"Oh Shame Daddy" aka How to Speak South African

"Oh Shame Daddy!" exclaimed Jonah, my four year old, approximately 2.5 months after we arrived in South Africa.  So if you are wondering how long it takes a young child to pick up the local lingo, there you have it.  "Shame" is by far the most common expression used here.  It is used to express every emotion as far as I can tell.  Here are some reasons someone would say "Shame.

Me:  Sorry, he is really tired must be the jet lag.
South African:  Oh Shame (expressed in a sympathetic manner)

Me: Thank you for....
South African: Shame, My pleasure (aka You're Welcome).

South African:  Shame, she is so tiny and cute, how old is she?

You get the idea.

The English spoken here is very similar to the English language that is spoken and written in the UK. I remember some of the lingo from the few weeks that I spent in England, but I am still learning.  Its not uncommon for me to ask for something and the person have no idea what I am talking about.  For example one cannot ask for napkins in a restaurant as they are serviettes.  Other examples include,

Nappies = Diapers
Lift = Elevator
Toilet = Bathroom
Basin = Sink
Pram = Stroller
Costume = Bathing Suit

The South African accent sounds like a combination between a British and Australian accent although I am sure a South African would disagree with that statement.  Jonah has already started to pronounce some words with a hint of an accent.  Watch him singing O Christmas Tree and see if you can hear it!