Living in London, there isn’t much of a language barrier. The variety of accents that I hear on a day to day basis is definitely wide, and occasionally there are a few words or phrases that need to be repeated but as you would imagine, I haven’t had much trouble with language. I remember when I used to be on co-op here in London, my boss had a heavy cockney accent and I would always have to apologize and ask her to repeat something that eventually she just settled for “I’ll just email you”.
I thought it might be fun however to give you some slang words I’ve picked up while traveling abroad on my various global experience programs in Australia, London, and South Africa (And yes, I actually have inevitably incorporated most of these into my day to day vocabulary):
Ceebs (Australia) – Noun – “cant be bothered. I ceebs going all the way to the grocery store just because I want a candy bar”
Mozzie (Australia) – Noun – Mosquito
Arvo (Australia) – Noun – Afternoon
Knackered (UK) – adjective – tired. I’m absolutely knackered after spending all day walking round town
Bird (UK but I think more northern UK) – Noun – Girlfriend. Are you and your bird coming over tonight?
Gutted (UK) – adjective – Disappointed, devastated. I’m gutted she can’t make it to my party.
Jol (South Africa) – Noun – A party, a good time. Saturday night, let’s have a jol.
Lekker (South Africa) – Noun – Good. This meal is lekker. The weather today is lekker. Etc.
You alright? (UK)/Howzit? (South Africa) – “How are you? Hows your day?”
Mate (All of the above) – Noun – Friend, buddy, etc.
Molo unjani? (South Africa) – “hello, how are you?” from the isiXhosa language
