Friday, April 17, 2009

Saipan Words and Phrases

Dear Judith,

Since coming to Saipan, my vocabulary has changed in many ways, most of them making me sound like English is my second language. Some of them are just island words or phrases. Rhonda and Nicole are helping compile a list of things that we now say that we never used to.

1. On/off the aircon/lights.
2. Zorries and slippers
3. I hate men.
4. How many points do I get if I run over that guy?
5. Seriously? (Power just went out)
6. Did anyone get any water today?
7. Cannot, did not, should not, etc. in place of can't, didn't, shouldn't
8. Hafa Adai!
9. Ahh, there's a cockroach. Can I borrow your shoe?
10. My kids
11. No hitting/biting
12. Isn't she cute? (referring to picture on my camera)
13. Wanna go to the beach?
14. Ugh, I don't want to tutor today.
15. Yes! I got a box today!
16. When's my lunch break?
17. Let's get dressed up and go to Garapan!
18. Ahh! I'm going 50 mph! So fast!
19. A white person! Wait, are they Russian?
20. It's so cold!!
21. Hit the dog!
22. I cannot see!
23. No, I will not marry you with your nasty betelnut stained teeth.
24. Yeah, I live here. I'm not a tourist. Stop welcoming me to Saipan.
25. Really? (In reference to being followed, whistled at, or honked at by local men)
26. I'm so done with you (Usually said to Kei)
27. Let's go to Steve's and watch a movie
28. It's Friday!!!
29. Why do all the Russian men wear speedos?
30. Stupid humidity!
31. You have to watch out for those chunamis!
32. Did you know So and so? They just got engaged/married
33. What time is it back home?
34. Can I follow?
35. Plenty

This year has definitely memorable. I can't say that I've enjoyed all of it, but I'm trying to take each day as it comes and love the people that I encounter. Love you Jude!

2 comments:

Toni said...

How about same/same?

Jai said...

Well, actually, that one came from Thailand, but it's true, I do say that often here.