Gayle language explained

Gayle
Also Known As:Gail
Region:South Africa

mainly in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth

Speakers:none
Ref:e18
Speakers2:L2 speakers

20,000

Familycolor:Mixed
Family:based on varying mixtures of English and Afrikaans, with similarity to Polari
Iso3:gic
Glotto:gail1235
Glottorefname:Gail

Gayle, or Gail, is an English- and Afrikaans-based gay argot or slang used primarily by English and Afrikaans-speaking homosexual men in urban communities of South Africa, and is similar in some respects to Polari in the United Kingdom, from which some lexical items have been borrowed. The equivalent language used by gay South African men who speak Bantu languages is called IsiNgqumo, and is based on a Nguni lexicon.[1] [2] [3]

Gayle originally manifested as moffietaal (Afrikaans: literally, "homosexual language") in the drag culture of the Cape Coloured community in the 1950s. It permeated into white homosexual circles in the 1960s and became part of mainstream white gay culture.[1] [2] [3]

Besides a few core words borrowed from Polari (such as the word varda meaning "to see", itself a borrowing from Lingua Franca), most of Gayle's words are alliterative formations using women's names, such as Beulah for "beauty", Priscilla, meaning "police", and Hilda for "hideous". Men, especially other homosexual men, are often referred to by female pronouns in some circles, as is the custom among many homosexual countercultures throughout the world.[1] [2] [3]

Gayle arose for the same reason that most antilanguages develop, to ensure in-group preference in diverse societies. However it also fulfilled other functions such as to "camp up" conversation, and provide entertainment in a subculture where verbal wit and repartee are highly valued.[1] [2] [3]

A comprehensive study of Gayle was undertaken by linguist Ken Cage in 2002, and his Master’s Thesis was published as “Gayle, the language of Kinks and Queens” (2003: Jacana Media). This book, although out of print now, was the first attempt to publish a history of Gayle, as well as a basic dictionary of the argot.

Commonly used terms

!Gayle term!English translation
Abigailabortion
Adabum, buttocks
Adelea gay person with a reputation for vindictiveness, dangerous
Agathaa gossip
Aida or Aunty AidaHIV / AIDS
Amandaamazing
Angelakind, helpful
Belindablind
Bellato bash, to hit, to beat up
Betty Bangles or Jennifer Justicehand-cuffs, the police
Betty Boems / Knitsex
Belinia or Beulahbeautiful, gorgeous, handsome
Brendato burn
Brunhildaexcessively ugly
Carolto cry
cha cha palacediscotheque or club
Cherylcheerful
Christinaa gay man who attends church
Cillacigarette
Cindya young person, teenager
Cloraperson of mixed race, "coloured"
conchvagina
Daphnedeaf
Deborahdepressed
Delilahdelightful
Dianato die
Doraa drink or in a drunken state
Doreen or Dora de la Poėsdrunk
Dorettesmall drink
Emmaembarrassing
Ericaerection
Ethel, Ola or Olgaelderly, old
Fatimafat
Feulahfurious
Gailto speak
Great Danelarge penis
Griseldagrisly, ugly
handbag (or bag)guy, boyfriend, male companion, man
Harriet or Wella (after the hair care brand)hair, hairdo
Hildahideous
Irisirritate
Jellahurry up
Jessicajealous or insane
Joanbitter, gay man
Juliajewelry
Katrinabum, buttocks
KFCsex
Lauralover
Leonieliar
Lesley/sleg/s
Lettielesbian
Lindaa lie, to lie
Lizzylazy
Lucysexually active
Lululaugh
lunchpenis, particularly when showing through trousers
Vera or Veronicato vomit
Marya square, straight-laced, nerdish (as in 'Virgin Mary')
Maureenmurder
Mavis, Gertrude or Gertievery effeminate man
Mara or Mariamthin
Milly or Mildredcrazy
Mince, Mina or Mina Mooto walk
Moiramusic
Monica (Lewinsky)mouth
Nancy, or nannyno
NatalieAfrican person
Nigelto have sex (likely from Afrikaans naai or neuk)
Noranot nice, off, distasteful, naf, ignorant
Oliveattractive man
Patsya party
Pearl or Petuniato urinate
Petula Clarkpassed out, unconscious
Persephoneto perspire
Poppy or Aunty Poppiepoppers, amyl nitrate
Priscillapolice
Rachelrape
Ritarent boy
Sally (Bob)fellatio, oral sex
Sheila(to) shit
Stellato steal, stolen
Susy / Susansuicide
Tessato tease (your hair)
Tillymasturbate, give someone a 'hand job'
Trudietrouble
varda or Carlato look
Verato vomit
Veronicavoice
Vivianvibrator
Virginiavirgin
Viswoman
WendyCaucasian person
Varda that Beulah bag! translates to "Look at that beautiful man!"[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Cage . Ken . Gayle – Gay SA Slang . 18 August 2008 . Q Online . Mail & Guardian . 10 August 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20000818005936/http://www.q.co.za/news/1999/9908/990810-gayle.html . 18 August 2000.
  2. M.A. . Cage . Ken . An investigation into the form and function of language used by gay men in South Africa . University of Johannesburg . 1999 . https://archive.today/20140625081920/https://ujdigispace.uj.ac.za/handle/10210/6161 . dead . 25 June 2014 . 25 June 2014 .
  3. Book: Cage . Ken . Evans . Moyra . Gayle: The Language of Kinks and Queens: A History and Dictionary of Gay Language in South Africa . 2003 . Jacana Media . Houghton, South Africa . 9781919931494 . 25 June 2014.