TALLINN — A British expat living in Kalamaja has announced that he has learned the Estonian word “noh” and is now using it in everyday situations. Locals who have witnessed this describe the pronunciation as “ambitious.”
James Clarke, 34, a product manager at a Ülemiste City tech firm, moved to Tallinn three years ago. He has, by his own account, been “meaning to learn Estonian” for most of that time. Two weeks ago, he made his move.
”I heard it in a meeting,” Clarke told this reporter, in English. “Everyone just said ‘noh’ and that was it. I thought, that’s achievable. That’s one syllable. I can do one syllable.”
Clarke has since deployed “noh” in at least eleven documented situations: three Selver checkout interactions, one conversation with his building’s landlord, two team meetings, and a moment at a tram stop that Clarke describes as “very natural” and witnesses describe as “confusing.”
His pronunciation has been characterised by colleagues as “somewhere between ‘no’ and ‘nor’” and “said with the energy of someone who has just remembered something.” Clarke is aware his pronunciation may need refinement. He remains undeterred.
”He uses it at the wrong moment and with the wrong intonation, but he says it with complete confidence, which is actually more Estonian than most Estonians.”
— Kadri Rebane, Clarke’s colleague, speaking from the kitchen area
Estonian linguists note that “noh” is not technically one word. It is a feeling compressed into sound. It can mean agreement, resignation, mild surprise, the end of a topic, or the beginning of something that will not be said. It cannot be translated. It should not be attempted by the uninitiated.
Clarke says he plans to learn “jah” next. He is optimistic about the timeline.
Neighbours have responded to Clarke’s linguistic efforts with nods. Clarke has interpreted these as encouragement. They were not encouragement. They were nods.
Clarke has also reportedly begun referring to black bread as “leib,” which he pronounces as “layb.” No formal action has been taken.