Thanks to MandyP for submitting this post!! How we speak, what we say and why we are different! If anyone else can think of other Southafricanisms please comment and let SA Rocks know!
A language of our own…
Not only does our sunny SA have the some of the world’s best weather, sweets, and from the news this morning 29 consecutive periods of economic growth, but also a 12th unofficial language.
Yes, our Southafricanisms are misunderstood all over the world, and having lived in the UK for a period of time, I have encountered the looks of confusion when I have replied to a question with one of our unique South African expressions:
Howzit? This greeting, which is similar to that of the “hiya” of the English folk, is one of South Africans best inventions! On greeting a fellow saffer with ‘howzit’ you are more than likely to get a ‘howzit’ in reply, or at the very least another appropriate one word answer (cool, lekker, fine…etc.) But the real beauty of this word is that it encompasses a whole range of questions, and invites the receiver of the greeting to either pass by with a ‘howzit’ in return or give you their life story.
Just Now! One of my absolute favourites, particularly because it is just so South African! ‘Just now’ is a wonderful concept, and while when said amongst South Africans the meaning is understood, saying it to a foreigner will confuse the crap out of them! They have no concept of ‘just now’, what is this ‘just now’ nonsense, you are either going to do it now or later? Saying ‘just now’ to my work colleagues used to drive them nuts. I love it.
Now now! Just now’s little bro. This phrase is a little more time sensitive, but equally as misunderstood by the world over.
Ja, well, no, fine! There are no words to explain this one. A lot us use it and it defies logic in so many ways.
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April 4th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I think “Howzit” is a bit like “Kief”. And it’s not as prolific as it used to be. “Rock up” and “pitch up” seem to be a lot more pervasive than “Howzit”. I probably say “Just now”, but I am pretty sure I never say “Howzit”.
April 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I think that that “Kief” can be and is often used a response to “Howzit”. I use both fairly often. I also use Rock Up often and Just now is a biggie. I also say “goodie” “It’s a goodie” and “bru” or “boet” alot!!
Thanks for your comment Tania!
April 4th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Here are some more Southafricanisms perceived by a cool Japanese lady who lived here for 3 years (katakana in parentheses):
Cheers ： bye
Packett (パケッ): Plastic bag
Jersey (ジャージィ−): Sweater
Lekker (ラッカ): Good, really good
Bakkie (バッキー): Pick up truck
Takkies (タッキー): Sneaker
Braai (ブラーイ): Barbeque
Stiffy (スティッフィー): Floppy Disc
Robot (ロボット): Traffic light
Shoh!! (シュッ！) and Eish! (エイシュッ！): Statement of shock or surprise
Yes!! (イエッス！) : whats up?
Oh, Ok (オー、オーケー) : Ok, I understand
Shame (シェーム): That’s cute/I am sorry to hear that/Poor fellow
Must I? (マスト アイ) e.g. Must I talk to him?: Am I supposed to? Do you reckon I should?
Straight from these two articles:
http://jozi.exblog.jp/6490711/
http://jozi.exblog.jp/6530887/
April 4th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Wow, thats awesome!! Thanks Shodan!!!
April 6th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Oh I use kiff and bru all the time, ditto just now
The words I miss being able to use & be understood are skinder (yes, gossip is a literal translation, but having a good skinder is not nearly as malicious as gossiping somehow!); cadenza (as in “my mom had a cadenza when I brought him home”) and bevok (as a modifier for almost anything!!). I have also found that whereas South Africans use divine to describe anything fabulous, other people still confine themselves to using this word when talking about religious subjects – my colleagues always tease me when I say something was deeeevine 
April 8th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Sorry — this somehow got attached to the wrong post!
Some other common South African expressions, and peculiar to South Africa.
late – as in “he’s late”, namely dead, defunct,, popped his clogs.
next of next week
and, of course,
Eish!
June 1st, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Have you seen how many SA’s there are outside of SA spreading the language – see the map at http://www.whereintheworldareyou.co.za/ – its incredible how many.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:57 am
hie all,
Eish ja hey, must be one one my favourite statements which for the life of me I cant explain. All I know is that I use it a lot and it has to be in a certain context that its most effective. This is a challenge to all South Africans to explain that one. The other I should not forget too is “neh” and the beauty of this one is it can be a question or used at the end of a statement to emphasize a point.
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