by Josh Hardcastle
Studying abroad in an English-speaking country has been quite different than my last study abroad experience. In Guatemala, a simple conversation could have taken 30 minutes and might have consisted of a three-language (English to Spanish to Ixil) translation. Conversing in Namibia has been quicker.
While speaking to Namibians has been easier, our group has noticed several phrases here that are much different than what we would find in the United States.
In case you ever decide to travel to this beautiful country, Brandy Dangelmayr, Samantha Alvis and I have composed the following list of Namibian phrases and their U.S. counterparts so that you may have an even easier time conversing than we did.
Food
Chips = French fries
Braii = Barbecue
Coke light = Diet Coke
Spur’s = Chili’s
Wimpy = Denny’s
Pick ‘n’ Pay/Spar = HEB
Crackers = Cookies
Youngberry = Blackberry
Transportation
Land Rover = Jeep
Robots = Stoplights
Petro = Gasoline
Engen = Exxon
Housing
Hostel = Dormitory
Toilets = Restroom
Communication
SMS = Text message
High Five = Match.com
Education
To sit for an exam = To take an exam
Learner = K-12 student
Student = College student
Diploma = Technical degree
Degree = Bachelor’s degree
Occupations
Farmer = Rancher
Time
8:00 a.m. = 8:30 a.m.
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