Tawking New York Part 3

What? You want I should know from such things?

Okay guys. So I know I promised a lesson called, “When Harry Met Mary,” but my friend Pam left me a comment on Facebook that gave me an idea. 

So for Lesson 3, I am going to talk about a few words we all know but can be used differently by some (mostly Jewish or Italian) New Yorkers.

Those words are: from, should, what, and where

I’m going to give you your challenge right up front. At the end of this lesson, you will be asked to translate the following passage. (It’s very Wiffer related. If you’re not a Wiffer, what’s stopping you? Become one now!) You may need to refer back to Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 to figure out sentence structure.

Wiffers are awesome. They know all about wine and writing. Lani wants people to drink every time she says “awesome.” Sam says that if you need a drink, go to Romeo’s Liquor. 

Part 1: From

Roughly translated, “from” is the equivalent of “about.”

Here. I’ll give you a “for instance.”

They know from romance novels, The Smart Bitches. They also know from heaving bosoms. 

Part 2: Should

Roughly translated, “should” is the equivalent of “wanting somebody to do something.” 

Another “for instance.”

When my uncle told me he was upset that I was making chicken for both of our seders, I said to him, “What? You want [that] I should knock myself out in the kitchen?” He replied that he wanted [that] I should make a brisket. 

My principal was overwhelmed and upset yesterday. She asked me where the gun was because she wanted [that] I should shoot her.

The Wiffers (especially Pam) want [that] Sam should watch Buffy.

Part 3: What and Where

Roughly translated, “what” is the equivalent of “something” or “anything” and “where” is the equivalent of “somewhere” or “a place to.”

The last “for instance.”

My friend moved. She told me her living room had a door so it could turn into a guest room. “When you visit,” she said, “you’ll have where to stay.”

My friend Kim was stuck with a bottle of wine that was so bad she had to pour it out. That night, the poor dear didn’t have what to drink. 

Okay, ready? Here’s your special passage to translate.

Wiffers are awesome. They know all about wine and writing. Lani wants people to drink every time she says “awesome.” Sam says that if you need a drink, go to Romeo’s Liquor. 

Leave your answers in the comments. If you want to peek at my answer, select the white space below. Good luck! And remember, there is no one right way to translate.

They’re awesome, the Wiffers! Why? They know from wine and writing. Lani wants [that] everybody should drink every time she says “awesome.” Sam says that if you need what to drink, go to Romeo’s Liquor. 

Homework: Watch this video and discuss the New York speech patters amongst yourself.