ASL ("Aussie" as a Second Language)

Many people, especially missionaries, have told us that we were blessed to be in a country where we don't have to learn a new language. Most missionaries spend about two years in formal language school, and many of them tell us of the difficulties and frustrations they go through in trying to minister to the natives in their broken respective languages. Yes, it is true, we feel pretty blessed to not have to be in language school; however, we did/do have to go through our share of minor frustrations when communicating with some Aussies, especially when we drive out of the main Sydney CBD area where the Aussie accent seems to get thicker, and where they use more Aussie slangs. So although we're not being taught a new language in a formal setting, we are learning a lot in a practical way by interacting with Aussies everyday.

Following are some of the basic sayings we have learned:

How you going? - How are you doing?
Heaps - Lots
No worries. - That's all right.
Ta - Thanks
Cuppa - Cup of coffee or tea
She’ll be right! - It’ll be all right!
Bush - Woods
Rubish - Trash/Garbage
I reckon. - I think.
Uni - University
To hire - to rent
Good on 'ya - Good job or good for you
bonnet - hood (of a car)
boot - trunk (of a car)
take away - take out (food)
cash out - cash back (after paying for something with your atm card at the grocery store)

Well, here is an incident that happened to a American expat couple we know. They were at a KFC drive through trying to get his favorite sandwich. Here's how the conversation went:

Aussie: "What would you like, sir?"
Expat: "I'd like the Zinger Burger".
Aussie: " What was that?"
Expat" "The Zinger Burger!" (louder)
Aussie: "What?"
Expat: "The ZING-ER BURG-ER!"
Aussie: "What was that?"
Expat's wife: "Say it like the Aussies!"
Expat: "The ZING-AH BUG-AH!"
Aussie: "Oh, the Zing-ah Bug-ah! Anything else?"
Expat and wife:

Please pray for our language acquisition.