Temat: Two countries separated by a common language:

Differences between British and American English:

fanny: Am Eng dupa Br Eng cipa
spunk: Am Eng brawura Br Eng sperma
suspenders: Am Engszelki Br Eng podwiązka

Also, I believe Br Eng 'bollocks' written 'bollox' isn't regarded as being rude in the U.S..

Anyone got any more (differences)?

Which do you prefer, the British or the American version of the language?

Temat: Two countries separated by a common language:

rubber: Am Eng condom Br Eng gumka do mazania

subway: Am Eng metro Br Eng przejscie podziemne

anaesthetist : Am Eng pielegniarka lub technik medyczny dajacy znieczulenie Br Eng lekarz anestezjolog

apartment Am Eng mieszkanie Br Eng. apartamentGrazyna N. edytował(a) ten post dnia 22.05.08 o godzinie 21:34

Temat: Two countries separated by a common language:

Let me support this observation by G.B.Shaw with a humorous sample:

Mother Tongue

No language barrier. No dictionary required. (Adv.of British Travel Association)

Oh, to be in England
If only 'arf a mo',
Where, when they speak of wireless,
They mean a radio,

Where private schools are public
And public schools are snobby
And insurance is assurance
And a cop is called a bobby,

Where a traffic hub's a circus
And up is down the street
And a sweater is a jumper
And a candy is a sweet,

Where a cracker is a biscuit
And a trifle is dessert
And bloody is a cuss word
And an ad is an advert,

Where gasoline is petrol
And a stone is fourteen pound
And motocars have bonnets
And you take the Underground,

Where, holding up your trousers,
It's braces that you use
And a truck is called a lorry
And boots are really shoes,

Where a druggist is a chemist
And the movies are the flicks
And you queue up on a pavement
For a stall at three and six...

There is no language barrier
The tourist needs to dread
As long as he knows English
From A to Z (no, zed).

Richard ArmourWendy Tweed edytował(a) ten post dnia 22.05.08 o godzinie 21:46

Temat: Two countries separated by a common language:

I do notice a lot of differences, especially when I get to talk to British people, but also when listen to students, who have invariably been taught the British version. I will say things such as "cab", and "I reckon", eat French fries etc. I will never, ever say "half six" and am always puzzled when people use this one to tell the time.
I say my grammar is more American too, as I use plural pronouns with singular "collective" nouns, tend to make more verbs regular, use "just" with a past form rather than the perfect form, and so on.
No preference whatsoever, except that I can't bring myself to using the British version, but love listening to it ;)
There are also many differences that I think are cultural, and also many that depend on the region where you live (or, as in my case, used to live). Like, I use "got" a lot, and occasionally say "bring me me laptop".
(nice thread. I'm getting diverted from editing an important letter, but it's good as there's a dog barking right under my windows and it's been doing this for two hours now; can't really get to sleep :()