22 April 2010

Luganglish

in commemoration of one year as a pcv, here is:
Luganglish Dictionary Part One
(feel free to change/dispute/add on)

Nothing to do:
Kind of like, "That's life" , "What can I do about it?"

You've been lost:
Where've you been!

Well be back:
Welcome back

Safe journey: Said whenever anyone leaves home and goes farther than the nearest trading center

Things aren't easy:
Kind of like, "life's tough these days." Except "these days" translates to everyday. Said a lot by women in reference to anything

Now now: Right now. "I'm leaving now now"

Feel free:
Said to welcome a guest/students to make them feel more comfortable

It's disturbing me: Anything that irritates. "The dust is disturbing me" , "these shoes are disturbing me", "those kids are disturbing me"

Ever: Always. "She is ever late"

They're not serious:
When people are misbehaving or not really doing their job/school work

Get serious: expressing disbelief or surprise

Well done: Good job. Said to anyone doing anything

You are most welcome: Welcome. Said by everyone to everyone all the time.

Thank you for the work: Said whenever you see anyone doing anything. Its polite to say thank you for whatever they are doing.

Extend: Move over. Like on a taxi, when the men don't scoot over when I get in the front row of the taxi and we squish four to three seats. I say, "you extend."

Reduce: To lose weight, to lower a window

You first wait:
Wait.

2 comments:

  1. Celeste!!!
    I am so excited!
    for two reasons~
    it has been a year!! gosh.
    and to learn by lowering a window
    i can lose weight~ ; -)
    hope you are not in a cafe...
    with people watching you,
    wondering why you are laughing
    at your computer~~~~
    The Luganglish lesson is great!
    Do you realize you have already
    adopted some of these phrases yourself?
    Sometimes when we are speaking
    on the phone
    you say something not quite 'english',
    but before i can ask what you meant,
    we are on another subject de jour.
    i will print out this list
    and keep it next to the phone!
    my very own cheat sheet!
    i will be so smart, oh,
    i mean clever.
    stopping! now now.

    To think mija of all
    you have seen, learned, taught, shared...
    with your Ugandan brothers and sisters
    this past year!
    and so begins the second half
    of your endeavor to reach, and step out
    just a little further~
    continue to ever carry Joy!
    it can't help but spark
    one to 'feel free'
    con carino, you are good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. mama! i love it when you write on my blog.
    and well done matre, you've caught the gist of the language.

    :)

    ReplyDelete