Wednesday, January 27, 2016

American English vs. Irish English

Living with one girl from Ireland and another from Northern Ireland, I experience my fair share of misunderstandings.  Possibly even more so than when I speak Spanish.  So I started making a list of things that I say versus things that my flatmates say.  (Take into account that some things may only apply to Ireland and not Northern Ireland and vice versa.)

American/ Irish

ladybug/ladybird

children/waines

romper/play suit

sweater/jumper

cilantro/coriander

eggplant/aubergine

girl/girleen

guys/lads

What's up?/ What's the craic?

drunk/ pissed, full, mangled

gross/mingin, mank

little/wee

y'all/yous, yees

no/naw

yes/aye

tennis shoes/ trainers

sweatpants/trackies

flats/pumps 
(you can see this one would cause a lot of confusion)

cafeteria/ canteen

fries/chips

chips/crisps

grocery cart/ trolley

schedule/ timetable

braid/ plait

shrimp/ prawns

gas/ petrol

gnats/ midgies

arugula/ rocket

making out/ snugging

How old are you?/ What age are you?

In respond to "How are you?"
Good/ Grand






That's all I can think of for now, but there are still four and a half months left so I might just have to make a part 2.




No comments:

Post a Comment