In the UK we sometimes use phonetic spellings to suggest either (a) informality or (b) illiteracy. The two most common examples are probably luv and wot.
Informal
Take it easy, luv.
I luv Jack. [graffiti]
We luv the Queen. [possible tabloid headline]
Wot a cheek! [ditto]
Wot, no beer? [e.g. in World War II army cartoon]
Suggesting illiteracy
"I'm in luv with 'im", she said.
"She was the one wot did it", he protested.
These phonetic spellings (where the pronunciation is standard English) are particularly associated with the London area. Can anyone think of other examples? Any regional British, or American, equivalents?
Luv, wot etc
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Well, in graffiti here in the US we'd probably use a heart sign rather than spell it.
If we're going completely gaga over someone or thing, we do use "wuv."
I'd say we use these two to demonstrate illiteracy in much the same way.
I'm not too up on Brit-speak, but I believe there's "innit." It seems to have several different usages.
From Harry Potter I recall "wotcher," as a greeting. It's not phonetic, though.
Edit: I just came across two others that might serve:
wor for were and Misther for Mister. These both may be more indicative of local or uneducated speak.
If we're going completely gaga over someone or thing, we do use "wuv."
I'd say we use these two to demonstrate illiteracy in much the same way.
I'm not too up on Brit-speak, but I believe there's "innit." It seems to have several different usages.
From Harry Potter I recall "wotcher," as a greeting. It's not phonetic, though.
Edit: I just came across two others that might serve:
wor for were and Misther for Mister. These both may be more indicative of local or uneducated speak.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
Yes - like n'est-ce pas? in French or ¿no es verdad? in Spanish.I'm not too up on Brit-speak, but I believe there's "innit."
Wotcher or wotcha - originally from "what cheer?".From Harry Potter I recall "wotcher," as a greeting. It's not phonetic, though.
Never seen "Misther".wor for were and Misther for Mister. These both may be more indicative of local or uneducated speak.
bnjtokyo's "wuz" is a good example. There's also "dun" (I never dun it; a whodunit). Another example is the expression 'Nuff said.
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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I am a red neck, but there are degrees of red neckism. A cousin from Smith County, Texas (Tyler), once told me, "Ah dun druv uh fur piece n Ah haint et nuttn yit." This should take some kind of prize.
Maybe it will wake up this thread to a subject dear to my heart.
Maybe it will wake up this thread to a subject dear to my heart.
It is dark at night, but the Sun will come up and then we can see.
Re: Luv, wot etc
Oh, I do like a 'fur piece', so Western, like it 'camup a frog strangl'r.'
'Nother, is another but doesn't mean an other,
I like reading books with a few of these but sometimes it gets a bit much and the flow is lost.
MB
'Nother, is another but doesn't mean an other,
I like reading books with a few of these but sometimes it gets a bit much and the flow is lost.
MB
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, Isa30:15
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