Speaking Kiwi

As noted in a recent conversation, we haven't picked up the Kiwi accent yet.  We're still hanging on to our Yankee English, although someone told me I don't have the 'typical' American accent.  I don't know what that means, exactly, but most comedians I've seen doing impressions seem to adopt a southern or Texas accent. 

It takes a while to tune one's ear to the accent.   TV professionals are quite easy to understand, but I had a hard time on the phone at first.  It's odd... it feels like actively translating another language, even though it's all English!  My comprehension is getting quite a bit better as time goes on.  Luckily, the locals don't seem to have any problem with my accent; maybe since there are so many American programs on TV, everyone has become accustomed to it.

So what is a Kiwi accent like?  Very similar to Australian.  Here are some of the unique features that have been giving me pause:

• R's are dropped or broadened (similar to a Bostonian...)  Whe-ah's the caah?
  
• "-eh" sounds are pronounced like "-ih" or "-eeh".    Thee-ah's an eel-ih-phant at thih zoo.
• "I" sounds become 'oi'.  Oi'm droiving in thih caah.

And then there's the Kiwi-isms.

• Words like mate, reckon, heaps, no worries, cheers
  
• Shop instead of store, grocery trolley instead of cart, air conditioner instead of furnace (this one really threw me), mums and bubs instead of moms and babies, nappies instead of diapers, pram instead of stroller, courgette instead of zucchini, creche instead of daycare, rubbish instead of garbage.
• Diminutives all over the place:  Buying Chrissy prezzies.  Amiri will start kindy when he's a little older.  Grilling on the barbie, while keeping your fizzy drinks cold in a chilly bin.  Watching a footie match on telly (a rugby game on TV).