Viral Video: Teaching Thai kids how to speak Nottingham

Who says you can't do comms on a career break?

Ever heard the words "'ay up me duck" or "don't get mardy"? Neither has most of the world. But Nottingham and a small village in Thailand can boast their abilities to speak this dialect.

In February 2014, I packed my bags and left the world of marcoms to take a sabbatical in South East Asia. To fund my travels, I taught English as a side hustle in a tiny settlement called Prakhon Chai. At the end of one lesson, I gathered a handful of kids and recorded them speaking a few words in the Nottingham dialect (AKA "bogger talk" as my fellow East Midlanders would call it). Little did I know it would take off and gather momentum! The views stacked up and before I knew they were at 10,000! 

Here are the translations from Nottingham English to "normal" English:

• "Ay up me duck" - Hello my dear

• "Gee us a chip cob" - Give me a chip roll

• "Don't get mardy" - Don't lose your temper

• "Shift that rammel" - Clean that mess

• "Tarrah duck" - Bye dear
  

Above: Yours truly being labelled an 'International Legend' on TV! How cool is that!?

Within days the video was featured in various UK newspapers and BBC Radio Nottingham! I also appeared on the Notts TV's the 6.30 show when I later came home - Go me! Watch my bad self in action.

The kids were in awe of their new found "fame". I quickly went from being your average "farang" (Thai word for westerner) to the coolest teacher in school!

Above: Appearing in the Nottingham Post

Thinking of taking a career break?

Whatever your profession is, we all deserve to take our foot off the pedal and enjoy a much deserved break. The world is so connected now with social media. So if you are a comms professional, there are plenty of ways you can create content and keep your LinkedIn profile fresh. After all, the world really is your oyster.

If you'd like advice on my travels throughout the world, how to fund your sabbatical or I created the viral video, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. I'd be happy to help.

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