American and British English - let's work together!!

[7Suarez7]

Made me think, but I failed to find it funny.

Dear England - I just wanted to tell you the little cute red bugs with black spots are called "Ladybugs." Calling them a ladybird is just dumb. Why? They don't have beaks or feathers. Let us not forget the "windshield" for a car. It not only shield you from the weather and bugs, but it helps keep your car the temperature you desire. Calling it a windscreen is just dumb. That is unless you want to replace your glass windshield with a flimsy screen. If you can change those two things, I will forget about any of the weird things you might consider mentioning.

Not that it's of any particular importance but Damien FYI:

Ladybirds are called so because of 'our lady' the Virgin Mary (Our Lady because of the strong christian faith back in the day...not because she was British) she was often depicted in early pictures wearing a red cloak with several spots on....I wasn't around at this time so I cannot verify this for you! However, I do know that scientists across the english speaking world generally use the word 'ladybird' as a ladybird is not actually considered as a 'true bug' (Hemiptera). So, calling them ladybugs would actually be seen as a 'dumber' or a less informed term in that sense, just saying chingu...

As for the whole windscreen/windshield point....North America adapted windscreen to windshield as they refer to a windscreen as that foam put over a microphone to minimise wind noise whilst in the UK it's known as a microphone shield. To screen something is to separate/partition something so the windscreen screens the wind from the passenger and to shield something is to protect, so a windshield protects the passenger from the wind. No real right or wrong here in my opinion...

I agree with singletrackmind comment though...I enjoy learning new things bout English, it's always useful to know different words with the same meaning - if for nothing else but to discuss in conversation like this forum topic.

[singletrackmind]

I agree with singletrackmind comment though...I enjoy learning new things bout English, it's always useful to know different words with the same meaning - if for nothing else but to discuss in conversation like this forum topic.

That was actually Damien's comment.  I just suck a posting.

[Bicky_in_Busan]

It's good for children to be exposed to all kinds of English because...there is no one "American" accent!  Not all Americans talk like the woman on the CD (thank god).

[singletrackmind]

It seems to me that the English people lost the right to claim ownership of the English language when they decided to invade and conquer other countries.  I know it's all you have left to cling to, but give it up.  Language evolves.  Do you speak old English?  If not, why?  Only England has the right to evolve?  Also, why do you English people only give Americans crap about it?  I've lived in a few English speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and their English is quite a bit different than British English as well.But I never hear anyone complain about the English in these countries. 

[Wikkisha]

I don't think I've ever met a British person who had even the slightest desire to be American.

[jaybird]

I got sidetracked on this issue and found an interesting article that's worth a read:

http://articles.boston.com/2010-10-24/lifestyle/29303907_1_care-peeves-decades

[honeymooners]

I believe some people need to develop a sense of humour and not take life so seriously or tar everyone with the same brush. ;)

[LokitaMae]

This whole American vs. England thing is really getting tired... Its amazing how both sides can point fingers yet none of realize you are more alike then the people who aren't name calling and stereotyping other people from different nations. Get a grip and grow the F up. Being a teacher has everything to do with acceptance and you people prove to be just as bad as the country you are hating on. American people AND English people are some of the most self righteous loud mouths on waygook.  Get over yourselves because you are the ones making EVERYONE else look bad.

[honeymooners]

Well said! 

[Yu_Bumsuk]

I don't think I've ever met a British person who had even the slightest desire to be American.

Every major American university has some of them in the staff lounge.

[Brit_1]

RE: Singletrackmind.

Assuming we are remaining consistent with the gagging orders, you should be careful so as to not appear 'anti-English", don't you think?

[singletrackmind]

RE: Singletrackmind.

Assuming we are remaining consistent with the gagging orders, you should be careful so as to not appear 'anti-English", don't you think?

Yeah I went a little too far with the last sentence and I apologize.  I'm not anti-English at all.  Actually I'm of English descent and have lots of family there.  I won't apologize for the rest of my post, though.

[jfromtheway]

My guess is it has more to do with an inferiority complex about the USA.

Every major American university has some of them in the staff lounge.

Yep, and yep.

[mdowie]

I'm English, in my 3rd year here.

Just my 2 cents/pennies worth:

Koreans are exposed to US culture so much more than UK culture. Because of this parents, schools, educators have an admiration for many things American. This is not to say that non-American English doesn't have a place in the classroom. However, by using it you're very much swimming against the tide - any words that differ from American English must be explained and this will take a short time out of your lesson.

On the positive side teaching cultural differences can also be a good thing. I once taught synonyms using these differences as a jumping off point. Likewise I kept myself sane by insisting on "football" not "soccer". The small things that get us through the day:)

On a connected note a former employer once told me that he was something of a rarity in that he actually favoured non-US citizens, primarily due to the dropping of the "T" sound in many US states.

[Damien]

I'm English, in my 3rd year here.

Just my 2 cents/pennies worth:

Koreans are exposed to US culture so much more than UK culture. Because of this parents, schools, educators have an admiration for many things American. This is not to say that non-American English domesn't have a place in the classroom. However, by using it you're very much swimming against the tide - any words that differ from American English must be explained and this will take a short time out of your lesson.

On the positive side teaching cultural differences can also be a good thing. I once taught synonyms using these differences as a jumping off point. Likewise I kept myself sane by insisting on "football" not "soccer". The small things that get us through the day:)

On a connected note a former employer once told me that he was something of a rarity in that he actually favoured non-US citizens, primarily due to the dropping of the "T" sound in many US states.

The English tend to drop the T sound far more often then Americans. Americans tend to turn the T sound into a D sound, but English tend to drop the letter totally.

[Paul]

It makes me wonder if perhaps "hold down the fort" is perhaps a bastardisation of "hold the fort" and "bunker down". that's the only related idiom I can think of with the word "down" in it. Not that I could care much less. ;)

[adamwatch]

I think EVERYONE is missing the really huge point here. Koreans want to learn English not French or German or Spanish. It is a triumph  for English. Of course we  may prefer our own variety but the triumph of English means that we should feel proud of the fact that we speak the language that others want to learn. Having said that I think more Koreans should learn Chinese and Japanese as that is the language of their neighbours and that will not change.

Adam

[alef]

It seems to me that the English people lost the right to claim ownership of the English language when they decided to invade and conquer other countries.  I know it's all you have left to cling to, but give it up.  Language evolves.  Do you speak old English?  If not, why?  Only England has the right to evolve?  Also, why do you English people only give Americans crap about it?  I've lived in a few English speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and their English is quite a bit different than British English as well.But I never hear anyone complain about the English in these countries. 

This is the most absurd thing I have heard so far. ::)
Grow up.

[charn56]

It makes me wonder if perhaps "hold down the fort" is perhaps a bastardisation of "hold the fort" and "bunker down". that's the only related idiom I can think of with the word "down" in it. Not that I could care much less. ;)

Have you seen that video by David Mitchell? His "Dear America" video. It's pretty amusing. "I could care less" is the most unhelpful expression.

[Damien]

I say "wader" and you say "wa-ter." I go dAncing and you go dancing. My color has no "u" and your colour has a "u." I like fries and you like chips. I eat your chips and you eat my crisps. I can't find the toilet and you can't find the WC. My trunk is stuck and you lost the key to your boot. My Dad just bought a new truck and your Uncle just sold a lorry. My "Ant" had tea with you "Aunt." I can't find the center of your centre. You threw my football and I kicked your football. You are full of gas and I can't figure out what petrol is. I asked your Mom for an eraser and she stared at me. You asked my Mom for a rubber and she smacked you. I can't find your friend and you think he's my mate. My clock can't count past 12 and yours can go to 24.

What I learned is different from what you learnt. Why are we fighting so much over simple things? I know why! Most of us have nothing better to do. The world will never know peace, because there are too many people with free time on their hands.