Posts Tagged with "english"

How to Talk Like a Kiwi

June 9th, 2021 at 12:05 pm by Mark
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One of the most difficult things for most people to do is to “talk like a Kiwi,” and make it sound remotely passable. New Zealand’s particular form of English is quite unique, and it’s mostly to do with their pronunciation of Vowels, but also to do with creating syllables in monosyllabic words, and dropping of syllables and consonants in others… mostly… (uttered as a sheepish afterthought, like Newt from Aliens)

For example, a soft “e” is pronounced like an American soft “i” (and, conversely, “i” becomes “e”). “O” is most often a soft “u”, with soft “u” becoming “ah.” “Y” is a hard “e,” no matter how you do it. “R” is only pronounced at the beginning of any word, and succumbs to vowels when anywhere else. And if you wanna know how to pronounce a soft “a,” just forget it. It could be anything. And then, of course, there are exceptions to everything. Throw in a few regional words, and you’re just fucked.
For example:

  • “I’m on my deck eating fish” = “Em on mee dick eatun fesh”
  • “Kia ora, mate!” = “KYOR-uh, met!”
  • “This sounds stupid.” = “Thess SEE-owns fect.”
  • “Where is your restroom?” = “Whiz yah bog?” pronounced “bahg”
  • “I can’t find it” = “Uh cunt.”
  • “Yes” = “Uhh yeh, nah, yeh”

Keep practicing. Once you sound like a complete idiot with a speech impediment, you’re halfway there. Check out this video for more tips.

Manager Special at the Asian Store

November 11th, 2016 at 10:38 am by Mike
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As is often the case with Engrish, it’s difficult to determine if they mean, “MAJESTIC ass biscuit” or “majestic ASS biscuit.”

It's not just any biscuit.  It's ... Majestic Ass Biscuit $4.99

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Another Reason Why Germans Don’t Play Scrabble

February 13th, 2015 at 5:40 pm by Mark
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Because four words, “floor sanding machine rental” was just too damned easy.

Why Germans Don't Play Scrabble: FUSSBODENSCHLEIFMACHINENVERLEIH - Floor Sanding Machine Rental. The perfect do-it-yourself system to renovate old wood floors.

Why Germans Don’t Play Scrabble

February 7th, 2015 at 5:49 pm by Mark
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Because, “Elevator Usage Instructions” was just too damned easy.

Fahrtreppenbenutzungshinweise: Bei gefhar ziehen. Missbrauch wird bestraft!  Translation: Escalator use instructions: "Pull in case of danger. Abuse will be punished!"

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Bad Tattoo #568

March 11th, 2014 at 7:09 pm by Mark
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I’ve been loathe to post this, given that some woman on Pinterest snidely chastised me with, “Who are YOU to decide it’s a bad tattoo?” I decided to go ahead, since I’m pretty sure everyone else but her will agree…

Bad Tattoo: "Never Don't Give Up."