Quote:
Originally Posted by duo797
Just for extra emphasis, the same words can be used to mean different things between america and england. I wasn't aware that torch was the british 'flashlight', but if you mention a torch to someone in america they would picture something more like the olympic torch. Also, I've heard that a napkin means something very different to a british person when compared to an american person.
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Being a native Brit who moved away to Canada when quite young, and having worked in the US for a spell, this topic about the 3 Englishes is quite amusing. I also have Australian relatives.
For the most part the differences are quite few as far as the technical aspect of the language, however the huge differences are found in dialect, accent and colloquialisms.
These "brogues" are so twisted and ingrained, native speakers have issues understanding their fellow countrymen.
Australia, parts of the US and most certainly the UK have a wide range of spoken "brogue." One has to have a nimble ear to survive with their "English" in these native "English" speaking countries.
I exempt most of Canada from this conundrum, except for a few regions, they know who they are.
Where I was from in England people would say (phonetically as an example) "Ast geen wom?" Translated from English to English... "Are you going home?"
And so there you have it... like tasty foods, spoken language can be thick and hearty like well simmered stew.
As always... we should celebrate our differences.
Me?
Well... I am multilingual in dozens of English variations. It is almost a hobby of mine telling people which town the were born in... two minutes after they have spoken two words.
