The British-to-American Dictionary

SATCHMO · 11-01-2010, 08:25 PM

And then there's garage rhyming with Carriage instead of Mirage.

duga · 11-01-2010, 08:31 PM

^

I loved that one. I would make my kiwi friend say garage all the time. He got really annoyed by it.

Paedantic Basterd · 11-01-2010, 08:34 PM

That's what's great about being Canadian. You can speak anybody's version of English.

TheCunningStunt · 11-01-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I can sorta sympathize... I hear an embarrassing number of Americans (mostly see them on the internet, and particularly any place where there are a lot of Brits congregating... like here) speaking in British terminology and mannerisms, down to the spelling. While I really don't care to argue which version of English is the right one or not, I gotta say... I wish people would just stick to what's considered correct in their own country. It annoys me to no end when I hear some jackass who's never even been to Europe putting on some unnecessary show in order to... what, fleetingly make people thing they're not who they are? It can't be easier to speak and act in a way that isn't even native to your continent, much less your own life until you started getting enamored by people who couldn't really give less of a **** about whether you speak their jargon or not.

I guess it's all a personal choice, but I still think it's retarded.

Favorite post of the day, you're right to criticize these people. They show their true colors.

LoathsomePete · 11-01-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

My lad says mom instead of mam.
He watches too much American TV.
I'm trying to get him out of the habit with a swift clip round the back of the head.

Inflicting corporal punishment on your son for talking like a normal human being :P

Paedantic Basterd · 11-01-2010, 08:39 PM

Well, I've been mock-criticized for my word choices here before, and I'd like to say that it's not necessarily a matter of choosing to sound like anybody else. It's simply a matter of spending a lot of time speaking to people who use localized terminology, and it rubbing off on my every day dialogue.

Mojo · 11-01-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I can sorta sympathize... I hear an embarrassing number of Americans (mostly see them on the internet, and particularly any place where there are a lot of Brits congregating... like here) speaking in British terminology and mannerisms, down to the spelling. While I really don't care to argue which version of English is the right one or not, I gotta say... I wish people would just stick to what's considered correct in their own country. It annoys me to no end when I hear some jackass who's never even been to Europe putting on some unnecessary show in order to... what, fleetingly make people thing they're not who they are? It can't be easier to speak and act in a way that isn't even native to your continent, much less your own life until you started getting enamored by people who couldn't really give less of a **** about whether you speak their jargon or not.

I guess it's all a personal choice, but I still think it's retarded.

Yeah, i think people should stick to whats correct in their own country and I also absolutely agree that I could not care any less to argue over whats "right" and whats "wrong."

I mean, sure I sometimes joke around ie the whole football/soccer thing but some people take this stuff really seriously. I'm going to talk the way I talk regardless because it's correct for the part of the world I reside in and because language is forever evolving and changing anyway.

Freebase Dali · 11-01-2010, 08:53 PM

@ Pedestrian:

I never had that problem.
I think the biggest thing that ever happened to my communication after having moved from my hometown and lived in other places and in Europe is that I lost my particular accent I grew up with. (thankfully)

And I've been on forums predominantly populated by Brits for years. Still never felt the need to start talking like them, outside of a few intentional jokes or what have you.

Spoiler for The text contained within this spoiler is likely to be insulting to Canadians. Please do not read if you are Canadian and/or easily insulted. By reading this, you waive your right to complain about what was said.:

Paedantic Basterd · 11-01-2010, 08:57 PM

Covered that!

Quote:

That's what's great about being Canadian. You can speak anybody's version of English.

EDIT: But honestly, some people are more impressionable than others. I pick up on the turns of phrases my friends use, whatever nationality they may be. It's not like I'm trying to be more American by using words like "soda", or more English by calling someone a twat. I just hear them on a consistent basis and make quick associations with them be they coming or going in dialogue.

**Janszoon** · 11-01-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

That's what's great about being Canadian. You can speak anybody's version of English.

Not Jamaicans' version!

11-01-2010, 08:31 PM	#32 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	^ I loved that one. I would make my kiwi friend say garage all the time. He got really annoyed by it. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

11-01-2010, 08:53 PM	#38 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	@ Pedestrian: I never had that problem. I think the biggest thing that ever happened to my communication after having moved from my hometown and lived in other places and in Europe is that I lost my particular accent I grew up with. (thankfully) And I've been on forums predominantly populated by Brits for years. Still never felt the need to start talking like them, outside of a few intentional jokes or what have you. Spoiler for The text contained within this spoiler is likely to be insulting to Canadians. Please do not read if you are Canadian and/or easily insulted. By reading this, you waive your right to complain about what was said.: But you're Canadian, and most Americans view you guys as generic versions of everyone else, so we don't hold anything against you. You're free to act how you wish. Speak French! Or whatever else! Most of us don't care what you guys do. No offense, but it's true.

11-01-2010, 08:25 PM	#31 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	And then there's garage rhyming with Carriage instead of Mirage.

11-01-2010, 08:34 PM	#33 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	That's what's great about being Canadian. You can speak anybody's version of English.

11-01-2010, 08:39 PM	#36 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Well, I've been mock-criticized for my word choices here before, and I'd like to say that it's not necessarily a matter of choosing to sound like anybody else. It's simply a matter of spending a lot of time speaking to people who use localized terminology, and it rubbing off on my every day dialogue.