Sri Lankan English - Updates O

This page contains updates to the dictionary beginning with the letter O. It is divided into 2 parts: New Entries, and Comments and Corrections. Click here to return to the main updates page, or on the links on the left side of the page to go to another letter.

These pages are updated regularly; please contact me if you have any suggestions or feedback which can be included.

Latest update: July 2010. New additions are in red.

NEW ENTRIES:

olu: a type of lotus flower (Sinhala)
(Click here to see a photograph)

oruwa: a dugout canoe with an outrigger (Sinhala)
(Click here to see a photograph)
“Outsiders came to us on marakkalams and oruwas and to Dambadiva on horses and camels.” (Theravada Man, by Manuka Wijesinghe, page 120)

our boys (= the boys): (coll.) the Sri Lankan cricket team
I don’t know much about cricket, but even I haven’t been deaf to the string of victories our boys have had in the past month. (The Banana Tree Crisis, by Isankya Kodithuwakku, page 105)
“Yes, our boys are so popular now,” … (The Banana Tree Crisis, by Isankya Kodithuwakku, page 107)

our one (= our friend): (coll.) an expression used to refer to another person in an indirect way
“Our one can go for someone even better.”
“Our one is prettier too.”
“Our one can speak English too.” …
“Our one is a bit backward though.”
(Learning to Fly, by Shehani Gomes, page 12)

overlook: oversee
> In BSE, to ‘overlook’ means to fail to see something, or to ignore it; to ‘oversee’ means to supervise something. The quotes below suggest that in SLE ‘overlook’ is used with both meanings.
The money will be released in stages through a Consultant Psychiatrist in Batticoloa hospital who had kindly consented to overlook this project. (College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka website)
“Although numerous projects are in progress at this moment, we feel it would be better for a committee to overlook present and future developments,” comments Ruwan Sanjeewa. (Linea Aqua Relief Fund website)
In 1992 Mr. Bhaila was elected the first Vice District Governor. In this capacity he represented the Lions International to overlook the activities of the 65 clubs in the districts from Colombo to Jaffna. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)



COMMENTS AND CORRECTIONS:



Click here to return to the main updates page, or on the links on the left side of the page to go to another letter.