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Translating Brooklynese For Tourists
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 29, 2010
Modified Apr 29, 2010
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 29, 2010
Modified Apr 29, 2010
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Do you speak fluent Brooklynese? Well fuhgeddaboutdit, you just found yourself a new job. A London-based company called Today Translations has posted an ad on Craigslist seeking speakers of the borough's native language, which can't be found in any dictionary.
According to the Daily News the freelance gig will pay up to $210/day to those who have knowledge in Brooklyn's "accent, slang, and nuances." Such Brooklynisms can often be challenging for tourists, with the ad calling attention to phrases like: "not for nothin,'" "cawfee" and "whatayagonna do?"
The paper talked to some locals, who found the ad amusing for the most part—though one turned the tables, saying, "I have a tenant from England and I can't understand a fucking word he says." He also admitted that whenever he leaves the city nobody understands him, recalling, "I almost got locked up in Canada. You say one thing. They don't understand you. They lock you up." Hmm, let's hope Brooklynese translation makes it to the Mounties.
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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