Dialect and culture: UK vs USA

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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:53 pm

/\/\ I'm not sure if we are discussing handegg or rounders now.

Sold_Me_Out wrote:

The old Doctor Who was better, from 1960's to 80's... saw them on video, as I am to young to have seen them on TV

They started a new series around 20044

20044? Well, that's time travel for you.

My favourite Dr Who era was when he had an American assistant, Peri, but for all the wrong reasons..

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:01 pm

Quote:

College - Any team that plays and can beat U of Michigan!

You mean there is a team out there somewhere that can beat U of M??

LOL, I know. Someone should have asked that question in 2007. I went to my first U of M game at the Big house and it had to be the embarrasing loss to App state. (What an aweful year that was)

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:09 pm

Quote:

My favourite Dr Who era was when he had an American assistant, Peri, but for all the wrong reasons..

Did she always dress like this? I must watch Dr. Who now!! Cool

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:17 pm

No kidding, What was the actresses name? Maybe time for a google search. LOL. I gotta make sure the love lads haven't used any of her pics for a scam ya know?

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:30 pm

real name : Nicola Bryant

and she's English.

and Phwoar! did a Google search for images.....

Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 57

A question for our friends across the pond Smile

What does the British accent sound like to you? And is it true that you always expect it to be the stereo typical David Niven type?

I wouldn't expect you would understand Scottish people

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:57 am

Inspector Gadget wrote:

...and Phwoar! did a Google search for images.....

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:29 pm

Quote:

A question for our friends across the pond

What does the British accent sound like to you? And is it true that you always expect it to be the stereo typical David Niven type?

I wouldn't expect you would understand Scottish people

1) An episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus
2) Yes
3) No we cannot

I have calls almost daily with both Brits and Scots. The Scots are very difficult to understand. The Brits not as much, but they always have fun slang.

It would be much easier if everyone just spoke American (it's an elevator, not a lift...it's a cell phone, not a mobile).

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

Sold_Me_Out wrote:

I wouldn't expect you would understand Scottish people

Sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BncDeMO_en0#!

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:32 am

I've been to the UK 3 times. First two to Scotland and Northern England, last trip, strictly the NE (near Newcastle) I quickly got the hang of understanding both accents (though nobody seemed to have a problem understanding me)

I tried my Scottish accents to my friends I visited in Edinburgh, they laughed a LOT, then told me not to try anymore!!

You want funky accent? Newfoundland English!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8rIbitJAbQ

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:08 pm

^^^I once spent a day in Newcastle and found the local dialect more challenging than Scotland's. I had to listen carefully and hang on every word to understand what was being said. Like you, I had no problem being understood.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:40 pm

A few years ago I watched an episode of 'Auf Wiedersehn, Pet' (UK television series about a group of builders from the 'geordie' area of North East England - except for Barry, the Brummie Laughing

). I had family in the area so was used to hearing it, and once I'd got tuned into the accent I was fine.

After the programme my English friend turned to me and said 'I didn't understand a word of that'.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 57

Last year I went to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, and I thought it was great

Have any of you guys ever been, and which side is the best?

Cheers

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:28 am

/\/\ I don't understand what that has to do with Language.FWIW Ive only ever been to the Canadian side, and the wet bit in the middle, so I couldn't choose, but it was spectacular. I still have my Maid of the Mist rain cape.

There were no Nigerians there, my confused baiting character has tried it as a safari destination to pick up a trunkbox.

Back OT, I worked for a Geordie firm once, driving a road roller in what would now be called a gap year, so I can understand the accent, but its not always easy. Jockanese (Scots) can be harder to follow, particularly if alcohol is involved.

I'd no idea that Nicola Bryant was actually English, however she cunningly distracted me, with, er, this , er American flag.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:34 am

I was confused by the Niagara Falls comment too. I've been to both sides (won a lot of $$ at the casino there) But I could not detect any spoken english distinctions. Gotta go WAAAY into Canada to hear some.

I didn't go into the middle since I didn't want to get wet. We did eat at the rotating restaraunt on the Canadian side. My wife got motion sickness.

How good of an American accent is Nicola's?? I love when non-american actors do American accents. 99% of the time it's damn good (Hugh Laurie for example) The rest of the time they sound like they are all from Texas.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:48 am

Hugh Laurie is British? What's wrong with Texas accents btw?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:54 am

Bart Fargo wrote:

How good of an American accent is Nicola's??

Judging by this clip, pretty damn awful, but my mind was elsewhere at the time. you'll see why.

Somehat NSFW title, part 1 of 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58H4qtSM2WA

Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 57

That Nicola is hot , I'll tell you that!

Love her hairstyle in that

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:12 pm

Seconded, that's a horrible attempt at any American accent, except maybe late 18th century. Sorry Nicola.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 57

Sorry guys, I know the Niagara thing was a bit off topic, I guess as the USA has been talked about quite a bit here, I just thought I'd ask. Sorry again

Anyway, yes I went on that Maid Of The Mist boat, but did not keep the rain coat, as we were all met by someone at the exit holding out a disposal bag for us to put them in, lol

As I put culture in the title of the thread as well, can anyone here think of any cultural differences that really stand out to them, apart from the accents, etc?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:47 pm

bravo95 wrote:

Hugh Laurie is British? What's wrong with Texas accents btw?

100% UK. Been on the telly long before he did House. One of my favorite sketches.

SFW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEkjiF_UilE

(I do get the humor cause I've seen the show Countdown myself)

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:54 am

Sold_Me_Out wrote:

As I put culture in the title of the thread as well, can anyone here think of any cultural differences that really stand out to them, apart from the accents, etc?

As I understand it, in the UK trousers are put on one leg at a time and in the USA they jump in with both feet.

Tea might be another cultural issue. I like mine flavoured and with ice.

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

ParaNoid wrote:

Tea might be another cultural issue.

Interesting that you bring that up. I'm an American so tea is not a very big deal for me.

Through work I had a chance to meet a very nice woman from Israel, she is actually Palestinian. She fed me with some great lentil soup and bread and tea. The tea had sage in it and she bagged some up to bring home. (I know nothing about tea, is that good?) The bride loves it, as do I.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:00 am

I've just finished a cuppa, aka a cup of tea.

Stupid thing to drink at 2am, but very refreshing.

Damn I'm drifting off topic. In the US, everyone I met drank 'cawfie'.

Puppet singing Everything Stops for Tea

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:34 pm

Seems like in Maine everyone likes sweet tea (usually iced) Stuff is gross.

1. Make a normal cup of tea
2. Put 5lbs of sugar in it (or sweet-n-low)

At least what it tastes like to me.

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