Contributions

Andreas Pavlou

Posted on 11 Jun 2019

Baso- λεωφορείο
Fishatiko- fish and chips shop
Boksi- κουτί
Ινδιάνος--indian
Televijon- τηλεόραση
Rimot kontrol- TV remote
Basaris- bus driver
Snookka- μπιλιάρδο
Freeza- κατάψυξη
Stayshon- σταθμος/station
Shopping is usually used instead of ψώνια ie. Εν να πα να κάμω shopping
For names of foods, especially English foods, the English equivalent is used in my family ie. Roast dinner, not ροστο or mashed potatoes, not πουρέ.

My family also tends to use much more old fashioned words that people stopped using in Cyprus ie. Νερό της φουντανας, κολάνι instead of ζώνη. Often when visiting Cyprus English-Cypriot words will slip out, and people will be confused ie. Boksi for κουτί is the most common one I use.
Combined with these words is the high amount of code switching that we use when speaking among family. We carry on this code switching with family that went back to live in Cyprus. In my opinion there's no real logic or rule to the code switching- I always had the idea that it's based on the first word that comes into my head. If it's Greek, I'll use that word and if it's English I'll use that.
To provide some information about myself, I'm 20, i was born and grew up in South West London. I would say my level of Greek (Cypriot dialect, my modern Greek isn't as strong) is very proficient, especially considering that I'm 3rd generation English Cypriot. My grandparents and parents always encouraged Greek speaking in the family, and it helped that we visit Cyprus often.