Ghanaian english vs. u.s. english-gctid39732

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

to help people avoid confusion upon visiting Ghana:

bonnet = hood
boot = trunk
lorry = car
aircon = a/c, air conditioning
gearbox = manual transmission
petrol = gasoline
thesis = dissertation
mobile = cell phone
handheld = cell phone
fitter = mechanic
windscreen = windshield
pear = avocado
veranda = porch
rasta = locs
whilst = while
fair-skinned = light-skinned
post-paid = monthly bill
salo = salary
dey = to be located somewhere
tank = radiator

I'll add to the list as I think of more...

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

dress = outfit
draughts = checkers
home = eureurasia/britain/u.s. (used especially in the case of cars and car parts. if someone says it's from home, it means that it's coming from one of these places)
kiosk = shack
known = know-it-all
by heart = without thought or reason/any kind of way
director = someone of social status
vulcanizer = repairer of car tires
tyre = tire
rubber = plastic

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

chips = fries
palaver/palava = type of greens dish

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

by force = under duress

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

sack = to evict/fire

[Kimathi]

Here are a few I've noticed.  A couple of these might not be that unique to others, but I found them interesting or at least rarely used in the U.S.

On holiday = On vacation
  Give me way = Please let me through
  Wee = Marijuana
  They give us lights off = There is a power outage
  Macaroni = Spaghetti
  For let = For rent
  Football = Soccer
  Footballer = Soccer player

Also, the word "compound" is used and at times it seems to indicate "yard" at a house or building.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Kimathi;39863 wrote: Here are a few I've noticed.  A couple of these might not be that unique to others, but I found them interesting or at least rarely used in the U.S.

On holiday = On vacation
  Give me way = Please let me through
  Wee = Marijuana
  They give us lights off = There is a power outage
  Macaroni = Spaghetti
  For let = For rent
  Football = Soccer
  Footballer = Soccer player

Also, the word "compound" is used and at times it seems to indicate "yard" at a house or building.

Nice additions @ Kimathi!
Also,
to hire = to rent
to chop = to eat
chop bar = low scale eatery
bush canteen = a bunch of low scale eateries
trousers = pants
pants = underwear
laptop = amorous secretary/administrative assistant
make i chop = help me to eat

[Kimathi]

Eh heh... "chop".  

Reminds me of another meaning to that word.  

The man arrived at the airport in Accra after not seeing his wife in well over a year.  His wife came to greet him and said, "I want us to go home quickly so I can 'chop' you."   :blackicon_wink:

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Kimathi;40030 wrote: Eh heh... "chop".  

Reminds me of another meaning to that word.  

The man arrived at the airport in Accra after not seeing his wife in well over a year.  His wife came to greet him and said, "I want us to go home quickly so I can 'chop' you."   :blackicon_wink:

Aane, in Twi, the word "di" is both to eat and to...well, you know...:hello:

Obadele

[nattyempress]

Lots of good information to know to avoid confusion. Thanks for sharing.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Anything for the BlackNificent!
Some pronunciation ones just came to me:
Heart/Hat - pronounced the same way (like heart just with little or no r sound)
Peace/Piss - pronounced the same way (like peace)
Eat/It - pronounced the same way (like eat)
Ease/Is - pronounced the same way (like ease)
Seat/Sit - pronounced the same way (like seat)
Heat/Hit - pronounced the same way (like heat)
Bean/Been - pronounced the same way (like bean)
These/This - both pronounced like these (this one really trips people up when writing)

[nattyempress]

Thanks brotha. This is helpful as well.

[Afia Khalia tweneboa Kodua]

blackiful! asante sana ndugu!:hello:

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Cheers = goodbye (this can be said even when there is no champagne, wine or even any alcoholic beverage in the vicinity

Pronunciation
Grits = Grease (these are pronounced the same way like grease)
Not = Note (these are pronounced the same way like note)
Live = Leave (these are pronounced the same way like leave):hello:

[AfrikanBeauty89]

Thanks for sharing this!!