"Separated by Language"

[CajunCenturion]

In the past, we've had numerous discussions which touch on the differences in American English and British English. The following two links were posted in a similar discussion in Squaring The Circle.

From SF0751 - WWlib - Notes on American English
From flapeyre - The English-to-American Dictionary

Thanks guys for pointing them out.

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[columb]

Thanks for these CC.

We Brits tend not to have too many problems with US English because of the high exposure to US culture via the movies and TV. In fact, the first time I went to the States I got this constant feeling of living in a movie - if a little less dramatic.

Conversely, the relatively restricted range of British culture that is seen in the states seemed to lend itself to stereotypes. It would seem that we are either upper middle class types getting married in picturesque country churches, or cockneys - and somehow we seem to be a lot of villains nowadays. I wonder how much this reflects in the how much you Yanks find our language different.

Ceci n'est pas une signature
Columb Healy

 

[2ffat]

Blame it on Hollywood. They spend their lives speaking "Valley-speak" and forget the rest of the world doesn't ... like... speak that way. ;-)


James P. Cottingham
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[SilentAiche]

Columb,

I think you nailed it. For whatever reason, Brits seem far more familiar with American "cultural" exports via Hollywood than we Yanks are with British offerings. I suspect most Americans' education regarding your side of the pond comes from British television shows, usually comedies.

Many Americans, myself included, will tell you they don't always understand British humor, assuming they get past the accents to begin with. Also, I haven't noticed any uptick in British villainy lately.

Besides, if y'all were truly villeins, you'd be serfing the net!

tim

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[IknowMe]

In fact, the first time I went to the States I got this constant feeling of living in a movie - if a little less dramatic.

I hope the reverse is true also, as I've just begun planning my 'Benny Hill' vacation.


Wow, I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.
I think I've forgotten this before.

 

[Welshbird]

You just need to listen to lots of Cary Grant before you get here then all will be fine and dandy!


Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[columb]

Many Americans, myself included, will tell you they don't always understand British humor

An American living in London once said to me that British humour could be broken down into two main fields
[ol]
[li]Knickers (tee hee hee) - see Benny Hill, Carry On, McGill postcards etc. etc...[/li]
[li]Cambridge Footlights featuring sharp satire and surealism - see Monty Python, Secret Policeman's Ball, Who Dares Wins, League Of Gentlemen, etc.[/li]
[/ol]
I used to agree with this but where do you put 'The Office'?

Ceci n'est pas une signature
Columb Healy

 

[KenCunningham]

I think probably at 1½?

Seriously, there have recently been several examples of a relatively new genre, that being toe curlingly embarrassing to watch sometimes. I think the Office fits into that category as well as Alan Partridge, Marion and Geoff and the like.

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[Dagon]

I think many UK comedies are about people being trapped in situations they hate. For example, in Fawlty Towers, Basil Fawlty is stuck in a job he loathes, having to deal with guests that he considers to be beneath him. You can easily see the same thing in lots of other comedies e.g. Red Dwarf, Father Ted, Porridge, The League of Gentlemen etc.

This seems to be more of a trend than US comedies, or at least those that I've seen. For example, in Friends or Frazier, there's no real sense that the people are stuck in their respective situations. The friends in "Friends" aren't together because they can't find any other friends and Frazier isn't a radio host because he can't find any other job.

 

[Welshbird]

There is something perculiarily British about 'making the best of it' though. I think that's just a british thing generally rather tahn a genre of comedy.

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[drlex]

columb,
I recall a German person remarking as to 1) with the observation (and I paraphrase) 'for we Germans, the toilet is a prerequisite of bodily functions; for you English it is fortunately also the font of all humour'.

soi la, soi carré

 

[KenCunningham]

Agreed Fee. Making the best of a bad job is certainly one of those characteristics that seems to have survived since the war (WW II for the avoidance of doubt!).

Keep smiling through....and all that!!

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[KenCunningham]

drlex

I seem to remember something similar from one of the Blackadder series?

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[Welshbird]

Ken - musn't grumble eh!



Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[drlex]

Ken,
That must have been it; probably BA goes fourth. Time to watch them all again!

soi la, soi carré

 

[KenCunningham]

Indeed it is, I never tire of it.

Fee - isn't 'grumble' one of those words that sounds onamatapaeic (sp., probably) but isn't!? Wonderful word though.

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[porkchopexpress]

The mention of Alan Partridge reminded me of The Day Today fantastic if only they would show it again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/daytodaythe_66602470.shtml

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