Or: The South African Concept of Time
South Africans have a fairly complicated relationship with the word “now.” This is an across-the board phenomenon and has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. There are three distinct forms of “now” and as an expat you better learn the various meanings, or you will be very frustrated when things don’t happen. The following should give you some idea:
Now: Eventually, Maybe.
What could be simpler than interpreting “now” as meaning “at this very moment,” like “immediately? But don’t be fooled! “Now” spoken by a South African is more like the exact opposite of the word as we know it. If you’re told “now,” what the other person really means is “maybe later, but definitely not now.” As in “I’m leaving now to fetch your license plate,” meaning anytime between several hour from now until maybe next week, or, quite frankly, never. Especially if this was the first request of whatever it is you’re asking for, an answer containing “now” should not be what prompts you to check it off your to-do list!
Just now: Later.
“Just now” is a bit higher on the priority list than “now.” It’s a distinct improvement but still nowhere near “this instant.” If you’re told “I’ll check into your claim and call you back just now,” you might actually expect that to happen the same day, but clearly not immediately.
Now now: Shortly.
If you thought you’d finally find out how to make something happen immediately in South Africa
But don’t be frustrated with any of this. The weather is great here! Someone else is doing your ironing! The best way to enjoy South Africa
3 comments:
I'm going to remember that now now! I love the different idioms and sayings used in English in different countries. I lived in Kenya and Ghana and had language fun there! I remember in Kenya the "I don't mind" phrase. If you ask someone if she'd like something -- tea, coffee, whatever -- you may get the answer "I don't mind," which might make you think the person doesn't care one way or the other, and you'd be a bit miffed. But in actual fact it means, "yes, please."
In Ghana you may hear "He abused me!" or "Don't abuse me!" which doesn't mean what you'd think it means in American English. It has the meaning of insult or ill-treat.
Ha, that is funny! I have a friend who lived in Kenya, I'm sure she had the same experience.
By the way, just to be fair, my South African friend G pointed out that the American equivalent of "just now" is "momentarily." As in "A customer service representative will be with you momentarily."
I realized that when I was living in the USA the word 'SURE' doesn't exactly mean the same as I always thought. Funny, how words can have their own life in different countries, the subtle differences is what you have to learn.
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