Words to Watch

Here in Ghana I am learning conversational Twi, but many people do speak English.

However, while English is a national official language in Ghana, Ghanaian English is sometimes quite different than American English in intonation and word meaning.

Here is my list of words to watch and their (different) meanings here:

To paste- to brush teeth
To land- to finish your statement (“let me land!” said when someone cut you off)
To sponsor someone- to pay for them (“he sponsored me for my birthday”)
To spread someone- to pay for them (“will you spread me tonight?”)
To be engaged- to be traditionally married
Spot- a bar to drink at
Portable- something nice or cute (“that house is portable”)
Tea- a hot beverage (“can I have some coffee tea?” asked when you want coffee)
Cutex- all nail polish
Outdooring- naming ceremony for a baby
To flirt- to sleep around (usually for a girl)
To trafficate- to indicate (with your turn signal)
To blow- to do poorly on your exams, for example
To blast- to reprimand strongly
To branch- to turn
Garden egg- eggplant
A rubber- a plastic bag (NOT a condom)
To flash someone- to call them and hand up
A chop bar- a low class restaurant
Chop money- allowance
Booklong- nerd
Carpet- any floor covering
Sweet- delicious

Sometimes with language we have to watch out, although misunderstandings are unavoidable and even part of the fun…

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