Posted on June 20, 2009 - by Ffion
Look right then left – or is it left then right?
So, you know how, when you travel solo, you tend to meet a lot of people? And how you bone up on your languages so you can have a conversation beyond “Hello, How are you?” and “My name is…” You reviewed your French, Spanish, maybe some Chinese, and of course your English…
Yes, English. I know you’re fluent – but have you travelled to Britain recently? Yes, that’s travelled with a double ‘l’. Just like if you are a solo traveler from Britain you are actually a solo traveller – again, double ‘l’. English is different in the UK. 
The Solo Traveller’s English
Just wait until you meet some new Brit pals and they invite you over to their flat for some Spagbol – is that a new game, some really funky music, or ( I know, you’ve guessed it haven’t you?) some nosh – yes, Spagetti Bolognese.
And if you’re asked if you fancy some afters. It’s not a naughty suggestion so don’t get too excited! – “afters” is pudding, sweet, dessert.
OK, so that one was easy – but how about when you’ve left the flat (you’ve figure out that’s an apartment right?), and you’re trying to cross the road to get back to your hotel. Having finally mastered the fact that the traffic comes from the other direction – and how on earth do all those small cars go so fast! – you remember your new Brit pals told you to keep to the pavement. Of course you step onto the road…
In Briny, the road is the road, and the pavement is the sidewalk.And that big truck coming towards you is called a lorry (no, not a lolly – that’s an ice-cream).
Best idea is to look for a lolly lady by a zebra crossing, just beyond that roundabout. Sounds like getting lost in a candy-store-come-zoo? You’ll be looking for a crossing guard standing by the crosswalk, just past the traffic circle…
Phew! Finally back at the hotel, and time for a nice cuppa, and a chockie bikky, or maybe some crisps and a pint – just make sure you don’t get caught out needing to spend a penny…
Confused yet? Hey that was just a taste of English English – and, of course you do know that Britain has other native languages? Including the musical Welsh, and the tongue twisting Gaelic?
‘Nuff already! Ta ta for now and don’t forget to practice your English before you go to old Briny where you’ll be a solo traveller, not a solo traveler.
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October 1, 2009
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funkstop said:
hahaha — too funny… my first mistake with UK English was to tell a colleague that I liked the pants she was wearing – pants are not trousers in UK English. they refer to ‘panties’…
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September 30, 2009
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Traytable said:
Just wait til you cop a load of Aussie English… enough to make a nun swear…
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September 30, 2009
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IsabellesTravel said:
What a great read, really funny approach! Have to be careful sometimes what you say, even if it’s all English
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September 30, 2009
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Andy Jarosz said:
Great article! As a Brit who spent a year in NYC I got into trouble several times:
Telling a work colleague that “it was mental” in the office one day; or saying “you alright?” as a greeting – after a few days of blank stares someone replied with “why, do I look ill?”; or referring to a lady’s fringe.. I could go on. We have the dubious advantage of seeing so much American TV that your peculiar language is not so alien to us
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July 24, 2009
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admin said:
I’m going to have to find that book. Thanks again Julie.
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July 24, 2009
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Julie said:
ha! the language differences are such a big part of the cultural experience, even if that means not understanding a word of English in a different country.
I would recommend reading Bill Bryson’s “The Mother Tongue: English and how it got that way”. I actually picked it up in Seattle and read it while traveling – it’s a hilarious book that explores the many differences in the English language.
Also, about the street crossing – I was so happy when I first arrived in London to see signs on the road: “Look left” and “Look right”. It felt like they’d been painted there just for me…and I know they saved me from getting hit by a car on more than one occasion!
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June 22, 2009
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admin said:
Hilarious!
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June 22, 2009
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Ffion said:
If you think English-English (as opposed to American-English) is tough, how about Welsh-English (no, not Welsh-Welsh, that’s another language completely!)?
John Edwards studied this dialect, (heard in south Wales), named it “Wenglish” and recorded it as it is spoken. The original books Talk Tidy, and More Talk Tidy, were written in 1985.
Some examples:
Ach-a-fi: Show of disgust, “You should ‘ave seen the state ‘e was in, ach-a-fi!”
Cwtch: Cuddle, embrace, “They could all cwtch up like.”
Tidy: Excellent, very good, “The Black Lion does a tidy roast of a Sunday.”
Now all you need to complete your solo travel dictionary is the proper Welsh…
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June 22, 2009
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admin said:
Yes, understanding someone from Scotland can be a challenge… but it’s well worth the try!
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June 22, 2009
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admin said:
Yes. Doesn’t matter what English you speak, it’s tough to understand someone from Scotland. But well worth the try.
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June 22, 2009
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Melvin said:
Great! Fun to read! It’s so funny as I’m used to both & sometimes it’s hard to keep it separated. Would you understand a scottsman speaking to his pal? Have you seen the movie trainspotting? I (as a german) found it so hard to understand it!
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June 21, 2009
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Gimli said:
I still can’t believe they call ‘aircraft’ an ‘aeroplane’
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June 21, 2009
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Ken said:
I think you mean “Blighty” instead of Briney. Old Blighty is the old slang for England.
Where they drive on the left, I just started looking both ways twice.
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June 21, 2009
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Ffion said:
Patrick -you’re quite right, ‘briny’ is the sea, mea culpa! Only thing I have in my defence is that English (either British or north American) is my second language. Welsh is my mother tongue.:)
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June 21, 2009
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admin said:
Interesting about Briny. Ffion is Welsh living in Cambridge. Guess one can get lost in translation within an island as well.
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June 21, 2009
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Patrick Goff said:
Err, hate to say it, but actually ‘briny’ is what we Brits call the ocean (as in brine or salt water).
I have noiticed Americans talking about having shag parties. Well, be warned, in England a shag or shagging is the sexual act – you now, intercourse…
Oh and a ‘bog’ is what I believe you call the little boys room…as is loo
We are jolly friendly though
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June 21, 2009
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Sherry Ott said:
Cute article. I teach ESL and am constantly pointing out the differences between British English and American English…I think I’m finally ‘fluent’ in both!