LL-L "Idiomatica" 2003.11.13 (09) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 13.NOV.2003 (09) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: Reynaldo Castro <damy_castro at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: The use of 'oi/oy' in the English of England


G'day everyone,

Here I am with a simple doubt ...

I once came across two tourists (around their late 20's) from Kent
(South-East of England) and after a while, they asked me why is that that
Brazilians use to say 'oi' so often. Let me enlighten you. 'Oi' stands for
'hi' in Portuguese. However, they thought that 'hello/hi' in Portuguese
should be 'hola', which means 'hello/hi' in Spanish.
After a short explanation that the Portuguese 'oi' stands for 'hello/hi' ,
they told me they'd feel awkward everytime they'd have to greet someone in
Brazil. They said that 'oi/oy' in England (I suppose it must be used more
often in this form of English (?)) does sound very rude, should you greet
someone that way or just try to have someone's attention by saying 'oi/oy'.
Anyway, once in London, I could frequently notice people greeting each other
by introducing the (English) 'oi/oy' - More frequently amongst young people,
I think.
Is it rude to use this 'oi/oy' or not? If not, where is it used apart from
London? Is it used as slang and/or it just does exist in the popular English
of London? Is anyone able to give me some light on it? : )

whew..I think it's all : )

Thanks a lot!

Have a good one, mates

Cheerio
Reynaldo Damy Castro

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