Posted on 10/29/2004 8:03:13 AM PDT by Jakarta ex-pat
If terrorists had flown airplanes into 10 Downing Street three years ago, and not into New York's World Trade Center, we might all refer to that attack as 11/9 rather than 9/11. Why? Because dates in British English are written with the day followed by the month (and year) whereas in American English it is the reverse.
This is just one of thousands of confusing quirks that make England and America, to quote George Bernard Shaw, "two countries divided by a common language."
Spelling, punctuation, pronunciation and elements of grammar vary from "standard" British to American English: the same word can have different - even opposing - meanings. And this is without mentioning the vast array of expressions, slang words and jargon which can be particular to just one town, never mind a country.
English was taken by British imperialists to every continent across the globe from the 17th to the 19th centuries, including, of course, America. It was the rise of the United States in the 20th century, however, which saw American version of the English language come to prominence in global business, trade and culture.
People across the world learning English as a second language are often confused by the variants in its usage. The best advice a teacher can give is to stick to one standard version and be consistent. But which one?
Language students in Japan, for example, express a preference for American English since it is to the United States that they look for opportunities in business and trade.
"Most of my students are businessmen who are sponsored by their company to learn English," says David Bird, an English teacher at Japan's largest private school chain Nova. "Even though I'm British, I spend all day teaching phrases like 'that's way too much' or 'what a crock!' I think I'd be shot dead in my native Canterbury if I used them."
Conversely, Russians tend to prefer British English, says William Hackett-Jones, editorial director of the St. Petersburg-based English-language learners' monthly "Hot English" magazine.
"Russians are such Anglophiles that it's amazing," he says. "They ask for British teachers with southern English accents - that's their ideal."
As for matters of spelling and usage (for the record The St. Petersburg Times uses American English), Hackett-Jones says his magazine tries to reflect the variants in the English language.
"'Hot English magazine' has an inclination toward British English, but we try to accommodate and recognize the differences between it and, say, Australian English, as well as those between British and American English," he says. "We have an American Special coming up which followed our British Special in September."
For people learning English as a second language, however, differences in its standard forms can be confusing. Hackett-Jones tells of people sometimes complaining to him that certain spellings and usage in "Hot English" are wrong, when in fact they simply conform to an alternative form of accepted usage.
"There's a certain snobbiness toward American English [from Russians]," says Hackett-Jones which can lead them to make value judgements about the variants in the language.
How about a nice Toad in the Hole? Or, perhaps, some Bubble and Squeak?
A number two?
Ping!
Screw ya for a fag
Bubble & squeak is great, maybe with a side of yorkshire pudding, but no thanks to the toadies!
I have noticed a tendency lately for some Americans to favor English usage. I hear more and more people talking about being "in hospital," about candidates "standing for election," etc.
"15 posts and not one mention of wanker yet??? "
What's John Kerry got do with it.
"15 posts and not one mention of wanker yet??? "
What's John Kerry got do with it.
No, "you're taking the piss", i.e. your making fun of.
Yes, there is a learning curve. I don't always finish, but usually get at least 3/4.
It's reprinted in the NY Post. They're about 20 days behind the UK.
The FT puzzle is a little easier.
"Talk about impossible, I tried to do a crossword in the Financial Times once...I might have had one word correct."
It's pink...& hard!
LOL!
I have a question about an English word if you or someone else could clue me in I would appreciate it- what is a mackintosh? Is it like a bathrobe or a cardigan sweater? Or am I not even close?
And some Spotted Dick for afters!
A Mackintosh is a raincoat.
Its a raincoat.
Thank you!
All washed down with a slippery nipple?
Thanks! I read it in a book awhile back and have been meaning to find out what it was ever since.
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