This post is a part of our International Voices column, written by international UT students & staff, for UT students & staff
There were a few things that could’ve made my flight to Austin a bit easier; getting the meal I requested, having an aisle seat and mostly being given a ‘Not Australian’ shirt as I left the country. It may seem trivial, but constantly having to correct people that yes it’s a different country and no it’s not the same thing gets a bit testy. While I’d love to be associated with Steve Irwin, Tim Tams, and cute kangaroo babies, there are a lot of differences between us. So here are the answers to the questions I get the most often (so that you don’t have to ask them):
- What language do you speak? In New Zealand, our official languages are Māori, English and New Zealand sign language. A few common phrases to get you started:
Kia ora (Greetings, Hello)
Ko wai tō ingoa? (What is your name?)
Kei te pēhea koe? (How are you?)
Kei te pai (I am good)
Ae (Yes)
Kao (No)
International Voices Blogger
- Yes, our rugby team is really that good, yes the haka is awesome, and no I won’t be convinced that American football is better.
- Nope, we don’t have kangaroos or koalas. But, we do have native animals such as the kiwi, tuatara, kakapo, weka and penguins to name a few. And yes, the spiders in Australia are really that big (always check your gumboots and under the toilet seat if you visit!)
- Wait, what? We can be incredibly hard to understand. From the accent to the slang, to the constantly speaking as if we’re asking a question… If you’ve never heard a word before or can’t understand something, ask!
Togs = swimming costume
Dairy = the corner store
The wops = somewhere that’s in the middle of nowhere (e.g. he lives out in the wops)
Scull = to drink (usually an alcoholic beverage) as fast as you can without stopping
Chips = French fries
Biscuit = cookie
Lollies = candy
Heaps = a lot
- What is on your feet? The reason we wear jandals so much is because we invented them! (And they’re ridiculously comfy)
- Yes, New Zealand is really that beautiful.
- Yes, you should visit there.
- No, I haven’t been to Hobbiton (I’ve actually never even seen Lord of the Rings)
- But we do have other films that are just are good! (see: Boy, Once Were Warriors, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Whale Rider)
- Just to reiterate, no I’m not Australian
- No, I’m not (insert any other nationality here)
- And finally………. No, we don’t have as many sheep as you think
