Well and I just got another rejection, folks'ee, so I dun feels royt crappola. Anyannowhut? I thunks I gwenna poot summoradat funny-ol' speech up here. This time, Canajan speech-eh?
I hate getting rejections. They are the death of hope. I have published two novels already which were almost universally acclaimed, and recently a relative said to me, "But I thought if you had a book in print already, the publisher would automatically print all your other books."
I thought this novel would sell, I really did, I thought it was my best work ever. Jaisus and sometime' I t'ink I gonna joust dee.
This is pastiche, of course. The purists would hate it. It's Margaret-ese, a gumbo. But I am interested in Newfoundland speech, what there is left of it, I mean. I suppose it will slowly erode away like averr-body say. But I am most fascinated by derivations from unexpected sources, like French: not so much French words but sentence construction, syntax. So here goes another Wiki, but I'll try to keep it brevver, lads:
Some examples of Newfoundland English:
- Eh b'y: To agree with what someone is saying.
- Where ya to?: Where are you?
- Stay where you're to/at Oi'll come where ya're at/to.: "Wait there for me."
- Get on the go: "Let's go" (also, a common euphemism for partying, on the go by itself can also refer to a relationship- similar to a dating stage, but more hazy.)
- You knows yourself: Responding to statement in agreement.
- Yes b'y: Expression of awe or disbelief. Also commonly used sarcastically to mean "yeah right".
- Luh!: this is used to draw attention to something or someone, often by pointing. It is a variant of "Lo!" or "Look!"
- G'wan b'y!: meaning, "No, really?" or "Are you joking?"
- Oh me nerves: To be agitated or annoyed by something or someone
- Ducky: Common term for friend or buddy (more often referring to women than men)
- Scopie: A nickname of a bottom feeding fish often found around coves
- Rimmed/Warped: To be deformed or distorted in a unusable fashion. Often used to describe someone who is seen upon as weird or an outcast (i.e.: She's rimmed, b'y).
- Scrob/Scrawb: a scratch on one's skin (i.e.: "The cat gave me some scrob, b'y" falling into disuse in lieu of scratch)
- Gets on/Getting on: used to refer to how a person or group behaves (i.e. "You knows how da b'ys gets on" / "How's she getting on?")
- On the go: To have something processing ("I've got an application on the go") or be in a relationship ("I've got a girl on the go")
- What are ye at?: or "Wadda ya'at b'y?" : "What are you doing?"
- Wah?: A general expression meaning, "what?" The length of the vowel sound varies.
- Me ol' cock: meaning, "buddy" or "pal" : "Whacha got, me ol' cock?"
- You're some crooked : "You are grouchy"
- Mudder : "mother"
- After: A preposition similar to "have." (i.e.: "I'm after sitting down" for "I have sat down.") also used like "trying" (i.e.: "whaddya after doin' now?" for "what are you trying to do?")
- Puttin'in: Referring to young women, from "putting in"
It's not so much what they say as how they say it, which is mainly t'ru da nowse. It's impossible to replicate the vowel sounds except with those infuriating little upside-down things, which not only do I refuse to use, but I don't even have the bally things on me toype-riter anyways. Royt turkeys they are, dem speechyfiers.
Maybe I should always write this blog in dialect. Me own dialect, so that NO ONE will oonder-staand it. Might I sell my bewk that way? Can't doo no worrsse din I am royt now, canna?
(Oh, and. The title refers to an old joke. Man hires a landscaper and his crew to spruce up his yard. Keeps on hearin' the feller shoutin' "Green side up! Green side up!" The guy comes around the corner and sees a bunch-a Newfies layin' sod.)
