Newfinese

Originally posted January 3/2007 on "Allison Wonderland"


Just for the record, I love Newfoundland.

I love most of the people here, too. But guys, I don't understand Newfinese. When a customer in the store shakes her head and says, "I tin ander fahl tonde flarr" after I serve her daughter, I don't know what that means. It doesn't matter how many times you repeat it, m'am- if you don't speak English, I can't help you.

I still don't know whether that comment required a response. The customer repeated herself 3 times, shook her head again, and followed her daughter out of the store. I smiled and nodded.

I understand that accents and dialects are a part of our heritage, a reflection of our origins, and the homogenization of speech signal the loss of a unique culture. I actually think that the Newfoundland accent is nice. I just wish I could understand what people around here were saying when they have the thickest accents, and are speaking what is supposed to be English.

And, if they understand what people are saying on TV, why don't they understand me when I speak? I don't understand that, either.