spika, v.
(ˈspɪkə, ˈspiːkə)
Also speaka, spik(ka), etc.
[Repr. broken English pronunc. of speak: see speak v. and cf. spic n., spiggoty n.]
= ‘speak’: a representation or imitation (usu. jocular or patronizing) of its pronunciation by one whose first language is not English. Chiefly in negative contexts.
| 1889 Kipling From Sea to Sea (1899) II. xx. 404 One small [Japanese] boy..said suddenly: ‘I spik Englees,’ and collapsed. 1901 G. B. Shaw Capt. Brassbound's Conversion i. 235 That rascal (indicating Marzo) would cut a throat for a dollar if he had courage enough. Marzo. I not understand. I no spik Englis. 1950 ‘D. Divine’ King of Fassarai xviii. 143, I been in hospitals... I spika da language. 1959 ‘M. M. Kaye’ House of Shade iii. 29 ‘Did you take my passport?.. When you were ragging my room?’ ‘Rag—? Sorry; I no speaka-da English.’ 1976 C. Weston Rouse Demon xii. 54 No spikka, I suppose. What the hell do they teach these kids in school? 1977 A. Scholefield Venom i. 41 Remember our agreement? You no spikada French and I no spikada Pakistani. 1983 P. L. Brown Fjord of Silent Men vi. 35, I work with a magazine called Norske Kvinner—‘Norwegian Women’ if you donta speaka da lingo. |