Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Australia or New Zealand (01/15/09)
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TITLE: A Tribute to Dale | Previous Challenge Entry
By cindy yarger
01/21/09 -
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Anyone out there who has been exposed to both American English and Kiwi English knows that they are not always the same. Most of the time this wasn’t a problem but I will admit I did have to ask for further clarification on both “togs” and “knickers”. The following is my attempt at a tribute to Dale and along with her all of you other New Zealanders who may be reading this. Know that Dale, knowing my intent, would graciously forgive any errors and might even call me “a bit of a dag” if I get it totally wrong!
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Grace awoke early. It wasn’t usual for her to do so but today was filled with excitement. She tossed on her cardy and ran downstairs. She wondered what Mum would be making for brekkie. Her heart’s desire was for banger and pikelets. She didn’t smell anything. If she hurried she could still put in her request.
Dad was headed out the door. “I’m off Mum, Gotta see both the chippy and the brickie about the new bach plans. Cheerio, Gracie.”
Grace waved and continued on to the kitchen. Her mum was busy at the sink. “Get me a new flannel eh Grace. Your brother is in the dunny complaining that he wants to chunder. I think it’s just colly wobbles but …” Grace detoured to get the flannel.
“Mum, when you’re done with Bobby how about we have banger and pikelets eh” Grace spoke hopefully.
“If you can wait until Bobby is out the door. The smell may make him crook. All he’s up for this morning is a cuppa.” Mum smiled and characteristically wiped the back of her hand across her forehead.
Grace kept up the conversation even as Mum attended to Bobby. “I saw a plod on our street yesterday. The boy racer get in a prang eh? I know he’s been doing the ton. “
“I know bugger all. I did hear talk about a judder bar again so maybe that does have something to do with it. I’m not sure I’d like one but Phil was a piker about the whole thing last time it came up. It will probably still all come to nought.” Mum answered.
“Nandy said that last time he saw a boy-racer around here, he wasn’t even safe on the pavement. If a plod is looking into it, she’ll be right.” Grace stated assuredly.
Bobby popped his head out the dunny door and announced, “I’m stuffed, I’m taking a smoko. Ta Mum.” He lumbered off to bed again.
“Help me with the pikelets eh Grace.” Mum was already bustling back into the kitchen.
“I’m chuffed Mum, that I can get the dole while I’m going bush. My new job doesn’t start until April. That’s almost three months and I won’t be skint! What will you do without me?” Grace’s sigh was of pure contentment.
Mum mischievously said, “The first thing I’ll do is have a pinky bar and a round of draughts, then I might pack a sad for a time but in the end I’ll come around to a box of budgies once again.”
“Oh Mum, you’re beaut.”
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For all of you American English readers out there, you can get a small taste of what it is like to miss a bit of what is going on in the language department. It’s like learning a new language, there are gaps and a dictionary is a helpful tool. If you want to go the extra mile and look up the words/phrases that you don’t know you can find them on the Kiwi Web words and phrases.
For all of you Kiwi English readers you can critique me at will (but be kind!) It’s hunky dory if you think I should twink this. I hope I didn’t butcher any true meanings too badly and my sincerest apologies if I did.
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