Has your word/phrase usage changed?

[Connie]

I'm curious to know to what extent those of you not living in your home country (Brit living in America or vice versa) have adapted your speech. Do you find yourself using the words/expressions you've always used or do you use those of the country where you now reside? Do you think that any changes have been conscious or unconscious? Do you feel self-conscious about speaking the "foreign" tongue or does it seem natural?

I am an American who's been living in the Isle of Man for the past 4 years and with my British husband for 2 years before that. I know I've picked up some things from him. Don't ask me why, with all of the differences in our speech, but he found it hilarious that in the Midwest we say, "It's 10 'til 9." He made me so self-conscious about it that I now say, "It's 10 to 9." I know that there are other words I've picked up from him too--shattered or knackered for tired, lounge for living room, for example. I've also picked up words just to make myself more readily understood and because I don't really want to stand out too much--not that I'd ever be mistaken for British once I open my mouth! Words like lift (elevator), loo (bathroom), handbag (purse), petrol (gas) and mobile phone (cell phone) come easily. Others don't. I love the word "cheers" for thank you, but if I use it to a Brit will it be seen as an affectation? I think the difference is that "thank you" is commonly used in British English as well as American English.

This is something that I had thought about before this forum existed and I thought it would make an interesting discussion. Over to you...

Connie

[davec]

I've worked with various foreign nationals, including Brits, over the years, and I've never seen it as an affection if they say 'howdy' or " got me hangin' ". I would if they worked slang into every sentence, to tiresome excess, certainly. And I would see a complete avoidance of local useage as a sign of insecurity, not fitting in, which would concern me. I've known people whose parents were from other countries, including England, who adhered to mommy's way of saying things their whole lives, and it just makes you wonder if they ever left the house when they were growing up.

Maybe you're worried that using an exclusively British phrase when the shared one is available seems excessive effort, but I doubt it as long as you're not peppering everybody with vernacular all the time, more than they use it. Anybody who feels that way about you most likely has a personal problem, and can go jump in the lake (or whatever they can go do in England that's more polite than a reference to stuffing).

[cbrzychcy]

I haven't even moved yet and I use 'Brit words' (as my family so charmingly puts it) all the time. To be fair, though, I think it's more that I slip back and forth constantly and they just pick up on the British terms more readily since they're all American. I use mom and mum interchangeably, along with mobile/cell, knackered or shattered/tired, fag/cigarette, and I'm sure others that I'm just not thinking of. A few American words that I don't think I'll ever be able to give up are pants (trousers) and Z - zee (zed). I just like the way Americans say them so much better!

[chris]

The worst word I've picked up from being in the U.S. for a few years is "howdy". I don't even live in a part of the U.S. where people really say "howdy" to one another, so all the Americans think I'm mocking them when I do it (they can be very self-conscious around here). Unfortunately I've now got into the habit of it so much that I can't really stop - especially because it usually happens when someone walks around a corner and surprises me, and I find myself blurting out "howdy" again when I didn't mean to.

At least I haven't got into the way of adding "pardner"...

Chris

[SepticTone]

Before you go to sleep every night, Chris, just try saying "Hello" to yourself, 10 times.

Not verbally, you understand: mentally. That way your bed partner won't run away screaming.

It may cure you of 'howdy', but clearly you have a G W Bush complex, which must be addressed.

[davec]

Cbrzychcy:

Have fun hitting your family and friends with the fine entries in Chris' dictionary. Definitely a lot of gems in there. BTW, 'pig's ear' is also Cockney rhyming slang for 'beer'. A twofer.

Chris:

'Hi' works everywhere, too. May be easier to get in the habit of as it's monosyllablic (always a plus when communicating with Septics, in general).

"What's up?" is OK with friends, usually. "What's up, [their name here]?" is better. Unless Seattle is really weird. Don't use it with strangers who approach you, though, as it may taken as a sign you expect the conversation to be brief and to the point, very unfriendly. This is a funny one. Ask how Seattlites see it.

Better than:

World War II era "what-sa who-za how-za where-za action, kid?", used mainly by Italian immigrants.

Contemporary "How's it hangin'?" (Not to be used with strangers, or when addressing females unless you want to either embarrass them or have them counter challenge you with a clever showstopper and embarrass YOU, depending on their basic take on life.)

Contemporary " 'sup? " -- (contraction of "what's up?") Makes you sound like a pretend-to-be-young-and-hip punk, again unless with close friends who know what you're up to. Tends not to carry the hurry-up connotation of 'what's up?', at least with white people, as it's slangy enough to seem friendly.

"Hey, it's ma' N-----!" I've used this with a __very__ few black people I know __very__ well, who know I mean the way they do when they use it. People I grew up with. Do NOT use it unless you're quite sure you may. Any little doubt means NO.

[Jen]

Being originally from the Southeastern part of the US, and y'all being a normal thing to utter, (though now living in Kent) I found myself surprised to yell at some youngish children running about, "Oi! Y'all stop that!"

[pixi3dust]

I am English, but I lived in America for about a year and found myself adapting very easily. I kept my accent, but started using more American terms and then got comfused when I returned to England.

I find it quite funny when the American's use British words. We appreicate it though. We like the fact that you speak to us in our own variation of the language kind of like a French person would if you spoke French to them in France....if that makes sense. As long as you don't over do it and start saying it so often we think you are taking the mick it's cool.
xx

[american lockpicker]

Hello I'm new to the forum but have been using the website for years. I have been on UK lockpicking/locksmithing forums since November 2007. I have picked up a lot of slang from English people(also Dutch, Australian, Canadian, South African, etc.) and enjoy using it in everday conversations.

[davec]

Welcome aboard!

I'm here partly because I like dialect differences. I've been studying UK dialects lately, but I like Canuck (Canadian) dialect also. Mainly cos I like Canucks.

I once took a bus from Chicago to Toronto, visiting Frostback (oh I'm sorry--Canadian) friends. This bus picked up people on the roadside, anywhere. About midnight, a big guy got on board just past London Ontario, and sat down next to someone he knew. They chatted. I was getting pretty stoned from longbusrideosis, and this big guy was regaling his friend with anecdote after anecdote--definitely vaccinated with a phonograph needle. He ended every sentence with that universal Canuck word 'eh?' Every bloody one.

At about 2am, the bus rounded a turn, and a brilliant blue light awoke me. It was a giant billboard with a picture of a hand holding a lit cigarette, next to a pack of Export cigarettes. The single sentence of text said, "Export, eh?"

I'm pretty sure everyone on the bus thought I was crazy. I just broke up, rather loudly.

My word and phrase useage changes a little over time because I like stuff like this, and incorporate it into my everyday speech for fun. If I get the odd look once in a while, it's OK, because people who appreciate it come along just often enough to make it all worthwhile.

I think that's what life is about anyway--the once-in-a-while.

Now I wonder if this behaviour is prevalent anywhere in the UK.