Just how Jo'burg are you?

After 11 years in Johannesburg, it used to be my favourite thing to hear from my hometown friends and family that my "Joburg accent is quite strong". I found it interesting that I had changed without realising it, interesting that I had evolved to what was around me. 

On a recent visit to the Drakensberg, a woman commented that I sounded "very Joburg". She continued that Joburgers like to furnish their sentences with "Babe" and throw in the occasional "Awesome". For some reason this bothered me a bit that I had sounded more "nasal" Joburg than I did "lazy" Durban. This was until my other half boldly affirmed to the woman that my Durban twang still existed and was particularly evident in certain words. He loves to rip me off about these 5, let me elaborate.

Durban-style annunciations

Fish - pronounced Fuhsh
Five - pronounced Fahvh

Hill -  pronounced Hull
Chip - pronounced Chuups

Finish - pronounced Funish

Chicken - pronounced Chuckin

Children - pronounced Chuldrin

The "Joburg" is strong with me

I must admit that when I hear myself saying these words, I have a little giggle, but the Joburg side to me definitely is reigning through as the stronger of the two accents. I've noticed that I now say "Brinestin" instead of Bryan-ston when sharing where I live. I've also noticed that I seem to "sing" my sentences. You can hear it when a Joburger/Sandtonite elaborates the "s" in every sentence and almost whines through her conversation without disdain. That person is me now. 

Being born and raised in KZN I know better than to pronounce an African name like I'm from Houghton, but true's Bob I called her Bon-oh-low, instead of Bonolo. That came out my mouth and I wasn't even thinking about it! Embarrassed and shocked at my faux pas I apologized as she corrected me. But it was too late, Bonolo just looked at me with confirmation in her eyes, nxa white girl, "It's Bon-ohlo" she hissed back. Eish, fail! 

So love it or hate it doll, I've evolved and there's totes nothing I can do about it. Whether you wanna funish my sentences or not, it's kinda here to stay. So when you're up this side be sure to come visit me for some fuhsh and chups. Maybe by then I'll have some chuldrin. 

Don't worry babes, its awesome, I'll love you with or without your Sandton twang, hopefully you'll stay long enough for me to high fahvh you - just don't judge, its hard enough, as it is, being from a small coastal town while living it up in the big city. People look at me like I'm a mixed breed no matter which side of the Boerewors curtain I'm from.

I guess I am the best of both now, so might as well own it! LOL's! 
x