full yet.”

“Ja-nee, I can see how dry it is.”

 

“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery.” – Amy Chua  Blending into the local culture while travelling out of your home country has become an integral part of the global jetsetter culture.Travelling is no longer exclusively about sightseeing, but much rather about engaging and merging into a new way of thinking.Some reckon this is what distinguishes a traveller from a tourist. Travellers who have already covered vast distances coming to Namibia might even decide to go the extra mile… or kilometre…(the metric system applies here).  Here is a list of expressions to get you started:     Atata  This expression is used to exclaim doubt or surprise. For even more effect, you can prolong the word, pronouncing it atatatatatata.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Swakopmund is only a 300-something-kilometre drive from Windhoek. It is not that far.”  “Atata!”  “It’s just around the corner.” (Says every Namibian yearning for the cool coastal air.)  “Atatatatata!”     Bakkie  This is many Namibians’ preferred mode of transport, because it allows for spontaneous off-road adventures. The Americans call it a pick-up truck.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Let’s take the bakkie for our trip to the desert.”      Rights to Gondwana Collection Namibia     Braai  Our barbecue is famously known as a braai and is a favourite pastime amongst Namibians. Remember, it is a social occasion,never just a meal.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Let’s have a braai at my place on Saturday.”     Braaibroodjie  Attention: use with caution. This is a tricky one. But if you do get it right, you might have just passed the test of sounding more Namibian.  How to use it in a sentence:  “I will make braaibroodjies for the braai on Saturday.”  Important note: A braaibroodjie consists of two slices of bread filled with cheese, tomato and onion grilled on the fire. If you feel a little adventurous, add some chutney or mayo for taste. But don’t you dare add any other ingredients and call it a braaibroodjie. We call that a regular toasted sandwich.      Rights to Paulina Shuuya     Howzit  This is a combination of “hello” and “how are you?”. If you say it to someone, you will get a reply like, “Hi! I’m fine, how are you?”     Ja-nee  This expression literally translates as “yes-no” and despite the undeniable contradiction, it s often used when agreeing with someone’s statement. Confused? Ja-nee, no one said it will be easy.  How to use it in a sentence:  “It is very worrying that the rainy season is almost over, and the dams aren’t full yet.”  “Ja-nee, I can see how dry it is.”      Rights to Ron Swilling Rights to Ron Swilling

 

/Na!

This would be your response to the question “howzit?” and it means good, well or even nice. The slash indicates the special pronunciation of this word, requiring a clicking sound. How to pronounce it: N – click – aa. Try not to isolate the click-sound, but make it flow. The best is to practise it out loud… with the risk of sounding like a weirdo. But we won’t ask questions.

How to use it in a sentence:

“How was your holiday?”

“It was /na!”

OR

“I will phone you later.”

“/Na!”

 

Sies

This expression is used to express disgust.

How to use it in a sentence:

“Sies, your bakkie is dirty. You should wash it.”

 

“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery.” – Amy Chua  Blending into the local culture while travelling out of your home country has become an integral part of the global jetsetter culture.Travelling is no longer exclusively about sightseeing, but much rather about engaging and merging into a new way of thinking.Some reckon this is what distinguishes a traveller from a tourist. Travellers who have already covered vast distances coming to Namibia might even decide to go the extra mile… or kilometre…(the metric system applies here).  Here is a list of expressions to get you started:     Atata  This expression is used to exclaim doubt or surprise. For even more effect, you can prolong the word, pronouncing it atatatatatata.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Swakopmund is only a 300-something-kilometre drive from Windhoek. It is not that far.”  “Atata!”  “It’s just around the corner.” (Says every Namibian yearning for the cool coastal air.)  “Atatatatata!”     Bakkie  This is many Namibians’ preferred mode of transport, because it allows for spontaneous off-road adventures. The Americans call it a pick-up truck.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Let’s take the bakkie for our trip to the desert.”      Rights to Gondwana Collection Namibia     Braai  Our barbecue is famously known as a braai and is a favourite pastime amongst Namibians. Remember, it is a social occasion,never just a meal.  How to use it in a sentence:  “Let’s have a braai at my place on Saturday.”     Braaibroodjie  Attention: use with caution. This is a tricky one. But if you do get it right, you might have just passed the test of sounding more Namibian.  How to use it in a sentence:  “I will make braaibroodjies for the braai on Saturday.”  Important note: A braaibroodjie consists of two slices of bread filled with cheese, tomato and onion grilled on the fire. If you feel a little adventurous, add some chutney or mayo for taste. But don’t you dare add any other ingredients and call it a braaibroodjie. We call that a regular toasted sandwich.      Rights to Paulina Shuuya     Howzit  This is a combination of “hello” and “how are you?”. If you say it to someone, you will get a reply like, “Hi! I’m fine, how are you?”     Ja-nee  This expression literally translates as “yes-no” and despite the undeniable contradiction, it s often used when agreeing with someone’s statement. Confused? Ja-nee, no one said it will be easy.  How to use it in a sentence:  “It is very worrying that the rainy season is almost over, and the dams aren’t full yet.”  “Ja-nee, I can see how dry it is.”      Rights to Ron Swilling Rights to Ron Swilling

 

Siestog

Add “tog” after “sies” and it completely changes meaning. This expression is used to express compassion or pity.

How to use it in a sentence:

“The elephant cow is very protective of her baby.”

“Siestog!”

Disclaimer: If you don’t sound Namibian after reading  this article,keep practising! For best results, ask any Namibian about the correct pronunciation. And remember that speaking a language with a foreign accent is a sign of bravery.

 

 Rights to Judy & Scott Hurd Rights to Judy & Scott Hurd

 

Congratulations! You have just taken the first step to sounding more Namibian. How many of these expressions do you use? Which other expressions can you add to the list?

 

Annelien Robberts is an avid wordsmith who turns her pen to all things travel, culture, and lifestyle. She was born in a small town called Otjiwarongo and grew up on a farm nearby. Creativity, nature and animals make her happy.

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