Americanisation (the) of our language

Aveline

Americans are most welcome to have threads making fun of the British way of life and language. This is because they, like us, have freedom of expression.

I think that would be very intersesting, Aveline.

O, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
An' foolish notion.”

Robert Burns.

freedomfromthepast

Namsnanny, I agree that discussing the differences in our languages is fun. But that, overall, isn't what has happened here on this thread. Our languages are different, one is not better than the other.

I can understand your embarrassment on the accent. I was in Italy a few years back and tried to learn some of the language. Unfortunately, my American tongue is not made to roll my r's well, so I struggled. I did try and am so glad that the Italians were kind to me about it.

Its a peculiar isn't it, that the idiosyncrasies of American English imprint on the UK language, but the opposite doesn't seem to hold true? Or does it?

Also, as I mentioned earlier on in this thread, I wonder if the use of American words is just a reflection of the fact that the USA is the world leader now and as such has influence?

With regards to speaking another language, my Spanish or French is only basic, but I always found people pleased that I had tried.

Aveline

Americans are most welcome to have threads making fun of the British way of life and language. This is because they, like us, have freedom of expression.

Just because we have the freedom to do something, doesn't mean we should. It is especially hilarious when the people choosing to make fun of others do so by calling said people uncivilized and crude.

Thanks freedom

Since when making fun of somebody is fun?

Freedom of speech has limits

Namsnanny: I am not sure it doesn't imprint. The internet and modern travel have made the world so small. All languages, customs and traditions are imprinting on other languages, customs and traditions. That is how societies have evolved. It just happens much faster now since we aren't having to write letters and wait months to hear back.

Namsnanny I have read that American children are picking up Englishisms from Peppa Pig!
IMO a very good thing, she is the most sensible pig I’ve come across in a long time.
Personally I quite like outage instead of power cut, does this admission mean I have to stop posting now??

Passed
Cell phone
Homicide
Tomato (Tomate o)

Retired65

I hate the use of the word 'guy' for man and 'guys' when addressing a group of women.

There we are. Another one.

Sorry, I haven’t read all posts so don’t know whether this has already been said. It might not be American but I can’t stand “back in the day”. What day? Just say “years ago” ?

I've been out for a few hours, just thought I'd catch up on the day's debate.

Much of this thread is unbelievable.

There was a suggestion somewhere that there should be, basically, a thread making fun of how Queen's-English speaking people speak and pointing out stereotypical faults some people assume they have. Shall we go for it?

No, we'd probably get deleted pdq.

The upward inflection of every sentence

I’ve heard this called “uptalking” in the U.S. ?

Mom and cops!

Lauren59

*The upward inflection of every sentence*

I’ve heard this called “uptalking” in the U.S. ?

It’s so much fun to make fun of other countries language idiosyncrasies isn’t it?

Uptalk is a real thing, properly linguistically studied and everything.

www.thecut.com/2017/06/the-real-purpose-of-uptalk-is-to-make-you-shut-up-and-listen.html

Mocking it is just another way of mocking women

Jaxie

What about Americans placing an order in a café saying,” I’ll get a coffee.” English people use that construction now.

What do you mean? Vs starting with “may I please have…?” Otherwise I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’m an American and can’t think of when I’ve heard that phrasing (again, unless you’re referring to the lack of politeness).

grannybuy

Mom and cops!

I have never heard this saying. I have lived in 5 states in 4 regions of this country and have never heard this term.

Are you thinking mom and pop's?

Family owned small business are often called mom and pop stores. Customers usually want to know who the mom and pop stores are because they want to support small locally owned family businesses instead of large corporations like Walmart.

I am interested in learning where the term mom and cop's was used since I have never heard it before.

May I ask about one particular phrasing I’ve never understood? Why do Brits say “fell pregnant?” It sounds like an illness or accident.

Summerlove:

Back years ago when I worked in the service industry, I would often be in charge of closing the business which included making sure other employees did their work before leaving. There were a lot of men that I worked with.

One day, as I was checking out a male employee, another female employee said she loved working with me, . I asked if it was because I made everyone do the job they had to before they went home. She said yes, but also you are so nice about it they cant say no.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I was using uptalk. It was a very effective way to get things done as a woman without drama or disrespect. It was like me asking "could you please do your job and go home? Thanks!"

I have found uptalk very useful in various aspects of my life as a woman, especially in such a patriarchal society. And I don't have to be called the name of a female dog either, as we know often happens when women are assertive.

Alegrias1: "Shall we go for it?"

I have better manners than that.

A commonly occurring post “ I haven’t read the thread but I’ll just add another rude comment”

grannybuy

Mom and cops!

I’m absolutely certain we played cops and robbers as children ….in England.

There are parts of the UK where “mom” is used.

Lucca

A commonly occurring post “ I haven’t read the thread but I’ll just add another rude comment”

I thought I was the only one, who thought that, Lucca,
It has been explained twice already, that culpable homicide is a legal term in Scotland, yet posters continue to complain that it is an Americanism.

Although I used it daily, when I was teaching, I never realised it was called uptalking. Every day is a school day on GN.
Putting aside the xenophobia and rudeness for a moment, as a lover of language/ languages, I'm loving this thread.

I’m all for discussion of language but this thread has some awful prejudices. It honestly shows “grans” as intolerant, narrow minded, miserable…….I’ll stop before I swear!

Daisy79

May I ask about one particular phrasing I’ve never understood? Why do Brits say “fell pregnant?” It sounds like an illness or accident.

A hundred or so years ago it often was an accident Daisy. I gather falling pregnant comes from being a fallen woman if a girl got pregnant "out of wedlock". It was always the woman's fault and she fell from grace, was no longer welcome and brought shame on her family. Often, especially in poorer families, a wife becoming pregnant was far from welcome as it meant another mouth to feed. It was also the woman's fault if she didn't get pregnant when the husband wanted an heir. All down to the woman of course and nothing to do with the man!

Re "Uptalking". My Australian cousins from Sydney all do this. And people from Suffolk tend to as well. Its one way to tell the Norfolk accent from the Suffolk. I didn't realise it was done in the USA. Perhaps in some states?

I can't stand Americanisms and I can hardly read an article or a book without wanting to correct the spelling. So I avoid books from America.

Annoying things, to add to what is already on here:

Paycheck instead of salary or salary/wage slip.

"Pay the check" or ask for the 'check' instead of paying the bill or invoice, or asking for the bill or invoice.

Very poor misuse of the language and very lazy spelling. It grates on my nerves!

So I avoid books from America.

I'm sorry, this is just getting comical. ??