English and American english

[Twomoles 8]

Time to time I get in confusing situations with language.

We had quiz in math, and I felt I didn't do well, so I wrote to my teacher to ask is it possible to rewrite quiz. He never responded, so I wondered. Then I looked in my syllabus, and in like three places with big, huge black letters is written - no make-ups will be in any situation! Now he probably think I am some high ego silly ######, who thinks she will get some special exceptions. How me to ever guess that make-ups is same thing as classical word - rewrite, because none dictionary showed me this expression.

Some more - not long ago I found out that what i thought is crib actually is "cheatcheats or hmm" (or something, don't know how to spell, its when you cheat and peek in exam hmmm )

Also I heard, people say - my bad, what means my guilt. I couldn't understand, what is bad, why is bad?

Also in Pittsburgh, people say Yenz (still didn't figured out spelling) )for they, you - many. Its very local and you would never guess.

Oh well, for all these expressions you need to be around for awhile. Probably my English is like from some old school, at least when I come here, plus my funny accent, and its so wide language, that probably Scottish wouldn't understand Australian. Dont know. But every day I discover something new and surprising, and always hoping that people will be understanding.

[Jamie76 0]

Are you talking about English (UK) vs American English? They are the same way. Have you heard of cockney?

[Twomoles 8]

Its dialect, hm?

They sure have have their own Pittsburghers Yinz (you all) variation and all other local things, they only know.

[JoeMama 0]

It's the slang words that are causing confusion. The same slang name can change to mean something else in a short time. A lot of the time I can't figure out what the hell kind of slang someone is using. I give much credit to hip-hop music. I doubt if the artists know what they're actually saying either

[Twomoles 8]

Good to know, that not only me as foreign have problems.

Yes, backs talk so different, they cut words ends, its much harder to understand.

Also I watched movie from, hmm, whatever, but it was from place very close to Canadian border, I couldn't understand, (so now ever since I use amazing learning kit - subtitles)

[Jamie76 0]

Was the name of the movie Fargo by any chance?

[Twomoles 8]

Was the name of the movie Fargo by any chance?

Yeah, it was!

[jundp 191]

Don't worry, my fiance speaks German fluenty, but I guess he learned British English in Germany b/c we use different words sometimes. Though he has taught me some very creative curse words

[trueimage 0]

Yes, you will find that English is spoken very different in various countries, but thmost of the variations are probably within the U.S. The average American doesn't speak proper English. But apparently most people from other countries do not speak their proper language either. Spanish is supposed to be one of the most easiest languages to learn, but there is a lot of slang and I get confused too. The average person does not speak text book language. Hang in there. The more locals you speak with and the more movies you watch the faster you will learn. I think you're doing a super job!

[Nancy2015 2]

Was the name of the movie Fargo by any chance?

Wow, I LOVE Fargo!! What a great movie!

We just watched Sling Blade with hubby, and this whole movie is in heavy Southern accent - it took me about 15 minutes to get used to how the characters talked! I truly enjoy Southern accent, but in my opinion, it's the hardest one to understand.

But every day I discover something new and surprising, and always hoping that people will be understanding.

This is great, isn't it? I've always enjoyed learning languages - to me it's like learning a whole new pattern of thinking and expressing your thoughts.

You're doing great, keep it up!

[jundp 191]

Spanish is supposed to be one of the most easiest languages to learn, but there is a lot of slang and I get confused too.

Oh man. I totally thought I was the queen of Spanish until I went to Bolivia. Holy #######! It took me about 4 days to figure out what people were saying. Thankfully they appreciated that I was trying, but it was pretty tough at first.

I have GREAT respect for people who come here and try to speak English b/c it's such a tough language to learn.

[Twomoles 8]

Thats so true. In our own mother language we don't notice our slangs, because language is alive and flowing thing. Same thing when my mum don't understand what my teenager brother is saying. And of course, they dont teach foreign language slang in schools, but most common classical language. If I think now, if my hubby would learn from good, proper books, he would say - crazy, how you talk there, nothing is proper. lol

[trueimage 0]

Yeah, learning a language from a text book or classroom is only good 'maybe' on a professional level. Although I'm thinking theirs alot of slang there too. Just like OP stated in her school instructions. If you wanna communicate on a social level with average people, you gotta learn their layman's language.

Spanish slang cracks me up. I'm forever trying to break it down and figure it out...but then I just get more confused. But if you try to explain english slang to someone who doesn't know english well...you find that it's equally nonsensical. I worked in Mexico and they always cracked me up. There's an expression that they use that means that you don't have the value of cheese or you're not worth cheese. It sounds easy, but the way they said it confused me.....Y'ain't worth a shite.........Even though the English translation is more vulgar..the Spanish translation is not meant to be nice either.

[Twomoles 8]

One of my latest favorites expressions (or call idioms) is about cheese who slide over your cracker, and about monkey carried on back.

ITs fun.

Also its up to with who you are and what jokes are in this group. After I watched almost all Peter Sellers and Monthy Pithon movies, I sure could understand hubbies friends jokes and folklore better.

This is dumbest feeling ever, when everyone laughs, but you don't understand joke, and sit with silly freeze smile. lol

[trueimage 0]

LOL...I know exactly how you feel. But when I was in mexico...I would say I don't understand and make them explain it to me....which did not necessarily mean I ever gained understanding. LOL They liked for me to say things in Spanish so that they could laugh at my pronunciations or laugh at how I would try to put sentences together. It was all in fun....but it can be frustrating too.