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Separated by Common Language?
3

Separated by Common Language?

Separated by Common Language?

(OP)
It has been said that the UK and the USA are two countries separated by a common language. Today we realize just how trivial and insignificant that really is.

Today we stand with you and share your grief. You have my deepest sympathies and prayers for those affected.

RE: Separated by Common Language?

"...two countries separated by a common language. Today we realize just how trivial and insignificant that really is."

Amen

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer

RE: Separated by Common Language?

I agree.  I have two cousins who are bobbies in London and ride the subway to work.  I'm sure they're okay or at least that's what I want to believe at this time.

RE: Separated by Common Language?

I received a telephone call from my son who is in London first thing this morning.  Thankfully he called to let me know he was okay before I heard the news.

My deepest sympathies and prayers are with you and yours.

RE: Separated by Common Language?

I prefer to acknowledge that the languages are different but similar. We benefit in understanding each other if we do so, and we gain knowledge and understanding.

To ignore this is less than honest.
jimbo

Buy a dictionary, keep it nearby and USE it. Webster's New World Dictionary of American English is recommended, and Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

RE: Separated by Common Language?

Heck, my Daughter speaks a different language than the both of us!

Our prayers go out to the People of London and we stand by you as you stood by us. God Bless You.

Rerig (CPO USN Retired)

RE: Separated by Common Language?

CajunCenturion, you started this thread, but I have a comment.

It doesn't take a pond (ocean) to separate two peoples with a common language, as you know from the native english of your home state.  (Home state as connoted from your handle).

I often bring german or spanish technical people who speak excellent english as a second language into industry in the bayou state.  When I do, I have to interpret to them what people with real heavy cajun accents are saying.

It goes both ways, as with most foreigners that I know, their second languages are not prefect if they haven't lived in the culture of that language.  For example germans are bad about pronouncing their "v's" as our "w" so that vapor comes out wapor, and more often than not, 'in here' comes out as 'herein' which no cajun understands, and all I do is act as intrepreter within the same language.

Their (our) cajun english is heavily infleunced by our french language heritage and it affects many word order situations, as well as the use of generally more reflexive than standard english normally uses makes us hard to be understood by foreigners who come here speaking english.

Add to that the fact that most cajun folks deep in the bayous don't care a twit for the metric system, and most foreigners, while they understand the conversions, don't think in english units, and technical discussions can be nightmares.

I went to college out of the french area I grew up in, and learned standard english, because in those days, "cajun wasn't cool."  When I returned from the navy, I wondered how everybody I had grown up with had developed cajun french accents while I was gone.

So, maybe all it takes is a bayou to separate us by language, not a pond.

rmw

RE: Separated by Common Language?

3
(OP)
I agree completely rmw.

==> When I do, I have to interpret to them what people with real heavy cajun accents are saying.

Cher, sometimes, I'm not always sure what people with heavy Cajun accents are saying.

I did not intend to minimalize the differences between American and British English, but rather in light of the terrorist attacks in London, and recent threads exposing some animosity over those differences, to try to put some things into perspective, at least as I see it.

Yes, there are differences in the langauge, and in my opinion, that's part of its richness.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Separated by Common Language?

Amen and amen.  My deepest sympathies and heart felt prayers go out for all those affected by the tragic events in London and to those that may still be awaiting word about a loved one I pray the news will be good.

Dan B

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