Are you proud of your country?
Hey, Alister from Al’s Action English.
My channel will help you learn English on the go.
Please subscribe.
I post new content every Monday.
Today, we’re going to look at my home country of Northern Ireland and 20 words that Northern
Irish people say.
We all know the situation - you meet new people, start a new job.
move to a new country and everyone asks the same question -“Where are you from?”
It’s such an easy question!
However, for people from Northern Ireland (or Norn Iron as it’s often shortened to),
this really can be quite a tricky question.
This is a map of the UK.
The UK has four constituent countries.
Great Britain - which is composed of England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland on
the other side of the Irish Sea.
Northern Irish people typically answer “Where are you from?” in a variety of ways:
I’m from the UK
I’m from Northern Ireland
I’m Irish or I’m British depending on how they ‘identify' as themselves - that's
quite complicated so, perhaps a topic for another lesson.
Sadly, many people in the world haven’t heard of Northern Ireland, so they assume
I'm from Ireland or England or some other country.
For the record, I’m from Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland and I’m extremely
proud of my country!
Lots of people have requested this video so let’s get started - 20 words that Northern
Irish people say.
Here’s why it’s important to understand different variations of English
Firstly, the English you hear in the classroom, on the news or in YouTube lessons is not the
English that you hear on the street.
Secondly, there are a wide variety of native English accents and it is important to understand
these - you never know when you may encounter someone with a tricky accent, like Northern
Irish.
Thirdly, the speed at which native speakers converse is usually very quick - Northern
Irish is certainly an example of this.
Fourthly, learners typically find Northern Irish Slang rather difficult.
Before we continue, here’s our Daily Question:
What words that native English speakers say do you find hard?
Comment below and help each other.
Now, let’s start!
Aye
This simply means yes.
Did you watch the match last night?
Aye.
Bake
A rude or impolite word for the face or mouth
Shut your bake!
Look at the ugly bake on her.
Banjax
To break, ruin or destroy
This computer is banjaxed - it’s taking 2 minutes for every website to load!
Banter
Playful, friendly communication with fun, not serious teasing
The banter was great last night!
Beezer
Great, fantastic, excellent
Our holiday to Crete in August was absolutely beezer.
Baltic
Extremely cold
Last night was totally baltic - I thought I’d get frostbite.
Bout ye?
How are you?
I’ve not seen you for two years, bout ye?
Cracker
Great, fantastic, excellent
The restaurant yesterday was cracker.
Craic
Banter, fun, news, gossip
Alright, Sam - what’s the craic from the party last night?
Dander
Walk
Right, let’s go for a dander this afternoon before the rain comes later.
Dead-on
Okay, no problem, alright, good, decent
Your mate Sarah, she seems dead-on.
Shall we leave at 8?
Sure, dead-on.
Does my head in
A person or thing that really annoys you
They never stop talking - it completely does my head in!
Eejit
Idiot
Why did you put coffee in my tea - you complete eejit!?
Faff
To waste time
Stop faffin’ around and finish your homework!
Fegs
Cigarettes
I’ll have a pack of fegs, two cans of coke and a packet of crisps.
Footer
To fidget or waste time
Will you stop footerin’ with the TV and actually fix the problem?!
Geg
A joke
Tell us that great geg again Rachel, the one with Paddy Irishman and the money...
Gob
Mouth
I’ve got a sore gob from the fight last night.
Grand
Good, fine, alright
What about watching the latest Avengers movie tonight?
Aye, that'll be grand.
Grub
Food
Start when you’re ready - there’s plenty of grub for everyone!
Well done, that’s our 20 words.
I suggest watching this Al’s Action English video about 50 words that Brits and Americans
say differently.
Remember to answer the daily question in the comments.
Please like, subscribe and share with your friends so they can learn English on the go.
Hit the notification bell.
Thanks for watching.
I post a new video every Monday so we’ll talk soon.