I have always been fascinated by languages - all languages not just English. But just lately, I've been noticing (and finding extremely interesting) the variations in the English language used by different English-speaking countries. I always knew there were differences but the more American blogs I read, the more things I'm noticing. And I keep asking myself, "Why?"
Why do Americans say "trash can" and Australians call the same item a "rubbish bin" (this was probably the one thing that sparked my attention)? And why is the food I call a "biscuit" the same thing Americans call cookies? And even more interestingly, why is it that Americans use the word "candies", English "sweets" and Australians "lollies" and we are all talking about the same thing? (Sometimes I'm surprised we can even understand each other!)
And I've found out that sometimes when I think I know what you are talking about, I'm close but I'm not quite right. For example, Americans use the word "bangs". I only just found out what you are talking about! In Australia, "bangs" are side pieces of hair that are not quite as long as the rest of your hair. To an Australian, this:
is a 'fringe'.
And did you know that when we read "Little House on the Priarie" and books like that which talk about little girls wearing calico dresses, most Australians have a picture of little girls wearing dresses made of this:
because this is what Australians call 'calico'. (Americans call this "muslin".) The fabric Americans call 'calico", Australians would probably call a 'liberty print'.
It works the other way too. When an Australian says they are wearing thongs, they are NOT talking about their underwear. A 'thong' is underwear, but these are' thongs':
Yes, I know, everyone else calls them 'flip-flops' (which is probably a more accurate name).
A while ago I was at our local Officeworks store and I found an (almost 1:6 scale) Australian-type rubbish bin. It even has wheels that roll. So, for your information, here is an Australian rubbish bin.
Actually, it's three rubbish bins - the other two are people-sized. Why do we have two? The one with the yellow lid is for recyclables, the other for general rubbish. And as you can see, Barbie puts her own bin out for rubbish collection just like everyone else.
And why did I think today was a good day to post about the fun language differences that I'm discovering? Well, today is "Hug an Australian Day". Isn't that amazing, there is actually a special day for doing that (it's every day for me really)!
Great post! You are right. How do we ever communicate with each other? I LOVE your rubbish can and Barbie even looks good taking out the trash (rubbish). I was watching an episode of Foley's War (my new favorite show). The American soldier's had come and the man in charge asked for an English lesson for the troops. I understand a rubber in England isn't the same as a rubber here in the States. I'm sending you hugs on your very special day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hugs. I enjoy Foyle's War too and I remember that episode. You are quite right - they were quite different things. And I don't know if it is different now but in the '60's and '70's, 'fag' also meant two very different things in America and Britain. I just find it fascinating that we speak the same language - and yet it is still possible to totally misunderstand. (And I love seeing the variations in language.)
DeleteHugs and salutations! Look at that fringed Barbie taking out the rubbish! Very good housekeeper she is.
ReplyDeleteI read quite a lot of international sites and have to use the google translator - this is not the best thing in the world, so many times I'm stratching my head wondering what they are actually saying. It doesn't help, when as you say, we have so many variations on our wording for things.
Thanks for the hugs. Yes, Barbie is a much better housekeeper than me.
DeleteI use google translator too for some sites and sometimes roll on the floor at the translations they give. Sometimes I can understand enough of the language to know what was actually meant before I read the google translation and that makes it even funnier. I understand why it is so difficult to translate but I do sometimes wonder what google translator gives as a translation of my posts.
Didn't our bins used to be called trash cans? The metal circular ones (or am I just getting confused because of Sesame Street).
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that some of the words can mean things so different.
I obviously let you watch way too much Sesame Street - they were never called trash cans. Although you have made me think - when houses were unsewered and people had outside toilets, the waste cans were taken away by the 'can man' so maybe cans for rubbish were called 'rubbish bins' so everyone knew the difference.
DeleteHello from Spain: you're absolutely right with the variety of words between languages. In my country when we learn English always separate classrooms for students to learn American English or UK English. There are many differences in the meaning of words but still there are more differences in pronunciation. For me it is a very difficult language to speak. I really like your pictures of Barbie recycling. I send you hugs from Spain. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteTHanks for the hugs, Marta. You are quite right, there is often a difference in pronunciation between American and UK english. There are differences in spelling as well - and Australians tend to use UK english rather than American. For example, I use the word 'mum' for mother and I say it that way too. But my American friends spell it 'mom' and they pronounce it with an 'o' sound. So even we speak differently.
DeleteI've been learning English since I was a little girl, and those differences still give me headaches because sometimes I don't understand what I'm reading... Great pic that of the bin.. or can!
ReplyDeleteRossetti, Vanessa here. This is a good time to admit I rarely understand the stories on your blog because of the poor translation. So I do the best I can, but if you ever wonder why I don't comment much on the story itself, that's why. LOL.
DeleteRossetti, your English is excellent and I hope I don't give you too many headaches. Often, if I know Americans use a different word I put it in brackets after the Australian one just to make it easier to understand. I'm enjoying seeing the differenes. I'm even thinking that maybe occasionally I can do a post like this with pictures and the different words we use and then anyone who speaks another language can comment and tell me what the words are in their language (as I said I like languages).
DeleteI suspect I make a mess of the English language more often than I know... :D I'm learning, though! Yet another unexpected benefit of the doll hobby.
DeleteI'm from Portugal and the same happens between us and Brazillian people: lots of different words and a very different accent!
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating, V. I have never thought about it in relation to other languages but of course, it would. Every country develops it's own particular variety of language.
DeleteI grew up calling those shoes thongs too--maybe that is a regional thing here in the US as well. I know they call them slippers when I lived in Hawaii. I LOVE that little trash can!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought it was only in Australia they were called thongs - maybe it is a regional thing. And I can see why they could be called slippers as you do just slip them on and off. I'm glad you like the rubbish bin.
DeleteI enjoy reading the variations of the English language, too. Sorry I missed this post earlier. Glad to find it now. Here's a late hug (((( ))))
ReplyDeleteI've heard thong used for flip-flop at times. I think the bikini thong - aside, eeeewwww - is a more recent use. Have you heard of jellies? They are clear, often brightly colored translucent plastic sandals, usually for girls. Weird, huh?
I don't think Americans use rubbish a lot. I know what it is, but I think we more often say, trash. Then again, that could be a regional thing. America's a huge country and there are variations upon variations in language and phrasing. I love hearing British voices say that someone use hospital without the article "a" or "the." In the USA, we would say that someone is at the hospital (specific one, previously identified or at a hospital (name or type omitted, hospital in general).
Part of the fun for me of watching overseas programs [programmes?] is the variation in the English language.
Adorable little playscale trashcan. Go Barbie, taking your own trash out. Not giving that job to Ken, lol?
Glad you found it D7ana and hugs back. Yes, I find the variations fascinating too but I can understand why people learning english find it so difficult. I have heard of jellies although they are usually called jelly sandals here and they are not very common (yet). And we tend to use 'a' or'the' the same way you do. And we also use 'and' in numbers- Americans say "two thousand thirteen" whereas we say "two thousand and thirteen" but then we also say "twenty thirteen" - strange isn't it?
DeleteAs for the rubbish bin, I was really pleased with the realism. And my Barbies are quite independent that way.