Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 17, 2019 We've been watching the Great British Baking Show, and I realized those folks have no idea how to pronounce the most simple words. For example, "cayenne" and "chipotle" are absolutely destroyed. When they rattle off the list of ingredients - while also displaying a graphic with some of those ingredients spelled out - I can only laugh as my mind connects what they say versus what is written. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2019 Of course, I am sure you know that neither of those words are English, but that is besides the point. Languages migrated and changed as they did so. There are plenty of Brits that claim Americans bastardized the language. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2019 Just now, Wilbur said: Of course, I am sure you know that neither of those words are English, but that is besides the point. Languages migrated and changed as they did so. There are plenty of Brits that claim Americans bastardized the language. Does he know for sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted January 17, 2019 17 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: Does he know for sure? I know their proper pronunciation is the American way! Our way or the highway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2019 The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language. George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #6 Posted January 17, 2019 21 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: I know their proper pronunciation is the American way! Our way or the highway. He didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted January 17, 2019 Share #7 Posted January 17, 2019 4 minutes ago, JerrySTL said: The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language. George Bernard Shaw I thought that was George S Patton?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 17, 2019 Share #8 Posted January 17, 2019 54 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: We've been watching the Great British Baking Show, and I realized those folks have no idea how to pronounce the most simple words. For example, "cayenne" and "chipotle" are absolutely destroyed. When they rattle off the list of ingredients - while also displaying a graphic with some of those ingredients spelled out - I can only laugh as my mind connects what they say versus what is written. Amazing. The English, are a lot better at English, than we are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted January 17, 2019 Share #9 Posted January 17, 2019 38 minutes ago, late said: The English, are a lot better at English, than we are. Pffffft That's obserd absord absurd. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted January 17, 2019 53 minutes ago, late said: The English, are a lot better at English, than we are. Written or spoken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 17, 2019 Share #11 Posted January 17, 2019 6 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Written or spoken? Both. If you google british eloquence and scroll down to an article by the Financial Times, that will explain. The website wouldn't let me cut and paste, or even link to the page, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted January 17, 2019 9 minutes ago, late said: Both. If you google british eloquence and scroll down to an article by the Financial Times, that will explain. The website wouldn't let me cut and paste, or even link to the page, sorry. Do you ever actually listen to Brits speak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #13 Posted January 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: I know their proper pronunciation is the American way! Our way or the highway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted January 17, 2019 6 minutes ago, jsharr said: Man, we could really do with an official "American" language. It would simply be English spoken and written properly. Heck, that would make my day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Share #15 Posted January 17, 2019 It's time for you to move to England and then ask for them to make lots of changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted January 17, 2019 1 minute ago, maddmaxx said: It's time for you to move to England and then ask for them to make lots of changes. Why do you hate America? Love it or leave it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 17, 2019 Share #17 Posted January 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: Do you ever actually listen to Brits speak? Of course. Did you read the FT article? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted January 17, 2019 14 minutes ago, late said: Of course. Did you read the FT article? I still am too shocked to believe that 1) you have indeed heard Brits speak English, and 2) think that is a better way to speak it than the American way. Once the shock subsides, I may try to track down your article for you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 17, 2019 Share #19 Posted January 17, 2019 Just now, Razors Edge said: I still am too shocked to believe that 1) you have indeed heard Brits speak English, and 2) think that is a better way to speak it than the American way. Once the shock subsides, I may try to track down your article for you ? I've been an Anglophile since the 70s. But it doesn't have to be just the classy stuff. I loved the original Top Gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #20 Posted January 17, 2019 4 minutes ago, late said: I've been an Anglophile since the 70s. But it doesn't have to be just the classy stuff. I loved the original Top Gear. I like British TV, music, movies, whatnot, but I still can't pretend they aren't speaking an odd version of English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffJim Posted January 17, 2019 Share #21 Posted January 17, 2019 Ever hear them pronounce controversy with the emphasis on the 2nd syllable. Just crazy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 17, 2019 Share #22 Posted January 17, 2019 55 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: I like British TV, music, movies, whatnot, but I still can't pretend they aren't speaking an odd version of English. They feel the same, of course, but being English they feel somewhat proprietary about English.. The truth is, no one owns a language. It changes constantly, and varies from place to place and time to time. One of things I like about how they do it is the way they see language as a playground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #23 Posted January 17, 2019 18 minutes ago, late said: They feel the same, of course, but being English they feel somewhat proprietary about English.. The truth is, no one owns a language. It changes constantly, and varies from place to place and time to time. One of things I like about how they do it is the way they see language as a playground. Have you ever visited the UK? If so, ask yourself if you were ever not understood. Then ask yourself if you ever couldn't understand what they were saying. Compare that to when you go to other English speaking countries. In CAnada, there should be very little misunderstanding - in either direction. In Australia or New Zealand? Some chance for a misunderstanding of what they are saying, but unlikely that they misunderstand you, and, like the US, more so the more rural you go. I think that standard American is now the universal English language - especially when spoken. Spelling and definitions may trail that reality, but they will eventually catch up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Share #24 Posted January 18, 2019 19 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Have you ever visited the UK? If so, ask yourself if you were ever not understood. Then ask yourself if you ever couldn't understand what they were saying. Compare that to when you go to other English speaking countries. In CAnada, there should be very little misunderstanding - in either direction. In Australia or New Zealand? Some chance for a misunderstanding of what they are saying, but unlikely that they misunderstand you, and, like the US, more so the more rural you go. I think that standard American is now the universal English language - especially when spoken. Spelling and definitions may trail that reality, but they will eventually catch up. US broadcasters still use Canadians because they are perceived as having neutral accents. I have never had trouble understanding English anywhere but small towns in the deep southern US. Everywhere else is easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Share #25 Posted January 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Wilbur said: US broadcasters still use Canadians because they are perceived as having neutral accents. I have never had trouble understanding English anywhere but small towns in the deep southern US. Everywhere else is easy. I used to think this until I went to the Isle of Skye. A guy told me 3 times a joke and to this day I have no idea what he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share #26 Posted January 18, 2019 4 minutes ago, Dottles said: I used to think this until I went to the Isle of Skye. A guy told me 3 times a joke and to this day I have no idea what he said. You are clearly mistaken. Or a moran. Or both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Share #27 Posted January 18, 2019 48 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: You are clearly mistaken. Or a moran. Or both. Mistaken moran has a nice ring to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share #28 Posted January 18, 2019 7 minutes ago, Dottles said: Mistaken moran has a nice ring to it. Quick test - how do you pronounce "oregano"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Share #29 Posted January 18, 2019 Or-your-anus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share #30 Posted January 18, 2019 22 minutes ago, Dottles said: Or-your-anus Close. Soooo close. You may be 95% Brit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 18, 2019 Share #31 Posted January 18, 2019 13 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Close. Soooo close. You may be 95% Brit. or-a-GA-no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 18, 2019 Share #32 Posted January 18, 2019 4 hours ago, Razors Edge said: Have you ever visited the UK? If so, ask yourself if you were ever not understood. Then ask yourself if you ever couldn't understand what they were saying. Compare that to when you go to other English speaking countries. In CAnada, there should be very little misunderstanding - in either direction. In Australia or New Zealand? Some chance for a misunderstanding of what they are saying, but unlikely that they misunderstand you, and, like the US, more so the more rural you go. I think that standard American is now the universal English language - especially when spoken. Spelling and definitions may trail that reality, but they will eventually catch up. They do have a lot of dialects, don't they. We're talking past each other, which is fine. " Humour is the cornerstone of the British society. It is used in numerous ways: to establish a positive atmosphere, to create a sense of togetherness, to bridge differences, to introduce risky ideas, to criticise, to show appreciation or contempt of a person. British people joke about everything including the queen, politicians, religion, themselves and you! You'd better get used to that. Humour is often combined with understatement. Depending on the tone "Not bad" can actually mean "very good" and "not bad at all" might be the highest praise you ever get from a Brit... In contrast to for instance Americans, Germans and Dutch, British people have a quite indirect communication style... . Like the Japanese and the Chinese culture, the British culture is a high context culture. Words are not enough, you have to know the background and context to understand the message and interpret tone, expression and non-verbal behaviour." https://harzing.com/resources/living-and-working-abroad/british-culture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 18, 2019 Share #33 Posted January 18, 2019 5 minutes ago, late said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onbike1939 Posted January 18, 2019 Share #34 Posted January 18, 2019 There is a danger in speaking of a "British accent" in that there is no such thing. Accents here vary according to location and may be wildly diverse. It has been said that the American spelling and usage of words are more similar to the original that was in use at the time of the first settlers. I just want you to know that over here in Scotland I actively campaign for American tourists to be treated more gently by the locals.......much in the fashion of those unfortunate people with learning difficulties......... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffJim Posted January 18, 2019 Share #35 Posted January 18, 2019 I always puzzled that the Beatles had thick almost ununderstandable accents in interviews, but their songs seemed like they had little or no accent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 18, 2019 Share #36 Posted January 18, 2019 1 hour ago, BuffJim said: I always puzzled that the Beatles had thick almost ununderstandable accents in interviews, but their songs seemed like they had little or no accent. You had trouble with a Liverpudlian accent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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