tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post3899461601449819687..comments2023-12-23T20:39:16.612+01:00Comments on A Femme d'Un Certain Age: Parlez-Vous Anglais?Tish Jetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-21956668100822529732012-12-12T15:12:31.465+01:002012-12-12T15:12:31.465+01:00There is something about being so exuberant that c...There is something about being so exuberant that comes across as rather child-like and therefore unsophisticated or even simple, as in foolish. However, being continually understated can seem to lack engagement and warmth. It's a tough choice, but I think I'd prefer to be child-like rather than snooty. I've introduced my husband's family (children, mother and sister) to having hugs in greetings and farewells, something that was definitely foreign to them but which I cannot ever regret.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-33803001315002249662012-12-12T15:12:31.180+01:002012-12-12T15:12:31.180+01:00There is something about being so exuberant that c...There is something about being so exuberant that comes across as rather child-like and therefore unsophisticated or even simple, as in foolish. However, being continually understated can seem to lack engagement and warmth. It's a tough choice, but I think I'd prefer to be child-like rather than snooty. I've introduced my husband's family (children, mother and sister) to having hugs in greetings and farewells, something that was definitely foreign to them but which I cannot ever regret.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-41837133205184277752012-12-12T12:52:06.886+01:002012-12-12T12:52:06.886+01:00@Deb -- in my family's neck of New England, th...@Deb -- in my family's neck of New England, things are "wicked awesome."<br /><br />Much more better kind, you know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-48861078094511057632012-12-12T08:55:57.575+01:002012-12-12T08:55:57.575+01:00As an Australian having just visited the US, I was...As an Australian having just visited the US, I was often mistaken for British. So I found myself uttering old fashioned Ockerisms (Australia slang) and bewildering my sister-in-law's family.<br /><br />The main thing I notice is that North Americans seem to be more formal in their communications with people they don't know. Whereas Aussies treat everyone they meet as long lost family.<br /><br />Thongs/Flip Flops<br />Jumper/Sweater<br />Sloppy Joe/Sweatshirt<br /><br />That last one caused some confusion I can tell you!<br />ann.about.townhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185799799297527338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-21400161063108980712012-12-12T00:51:17.543+01:002012-12-12T00:51:17.543+01:00Hello Tish
What an amusing post. I remember heari...Hello Tish<br /><br />What an amusing post. I remember hearing that a friend of mine got a new davenport (sofa, couch or settee)<br />Dust Bin/Garbage Pail/Trash Can ..sure they are all rubbish.<br /><br />Have a glorious week<br /><br />Helenxx<br /><br />helen tilstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02791882664528962799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-49513186592288621962012-12-11T23:19:27.306+01:002012-12-11T23:19:27.306+01:00Could these comments be any better? No. Or perhaps...Could these comments be any better? No. Or perhaps that is just my American overenthusiasm. Which when writing to my Sister means an email ending only with:!!!<br /> or :) or ;) sigh. Yes, that's us.<br />One other tiny thing to add, kind of on topic are folks like myself, Americans that grew up reading tons of English literature and so get the spelling all wrong. Gray? Grey? I don't know! (yes, !)<br />xo,<br />HeatherHeather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-36004960212876511972012-12-11T23:07:30.628+01:002012-12-11T23:07:30.628+01:00Oh pumpkin, Oscar Wilde was IRISH... now you'r...Oh pumpkin, Oscar Wilde was IRISH... now you're getting into a WHOLE different version of the English language. You can sit in a pub in Dublin, and it's all English, and still not understand a word of it...The Vivenne Fileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740975051742023907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-51111852854503346282012-12-11T21:42:28.416+01:002012-12-11T21:42:28.416+01:00In 1979 I came to England from Canada to live for ...In 1979 I came to England from Canada to live for a year, & one of the first people I met in England, a professor of English Literature, warned me, "Just be warned that this is a foreign country". <br /><br />I had never thought of England that way because when I was growing up in Canada, it was still attached to the British Empire. I was familiar with British expressions, food, government & customs.<br /> <br />However, as the year wore on, I got teased about how I spoke, expressions I used, & so on. Some of it was not pleasant!<br /><br />Canadians are neither Americans (although we are North Americans) nor are we British, but we share a lot of the same "language" with both. <br /><br />BTW, superlatives don't bother me - I LOVE enthusiastic dialogue. <br /><br />LynneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-29993673873051602692012-12-11T21:09:14.851+01:002012-12-11T21:09:14.851+01:00Something I've found moving from New Zealand t...Something I've found moving from New Zealand to the UK is that Brits tend to be a lot more self deprecating and indirect when they speak. New Zealanders (and Australians even more so) tend to be more direct. South Africans can come across as blunt to the point of rudenss (it's the Dutchness, I think) but the ones I've met (and there've been many) have been lovely warm, hospitable folks.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />EleanorjaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-20458034714646599032012-12-11T20:54:54.678+01:002012-12-11T20:54:54.678+01:00Wow,here in the UK charming,adorable,super,lovely,...Wow,here in the UK charming,adorable,super,lovely,divine,sweet,fabulous are certainly used in my part of the world.....surely not just the Shires?<br /><br />Black mark for moi as I tend to say oh American spelling when I see colour spelt color etc,enjoy teasing my friends from across the pond about this.....still must be a tad careful as our humour is also different!! IdaJudith https://www.blogger.com/profile/03634258386057489997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-71987911963445026362012-12-11T20:04:11.743+01:002012-12-11T20:04:11.743+01:00I like the term 'brilliant'.
Of couse, bei...I like the term 'brilliant'.<br />Of couse, being southern i say holy- moly and yeehaw.<br />Perhaps i should switch to 'brilliant'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-596468484035694332012-12-11T20:02:07.783+01:002012-12-11T20:02:07.783+01:00My thought is that we Americans under-use our voca...My thought is that we Americans under-use our vocabulary. THat is, we only use about half of the available words, so we overuse those and that leads to using "vocal expression" to show whether we mean "neat" or "NEAT". i think it's a shame and would like to see us use more of our words. (you might wish i would use more of my capitals, but that is a different discussion!)webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168174623602308906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-45833272476978096452012-12-11T19:53:34.948+01:002012-12-11T19:53:34.948+01:00Joseph The Butler: Amen!
can we talk about "a...Joseph The Butler: Amen!<br />can we talk about "awesome"? In New England, everything is awesome- socks, the weather, meeting schedules. I try to never say it, even thought I do (rarely) come across something that is indeed awesome. Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13511631567616736339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-51832423942146165702012-12-11T19:44:08.082+01:002012-12-11T19:44:08.082+01:00After 8 years in Florida I do find American enthus...After 8 years in Florida I do find American enthusiasm to be quite charming, but it took some getting used to.<br /><br />BTW an appetizer in the US is a 'starter' or 'first course' in the UK. Entree in the US='main' in the UK. Dessert in the US= 'pudding' in the UK. Not that it really matters...Trudynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-12451596725156222902012-12-11T19:39:55.627+01:002012-12-11T19:39:55.627+01:00I grew up in a third world country, was sent away ...I grew up in a third world country, was sent away to an English boarding school, and on to university in America. If Americans are too enthusiatic and hyperbolics, count me in, because I've never left...:) Amelianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-83833798338050943632012-12-11T19:35:09.032+01:002012-12-11T19:35:09.032+01:00Tish, I can relate to this..:)
I have become a lit...Tish, I can relate to this..:)<br />I have become a little accustomed to the British way after 13 years .. and when I go back to Australia it takes a little while to get used to the familiarity. I do love the enthusiasm of the Aussies and the Americans... <br />I find France much more formal too... xvvicki archerhttp://vickiarcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-25569522045849284952012-12-11T19:23:07.540+01:002012-12-11T19:23:07.540+01:00Tish - this is a fascinating post! I was aware of ...Tish - this is a fascinating post! I was aware of many of the language variations but never knew about the Americans being considered overly dramatic. Now that I think about, it is SO true! <br /><br />Enjoy your day! xoxoxo Sandy at You May Be Wanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108555245405638530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-21676990091603091502012-12-11T18:57:26.924+01:002012-12-11T18:57:26.924+01:00"Blessed" is the curse of the weak."Blessed" is the curse of the weak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-73622139302910410202012-12-11T18:19:24.757+01:002012-12-11T18:19:24.757+01:00Coming from a totally different world, having atte...Coming from a totally different world, having attended a school run by Roman Catholic nuns from USA decades ago, I find American English more familiar.<br />Yet all the super words seem odd, funny, sometimes even extremely irritating, as we Finns are not used to express ourselves in such an ( awesome ) way. <br />Yet I´d like to hear English spoken by an Australian and Canadian and compare the differences.mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-26413175200933481892012-12-11T17:45:24.139+01:002012-12-11T17:45:24.139+01:00Interesting discussion. As an American, I'm ap...Interesting discussion. As an American, I'm apparently too understated. I often find that my statements are not taken seriously unless I'm overly dramatic. Since I find dramatic personalities annoying and obnoxious, it's a constant issue for me. <br /><br />Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01421770730610332217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-62259096254909645692012-12-11T17:35:40.004+01:002012-12-11T17:35:40.004+01:00My brother lives in NYC and has been known to utte...My brother lives in NYC and has been known to utter the odd 'awesome' but on the whole we English prefer understatement. That's Not My Agehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16052973075052114955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-56153988240268467422012-12-11T17:04:51.658+01:002012-12-11T17:04:51.658+01:00I always love to read about and discuss languages....I always love to read about and discuss languages...I find it fascinating. I live in a city which is mostly bilingual...Texan (yes I mean Texan!) and Spanish. Both cultures are over the top...so I tend to be when I write and when I speak. But, I also love the demur and sedate cultures and my desire is to be teachable and learn from them. Pam @ over50feeling40https://www.blogger.com/profile/15271159201006142602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-34185934114792415032012-12-11T16:24:30.196+01:002012-12-11T16:24:30.196+01:00I lived in London for a few years and while settin...I lived in London for a few years and while setting up my household upon my arrival, I found myself at Harrods looking for a dust ruffle for my bed. I asked the ever so gracious saleslady in the bedding and linens department for a dust ruffle and she said to me, "love we sell those in the window treatments department". Thinking that was odd, I took myself to the window treatments area, and spoke to the gracious saleslady there and once again I repeated my request and she handed me a curtain valance for windows. I looked at her oddly and said to myself "this won't fit my bed. She laughed and said, "oh you mean a bed skirt love" which made sense to me after she said it. That was my first week in London. I knew then that the languages while both called English, were not the same and I was going to have to do some translation work. It always made me laugh.angiemanzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832399208548135579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-73115174681196426782012-12-11T16:24:09.929+01:002012-12-11T16:24:09.929+01:00I had a Scottish roommate when I lived in Chile. S...I had a Scottish roommate when I lived in Chile. She almost fell out of her chair in shock when I made a casual reference to a fanny pack.the gold diggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09134199198587591427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-77161879233307792132012-12-11T16:08:24.641+01:002012-12-11T16:08:24.641+01:00There are a lot more differences than those as wel...There are a lot more differences than those as well. I grew up with them. In some ways, one needs a translator. You would be surprised at just how many things are different after all. It is also attitude that is different as well as mere words. But then, we are different peoples.hopflowernoreply@blogger.com