Chale (GHANA)
*Alternative Spellings: Charlie, Charle
*pronounced: "Char-lay/Chaa-lay"
A VERY popular Ghanaian (Pidgin English) expression used in multiple senses (depending on rising/falling intonation):
1. in the same sense as the
words "Dude" or "Homie." Synonymous with the
American "Jack" or "Joe" as a way of addressing another person directly. Supposedly believed to have originated from the
Chicago-based
slang "Charlie" (pron. "Chali"), used in the same vein to address someone directly.
2. used with "Oh" as an expression of disappointment, pity, sympathy.
3. used with "Oh" as an expression of agreement with someone else's statement. Used in the same vein as "I know right?" or "Tell me about it."
eg. 1: What's up, chale? / Ahh, charlie,
cool things. (<- Ghanaian pidgin for "
Nothing much; Life's great; I'm alright.)
eg. 2: Nana isn't doing too great. His girlfriend recently passed away. / Are you serious? Oh charlie, the poor boy.
eg. 3: We're shelving all these books
today? All this hard work...just for $8.00 an hour. / Oh charlie. E hard oo. (<- Ghanaian pidgin for "It's a hard or tough life.")
