WATER
#61
Heading for Poppyland










Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,527
From: North Norfolk and northern New York State











Agree.
I have no problem using American words instead of the normal English word; trunk, pants, sidewalk etc., but I take exception to speaking with an American accent to be understood. First 2 yrs here I was angry with how they use the English language, now I'm far more relaxed about it
(and that's how they get you!) Not to worry anymore, we are returning to England this summer, but I will miss this place dearly (all bar the snow!)
I have no problem using American words instead of the normal English word; trunk, pants, sidewalk etc., but I take exception to speaking with an American accent to be understood. First 2 yrs here I was angry with how they use the English language, now I'm far more relaxed about it
(and that's how they get you!) Not to worry anymore, we are returning to England this summer, but I will miss this place dearly (all bar the snow!)
#62
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,147
From: Watford











The thing at the back of your car you put groceries in?
#63
Heading for Poppyland










Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,527
From: North Norfolk and northern New York State











#64
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0











#67
Banned










Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,035
From: california











It's not us Tykes who have a problem with the Yanks. it's the southerners, especially the Londoners.
Who could understand anyone who asks for a "glarss of wo'ah"
Who could understand anyone who asks for a "glarss of wo'ah"
#68
Heading for Poppyland










Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,527
From: North Norfolk and northern New York State











I was in a college class yesterday, we were talking about Shakespeare plays quoted in Return to the Forbidden Planet. Various people offered King Lear, Julius Caesar, etc. I decided to chance it, and speak up. I raised my hand, and speaking slowly and clearly, enunciated "Merchant of Venice."
Teacher looked confused. I repeated my observation. She still had no idea what I was saying. One other person repeated my contribution, so the teacher, looking relieved, was able to say "Ah, Merchant of Venice."
I kept quiet for the rest of the class...
#69
Banned










Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,035
From: california











Having lived in the U.S. for half my life, I sometimes feel like giving up, and just keeping quiet, confining my communication to email etc.
I was in a college class yesterday, we were talking about Shakespeare plays quoted in Return to the Forbidden Planet. Various people offered King Lear, Julius Caesar, etc. I decided to chance it, and speak up. I raised my hand, and speaking slowly and clearly, enunciated "Merchant of Venice."
Teacher looked confused. I repeated my observation. She still had no idea what I was saying. One other person repeated my contribution, so the teacher, looking relieved, was able to say "Ah, Merchant of Venice."
I kept quiet for the rest of the class...
I was in a college class yesterday, we were talking about Shakespeare plays quoted in Return to the Forbidden Planet. Various people offered King Lear, Julius Caesar, etc. I decided to chance it, and speak up. I raised my hand, and speaking slowly and clearly, enunciated "Merchant of Venice."
Teacher looked confused. I repeated my observation. She still had no idea what I was saying. One other person repeated my contribution, so the teacher, looking relieved, was able to say "Ah, Merchant of Venice."
I kept quiet for the rest of the class...
I had a couple of friends from France when I lived in Quebec, Canada. They couldn't understand about 3 words out of five the French spoken in that Province mainly due to pronunciation, They speak the dialect of that spoken in Normandy and Brittany back in the 17th century.
Much the same with Spanish. The Spanish spoken in Mexico sounds nothing like the lispy sounding Spanish of Spain,
Nations divided by a common language
#70
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,519
From: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels











I still have a British midlands accent but haven't had any problem making people understand me. I use American expressions which helps. I did cause some amusement by calling a flashlight a torch and a sling shot a catapult,
I had a couple of friends from France when I lived in Quebec, Canada. They couldn't understand about 3 words out of five the French spoken in that Province mainly due to pronunciation, They speak the dialect of that spoken in Normandy and Brittany back in the 17th century.
Much the same with Spanish. The Spanish spoken in Mexico sounds nothing like the lispy sounding Spanish of Spain,
Nations divided by a common language
I had a couple of friends from France when I lived in Quebec, Canada. They couldn't understand about 3 words out of five the French spoken in that Province mainly due to pronunciation, They speak the dialect of that spoken in Normandy and Brittany back in the 17th century.
Much the same with Spanish. The Spanish spoken in Mexico sounds nothing like the lispy sounding Spanish of Spain,
Nations divided by a common language
#71
a large, sturdy box or chest for holding or transporting clothes, personal effects, or other articles.
Last edited by johnwoo; May 14th 2016 at 11:07 am.
#72
Heading for Poppyland










Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,527
From: North Norfolk and northern New York State











Steamer trunk, cabin trunk? I think that's the origin of the American word for the storage area at the rear of a car. In early cars, it was actually a steamer trunk or similar, attached to the car...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...
#73










Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,507

Steamer trunk, cabin trunk? I think that's the origin of the American word for the storage area at the rear of a car. In early cars, it was actually a steamer trunk or similar, attached to the car...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...
#74
Steamer trunk, cabin trunk? I think that's the origin of the American word for the storage area at the rear of a car. In early cars, it was actually a steamer trunk or similar, attached to the car...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...
Why the British call it a boot, I don't know.
DO the British call it a boot? I'm now starting to doubt my distant memory...




