2008 Woodie Awards
A Crash Course in Linguistics and Culture
Nicole D’Andrea
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
A body of water separates the United States and England, both speak the same language, so how different can they be? It is a situation in which the saying, "It's the little things that count" really applies, as both are really not terribly unlike. There are, however, slight variations that make living in England that much more of an adventure.
Both countries may speak the same language, but at first glance the similarities, besides the basic vocabulary, are few and far between. There is, of course, the illustrious English accent, which by default makes everyone in London that much more attractive than the majority of the population in New York. The accent, which is easier to understand the more one surrounds him or herself in it, is the most obvious difference, and like in the States, different parts of England, even different neighborhoods of London, have their own accents.
The variations in vocabulary are probably the most fun to figure out and one of the most common dilemmas that Americans face. It is also, however, one of the easiest to resolve. For example, instead of asking, "How are classes?" a Briton will ask, "How's Uni?" "Uni" is short for university, which is what Englanders call college.
There are the basics, which one can figure out with a spot of common sense, such as the word "lift" for elevator. There are too many to count, but some of the more common ones include the following: the cash register is known as the "tell," "knackered" means tired, and apartments are "flats." One of the largest department stores here, with various branches around London, called Marks and Spencers, has been renamed Marks and Sparks by much of the British population. Overall, it seems that the British have simplified and shorter versions of words that Americans have.
Then there is also cockney, which probably deserves an article in itself. It has been called a new language "revolution" which has infiltrated itself into British linguistics. It is completely based off of rhyme. For example, hand is called "German band" and fingers are "bell ringers." Cockney is almost its own dialect of English as its known in Britain, and it can be hard to discern what people are saying when speaking it.
Both countries may speak the same language, but at first glance the similarities, besides the basic vocabulary, are few and far between. There is, of course, the illustrious English accent, which by default makes everyone in London that much more attractive than the majority of the population in New York. The accent, which is easier to understand the more one surrounds him or herself in it, is the most obvious difference, and like in the States, different parts of England, even different neighborhoods of London, have their own accents.
The variations in vocabulary are probably the most fun to figure out and one of the most common dilemmas that Americans face. It is also, however, one of the easiest to resolve. For example, instead of asking, "How are classes?" a Briton will ask, "How's Uni?" "Uni" is short for university, which is what Englanders call college.
There are the basics, which one can figure out with a spot of common sense, such as the word "lift" for elevator. There are too many to count, but some of the more common ones include the following: the cash register is known as the "tell," "knackered" means tired, and apartments are "flats." One of the largest department stores here, with various branches around London, called Marks and Spencers, has been renamed Marks and Sparks by much of the British population. Overall, it seems that the British have simplified and shorter versions of words that Americans have.
Then there is also cockney, which probably deserves an article in itself. It has been called a new language "revolution" which has infiltrated itself into British linguistics. It is completely based off of rhyme. For example, hand is called "German band" and fingers are "bell ringers." Cockney is almost its own dialect of English as its known in Britain, and it can be hard to discern what people are saying when speaking it.