As we read in all the tour guides and as you say Cameroonians themselves, Cameroon is Africa in miniature. Large equatorial forests of the eastern pre-Sahelian areas of the Far North, the country allows us to see many faces of Africa. But this Africa in miniature, it is also more than 200 different ethnic groups that each have their own dialect. While some of these languages are similar, but being Bamileke (one of the largest if not the largest ethnic group country), we do not speak the same dialect if you are dschang or Bafang (2 cities in western Cameroon). And finally, what are English and French that allow everyone to understand and are national languages. I would have been Pouma (village on the Douala-Yaounde axis heavy), maybe I'll have learned the Bassa. But in Douala, the economic capital which combines all ethnicities, learning Douala would otherwise be useless, at least difficult as the Duala are now a minority in their city, supplanted by merchants Bamiléké. I am therefore left to the French, but learn (If I am not mine) these expressions many here who do the French Cameroon. Here are a few.
When greeting, the "hello" is appropriate, what we can answer "thank you" hello being taken in its literal sense. Beware, however: from 12.00 this morning could not, but they say goodnight! "Hi" is a word white, rarely used here (except to greet the white!).
We continue the meeting by asking for a new friendly "is how? . The classic "it will" add the "it goes a little", "we are here": you can always get better. However, attention to the tone which was launched on "is how? "Can also mean" anything but ys'passe there?! "Or" what's your problem?! ".
in Africa and Cameroon in particular, time is not controllable and is still something unclear. This is reflected in the way of speaking. For example, when you get time, we may well answer that it is less than 8. Do not ask "how much less?" And understand that it is only between 7.30 and 8am. Even imprecision of dating events. "From" and "until" is a good example: they designate a certain time in the past or the future. So when someone is late (which may be frequent!), we can say "I've been here and I'm afraid of having to wait for you up."
As in many African countries, it gives a lot of respect to elders, parents. This aspect of culture into the language and where it would use the words "sir" or "Mrs." to greet an older person is used instead "Dad" or " , Mom. " Myself, not having children yet, I am called "Uncle Benedict" with my children at the orphanage.
Why bother to use 3 or 4 words when we could use one? The French in Cameroon does not have to integrate new complex verbs that make life easier:
- - torcher (ex: "You want I'll torch? ") means simply illuminate with a flashlight
- - fingers as we've said repeatedly, we do not fingering people: we do not point
- - cadeauter simply means offering (a gift)
- - degamma is singing outside the range, subtle way of characterizing those who sing off!
few "false friends" with other meanings (in addition to) those we know in French of France:
- - pardon if-you-please. For example, to order a drink called "Honey, give me beer, sorry" and the girl (waitress) you bring your bottle of 65 cl with a big smile!
- - spoil: used instead as participe passé (gâté). En France, seuls les fruits sont gâtés. Au Cameroun, tout se gâte : les fers à repasser, les vélos, etc. Reste quand-même à vérifier si ici aussi on a des enfants gâtés…
- - connaître : savoir (ex : je ne connais pas parler Douala)
- - arrêter : tenir (ex : arrêter la main de quelqu’un, stop a glass). Verb that can lead to funny situations: a child must understand that pulling your backpack when you tell her "stop"?
- - keep: make or report. Thus, whenever we go to the village to find the family, he keeps the oil or soap and it comes with plantains, potatoes (potatoes), potatoes (sweet) which distributes Family and friends stayed in town
- - calculate: the calculations are not reserved for scientists and accountants. It is also the activity of petty criminals who seek to compute the people.
- - film: photograph
- - fall: s impoverish
With these few words and phrases, vous aurez pu avoir un petit aperçu de ce Français du Cameroun que j’intègre petit à petit, volontairement… ou non ! C’est ainsi qu’un matin on se réveille en se demandant si « est-ce que tu bois la bière ?» est correct en Français de France ou pas ou qu’on s’aperçoit que l’on utilise le « même » à tord et à travers dans des expressions du genre « est-ce qu’il est même court ? » (comprenez « est-il petit ?» avec le sous-entendu « moi I think not). How shall I speak in 11 months when I return to France? I do not know, but it is certain that some words I will and I will continue for some time to make you laugh with my accent Cameroon!
