| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4 5 6] > | Off topic: British offended by Americanisms Thread poster: Amy Duncan (X)
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Allison Wright (X) 
Portugal
Local time: 10:54
| Thank you, Nicole! | Jul 23, 2011 |
Nicole Schnell wrote: Andrew Swift wrote:
I have never seen such a comprehensive demolition job anywhere on this site before. Thank you very much, Nicole, for taking so much time and trouble to show up the sheer folly of these commentators. It was fun.
Glad you shared your compulsion and enjoyment, all the same.
| | | | Krzysztof Kajetanowicz (X)
Poland
Local time: 11:54
English to Polish
+ ...
Yours was a much needed post.
As far as the BCC website goes: to collect people's stupid ramblings is one thing, to publish them is another.
[Edited at 2011-07-25 08:02 GMT]
| | | | | as we often say | Jul 31, 2011 |
Divided by a common language
| | | | | Fortnight: too British, too old-fashioned... | Aug 3, 2011 |
neilmac wrote: Roy Williams wrote:
Most of us don't even know how long a fortnight really is and to be honest, it kinda' grates the ears (of US english speakrs). I was really surprised when I found out that "fortnight" isn't common currency in USA.
Right, "fortnight" may have been used in colonial times, i.e. before American English developed, but it has fallen out of use since then...I have to say I do not miss the word! It sounds too British, and too old-fashioned...
Here is an interesting note I found about the origin of the word:
Hadrian's Wall, built to guard the Romans northern England border against the marauding Scots, had forts situated at regular intervals along its length. Every two weeks the soldiers got to sleep inside them and this is where our term for two weeks, ‘Fortnight’ comes from.
Source: http://www.backroadstouring.co.uk/phraseorigins.php
MGrant
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Nicole Schnell wrote: 50. "I could care less" instead of "I couldn't care less" has to be the worst. Opposite meaning of what they're trying to say. Jonathan, Birmingham Good catch, Jonathan! "Could care less" is wrong. You won't hear this gem by a US native speaker.
Oh, yes you will!!!
| | | | Marina Steinbach
United States
Local time: 05:54
Member (2011)
English to German
Nesrin wrote:
It does seem that much of what people perceive as Americanisms aren't really what they are, or are simply alternative usages with slightly different meanings.
Hello Nesrin,
What a nice name you have. Although, your name doesn't sound like a typical UK name, hm? What kind of UKisms do people normally perceive, when they hear your name?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Marina
http://www.marina-steinbach.com
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:54
Russian to English
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In memoriam | Fortnight to do with forts? I doubt it. | Sep 2, 2011 |
I think the more obvious explanation that it is short for "fourteen nights" must be correct. In sixteenth century literature, you will also find the word "sennight" used to mean a week (seven nights). But this has now gone out of use completely on both sides of the pond.
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 02:54
English to German
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In memoriam | Why apply double standards? | Sep 2, 2011 |
Aleksandar Gasic wrote: Nicole Schnell wrote: 50. "I could care less" instead of "I couldn't care less" has to be the worst. Opposite meaning of what they're trying to say. Jonathan, Birmingham Good catch, Jonathan! "Could care less" is wrong. You won't hear this gem by a US native speaker. Oh, yes you will!!!
Of course you will hear or read this one at times. Either as a typo or uttered by an educationally less privileged person. This doesn't make it an Americanism.
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Ivana UK
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:54
Member (2005)
Italian to English
+ ...
| Fornight: etymology | Sep 2, 2011 |
Jack Doughty wrote:
I think the more obvious explanation that it is short for "fourteen nights" must be correct. In sixteenth century literature, you will also find the word "sennight" used to mean a week (seven nights). But this has now gone out of use completely on both sides of the pond.
fortnight
17c. contraction of M.E. fourteniht, from O.E. feowertyne niht, lit. "fourteen nights," preserving the ancient Germanic custom of reckoning by nights, mentioned by Tacitus in "Germania" xi. Related: Fortnightly.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fortnight
| | | | Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:54
Hebrew to English
| Offended by the wrong thing | Sep 2, 2011 |
I think the US > UK differences in language are always exaggerated. The differences are marginal, and rarely encroach onto mutual intelligibility.
As for the list, everybody has their own opinions about "good", "bad, or "ugly" usage of language. I wouldn't go as far as to call these people "idiots". I would challenge anyone on here who claims not to have a "pet peeve" with a word or phrase in English or their own language.
Therefore the list doesn't offend me in the sl... See more I think the US > UK differences in language are always exaggerated. The differences are marginal, and rarely encroach onto mutual intelligibility.
As for the list, everybody has their own opinions about "good", "bad, or "ugly" usage of language. I wouldn't go as far as to call these people "idiots". I would challenge anyone on here who claims not to have a "pet peeve" with a word or phrase in English or their own language.
Therefore the list doesn't offend me in the slightest. What does offend me is translation job advertisements asking for "US English ONLY". I'm sure they have their reasons, but it assumes English speakers of UK/Canada/Australia/New Zealand..." have no experience or access to US English, which is a fallacy. ▲ Collapse
| | | | juvera
Local time: 10:54
English to Hungarian
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| I finally found the time to look into this thread | Sep 4, 2011 |
Nicole Schnell wrote: I finally found the time to read the entire list. Unfortunately, ignorance seems to be widely spread. 1. When people ask for something, I often hear: "Can I get a..." It infuriates me. It's not New York. It's not the 90s. You're not in Central Perk with the rest of the Friends. Really." Steve, Rossendale, Lancashire It's "Central Park", not "perk". Also: "friends", not "Friends". It helps to master your own language before you criticize foreign ones.
Eeer.... no! Actually, Steve was talking about "Central Perk" and "Friends", not Central Park and friends.
[Edited at 2011-09-04 15:33 GMT]
[Edited at 2011-09-04 15:33 GMT]
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 02:54
English to German
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In memoriam | Apparently you didn't read the entire thread... | Sep 4, 2011 |
juvera wrote: Eeer.... no! Actually, Steve was talking about "Central Perk" and "Friends", not Central Park and friends.
Because Nesrin already stated on July 23rd that this phrase refers to a US TV series.
Nesrin wrote Just had to, as a "Friends" aficionada, let you know that the coffee shop where the friends regularly meet is indeed called "Central Perk"
Greetings!
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:54
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Another one I hate | Sep 4, 2011 |
Here's an Americanism I hate:
"Momentarily".
Yes, we translators know what that means, but a lot of Americans think it means something else.
[Edited at 2011-09-04 22:46 GMT]
| | | | | culture difference | Sep 5, 2011 |
There always exists culture difference, we should accept it and tolerate.
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 02:54
English to German
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In memoriam | Thanks, Mona! | Sep 5, 2011 |
Mona99 wrote:
There always exists culture difference, we should accept it and tolerate.
I am amazed that the word "hate" made its way into this thread.
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