Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Easter with Brits: My weekend homestay


I spent my long Easter weekend in the Brazilian countryside with a group of Brits (and a Mexican but she is married to a Brit and thus guilty by association).

It was an extremely fun weekend but also educational. I had heard, while growing up, that they speak English in England but I am here to tell you that they don't.

It seems that they speak a sister language.  Think of it as pig-latin but without the rhyme and reason.  It really was mind blowing. I had moments where I wished I had brought a handy English to British English dictionary. Lucky for me, these Brits could translate into an English that I understood. Phew, crisis adverted!

It's amazing these lovely people manage to communicate with the rest of the world in this "English." I for one was quite embarrassed by my lack of knowledge of it. I mean I do speak ghetto Portuguese and horribly bad Spangish. I thought I was one of those gifted in the art of communication.

Just to clear some things up, I would like to show what my wonderful British friends consider English.  Here is a small list with English followed by the British version of English.

  • Line: Queue
  • Eggplant: Aubergine
  • 2 week stay: A fortnight (I'd like to know the history of this bad boy)
  • Cupcake: Fairy cake (??)
  • Busy: Engaged (don't know why anyone would ever find a British person pretentious) 
  • Pacifier: Dummy
  • Trash: Bin
  • License plate: Number plate
  • Strainer: colander (Pronounced: Call Un Der)
Just to keep things straight between the two countries, I have started studying British English. I figure if Angelina Jolie can do it, I can ace it.

Well I'm off to snog my husband and drink a lager.

Look at me, I'm international already! 

For those interested, here is a handy online dictionary: http://www.travelfurther.net/dictionaries/index.htm


Ranted by Rachel at 7:40 AM
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17 comments:

  1. Lolla May 3, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Never say "british english". They call it english, pure and simple. What americans speak are "americanisms". :)

    I am married to a defender of the Queen's english, but I do not take sides. I think some words are better in british english, while others make more sense in american english. So, being brazilian, I have the privilege as using both. For example, I never say "eggplant", but "fairy cake" is kind of silly. :)

    p.s.: Same thing happens in portuguese. I sometimes cannot understand my friends from Portugal (and vice versa) and often resort to speaking english with each other. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. TupinikinNosEUAMay 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I knew that!!!! Some 30+ years ago when I learned English I went to a school called Cultura Inglesa e Americana. Yes, I forgot the british words, the only thing I remember is that to sound british I had to pretend I had a hot potato in my mouth... :D

    Oh, btw, thank goodness for subtitles... couldn't watch a british movie without it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RachelMay 3, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I knew I wasn't alone in this!

    Lolla, I called it British English to tease the Brits. I am very aware of "American English" ;))

    ReplyDelete
  4. RachelMay 3, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 3, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Every word you described as British we use in Australia as well! :)

    xx Ejla

    ReplyDelete
  6. DanaMay 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Trousers = pants
    Pants = underpants

    But here's the weirdest: they sell the maple syrup in the ice cream aisle, along with the hot fudge...

    ReplyDelete
  7. RachelMay 3, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Well now we Americans are just out numbered!

    ReplyDelete
  8. RachelMay 3, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    OMG, that's just wrong! Maple Syrup should be with cereals and pancake mix!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SimonMay 3, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    don't even start on what a fanny is!

    Just to clear it up and make reference easier how about we go with English and American, I think this is easier for all.

    P.S. Could you please start pronouncing Aluminium correctly, that one really grates every time I hear it, that also goes for Iraq (not eye-raq).

    Thank You.

    ReplyDelete
  10. RachelMay 3, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I will give you Aluminium if you give me mask. It is not Moshk. It's mask!

    ReplyDelete
  11. andreaMay 3, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    The one that really had me wondering what disease the person had was the first time I heard someone say that they were wearing "trainers" (as in type of shoes). Later on I went to discover they were sneakers. But really, they train you to do what exactly??

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMay 3, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    ...and don't forget:

    diaper = nappy
    stroller = push chair
    elevator = lift

    I know of a few others, but it's late, and my mind is fried!

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMay 3, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    ...just remembered another one:

    sweater = jumper

    ReplyDelete
  14. number plate makersMay 4, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    The model in the photos looks familiar to me are they a Victoria Secret models?

    ReplyDelete
  15. apricocoMay 5, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    I'll defend colander as a possible regional Americanism as well. I grew up calling it that as well (both parents from New York and Boston).

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMay 23, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I LOVE british accent....in fact if u know any cute single british guy let me know...: )

    ReplyDelete
  17. RachelMay 23, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I'd love to but you are anonymous. How will I ever find you? ;)

    ReplyDelete

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