This humble Yorkshire blog is proud to receive visits from all North Americans. Of course, Canada was once part of The British Empire and since gaining full independence in 1982, it has remained in our Commonwealth of Nations. I suspect that Canadians, at least those whose first tongue is English, generally have a better appreciation of British English than the majority of their neighbours in the USA.
For the purposes of transatlantic understanding, I often find myself having to clarify words and phrases for American visitors to this blog. Since the sixteenth century when British settlers began their new lives in The New World, the English language evolved both here to the east of the Atlantic Ocean and over there to the west. Many differences have emerged.
The list below is meant to be generally helpful for those who live in the shade of the star-spangled banner...
BRITISH ENGLISH AMERICAN ENGLISH
Thanks for the laugh:)
ReplyDeleteAs the bishop said to the actress, "You are welcome young lady".
DeleteWe have a hard enough time determining the regional differences between hot dish and casserole, bubbler and water fountain, pop and soda, we can't concern ourselves with the differences across an ocean!
ReplyDeleteI once had an argument with a guy in a bar in Ohio. He insisted that he spoke American and not, as I suggested, English. He might have had a gun outside in his pick-up truck so I soon changed the subject.
DeleteI'm pretty good at Brit-Speak and can tell what is meant by certains words.
ReplyDeleteAnd I actually write "catalogue" and not "catalog" cuz it just seems right!
Cuz? Is that short for cousin?
DeleteI'm used to both language versions so rarely need any translations with them. Much of our TV viewing is American programs and most movies seem to be made there too.
ReplyDeleteYou must be a good listener Elsie.
DeleteHello from Canada. Another strange one is jumper. In Canada a jumper is sort of a pinafore like garment. I will confess to calling my pullover type knit garments " jumper " though. As a knitter it just translates better for me.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for using "jumper"! It could also be a horse.
DeleteCanadians need some help with these terms too. I'm familiar with about half of them and use them. For many Canadians, their first language was not English. That has been an influence. My Dad's first language was German. When he started school , he did not know any English.
ReplyDeleteHow hard it must have been for first generation immigrants - strangers in a strange land.
Deletetrump=fart is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI knew all of these, Neil. I've been reading books written across the pond since childhood and I love plenty of your TV shows, so...
Another great thing about you is that you do not wear a red MAGA cap which is a proud symbol of ignorance.
DeleteTwo countries separated by a common language!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say that English is common! It's complex and sophisticated with a massive vocabulary.
DeleteThe list needs to be longer:
ReplyDeleteMudguard = fender
Windscreen = windshield
Coriander = cilantro
Beer = cat's pee
Sorry, this is a serious matter.
Fairy/candy floss = cotton candy
Rubbish - trash
Car park = parking lot
Faff = lollygag
Lorry = truck.
Shopping centre = mall
High street = main street
I love that American word "lollygag". It is what Trump does all day in his vulgar Mar-a-Lago or his Trump Tower penthouse apartment which allegedly has the floor space of a major international airport.
DeleteAt three years old, the first English words I learned were from a young Australian couple who had come to Germany on their honeymoon and stayed for two years, living in the ground floor flat of the house where my parents were renting the attic flat.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 9, English lessons started at school. My first English teacher had studied in Oxford, so it was British English we learned.
But in those days, our part of Germany still had a very large US Military presence, and by the time I was 12, our books for English classes were American.
I guess it is safe to say that I am almost equally familiar with both the British and the American versions for many words and expressions, although the British influence (or should I say, Yorkshire influence) has become a lot stronger since I met Steve.
Your command of English, in writing at least, is very impressive. Do you speak English in a Yorkshire accent? By the way - your Christmas card arrived this morning. Thank you so much.
DeleteI do have a Yorkshire accent, yes, thanks to Steve's influence. Good to know my card arrived on time - it took long enough...! Yours has arrived one or two weeks ago already and is displayed along with the others on the cabinet in my living room. Thank you!
DeleteAnd Happy Holidays to you...
ReplyDeleteDon't wind me up lass!
DeleteNext up - a comprehensive guide to the Yorkshire dialect?
ReplyDeleteEe-by-gum, champion idea tha knows lass!
DeleteDoes it really matter though, the evolving of language? Is it not true that when the early British and Irish settlers went over to America, Australia, etc, they took with them their local accents, which can still be traced today.
ReplyDeleteThe English language is exciting partly because it is forever evolving and growing.
DeleteI continue to become bilingual in English.
ReplyDeleteFor fifty bucks a session I can be your online Britspeak tutor. Payment in advance for a twenty session course please. Each session lasts for ten minutes.
DeleteNot forgetting the different spellings where z creeps into the American spelling instead of s. That Mayflower journey has a lot to answer for.
ReplyDeleteHow dare they insert those "Z's" - as if sprayed on Russian tanks!
DeleteIn reading Sparkling Merlot's blog, I have come across many uses of Australian word usages that I have to look up. I am far more familiar with the British vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet she wasn't using any of the 250 aboriginal languages!
DeleteMs. Moon, I'd be interested to know what Australian words puzzle you? Slang perhaps but any normal words?
DeleteI love this post! I am always fascinated by the differences in the English language. The Trump references were priceless. Michael from Virginia USA.
ReplyDeleteI hope you weren't offended by my ridiculing of your 45th president. It is just that from afar I found him extremely obnoxious.
DeleteNot offended in the least. I cannot stand the man. If he becomes president again I will fall into a deep depression. I cannot believe people even support him. It embarrasses me.
DeleteI usually always can figure out what you mean, Neil! Or I Google it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's because you are intelligent Ellen and you do not wear a red MAGA cap.
DeleteBeing Swedish, in school (including University) I was chiefly taught British English, but as ever since my youth I've been watching/listening to both British and American TV shows/films/series, and nowadays communicate with both British and American friends via the internet, I do sometimes hesitate what words to use when I write myself - and no doubt also get expressions mixed up now and then. From your list, one pair that always causes me trouble is when/where to use is rubbish vs garbage (or trash, or waste, or...)
ReplyDeleteAluminun and aluminium and center and centre.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly good with these terms since I read many British mysteries. The Trump one is certainly accurate--although he's more like a dangerous lunatic asshole.
ReplyDelete"Covfefe" is American English for only one American. To the rest of us, it's nonsense. :)
ReplyDeleteI began reading British mysteries decades ago, so I'm pretty good with most of the differences. (the butler did it with a spanner by torch light)
ReplyDeleteAs Ed commented, the US has many regional variations in terminology, making things even more difficult.
Love those little Trump-inspired inclusions. #insertfistbumphere
ReplyDelete