Si-Language
Hey, if you’re going to become part of my posse, you have to know two languages: English and Si-Language. The first one is easy enough to understand because it’s America’s native language. However, understanding Si-Language might be a little tricky for some. It’s unique in itself and it’s constantly evolving.
Of course, Si-Language is most famously known for its excessive use of “Hey,” the most important word in my vocabulary. It’s automatic. It’s like a fabric woven into my character. “Hey” comes out when I open my mouth. It’s a natural reflection.
Hey can mean yes, hey can mean maybe, hey can mean no, hey can mean next week. The bottom line is, you gotta understand me to understand hey. When you hear me say it, y’all give it the meaning you want it to have.
One of the most important aspects of understanding Si-Language is recognizing the emphasis of my words. Most of the time it’s not about what I say, but how I say it and when I say it. Hey, I’ll add the word “Jack” to the beginning, middle, or end of a lot of phrases. Depending on where I use it, Jack can mean a lot of things. I might say, “Best of luck with that, Jack” or “Hey, Jack, you can take that to the bank.”
One of the first things you have to understand about my lingo is that when I greet people, I’ll say, “What about it?” It basically means hello in passing, okay? It’s my informal way saying, “What’s up?” without really wanting to know the answer.
But if I’m talking to someone I have a prior relationship with, I might say, “All right, boys, what about it?” I’m basically asking my buddies what they’ve been doing lately. Have they killed any ducks or caught any fish? Have they watched any good TV crime dramas? When I open my greeting with “All right, boys,” that means I want them to answer. I want them to be specific with their answers.
Now, if I say, “Okay, okay, okay,” it means I might be nervous about something. It’s pretty easy to recognize, and I’m not nervous very often. However, my use of okay gets a little complicated at times. I might say, “Okay, okay, okay,” when I’m trying to prove my point. I use that approach quite often with my nephew Jase because his head is harder than concrete.
Another catchphrase I use a lot is “Yep, yep.” When I use a double yep, it means I’m not really that interested in what someone is telling me. When I say, “Yep, yep,” that means I’m ready for him or her to quit talking. If my sister-in-law Kay or nephew Alan is telling me a story that goes on forever, I’ll say, “Yep, yep.” That’s the signal for them to quit talking. The faster the yeps come out, the faster I want them to shut their traps.
Now, I might be yepping at someone, but then I’ll suddenly say, “Naw, naw.” That means they’ve somehow piqued my interest in what they’re telling me. When I say, “Hey, naw, naw,” that means I want them to finish telling me their story because I’m entertained.
Hey, when I start sharing a story with someone, I’ll usually start with, “No, no, hey.” That’s the cue for my boys to start listening because they’re about to be mesmerized by what they hear! Hey, look here, I tell stories like an M. Night Comealong movie. My buddies know I’m usually setting them up for a big twist. When they hear, “No, no, hey,” they realize they better start listening intently for details because the plot is about to get serious, Jack!
Of course, my wife, Christine, understands me better than anyone. When she’s with me, she usually works as my translator. Plus, she might be the only person in the world who has figured out how to make me stop talking. When Christine is telling me something and I rudely interrupt her, she’ll grab my hands and hold them down. Somehow, my mouth shuts. It’s the only way to keep me quiet. Hey, it’s easier said than done.