Lost In Translation: Overcoming The Language Barrier As A Brit In America

[Rodney Mills]

As posted today, on BBC Nov. 29, 2014. Written by a Brit. businesswoman working in the USA.


It’s been said that the UK and the US are two countries separated by a common language—and after seven years as a Brit abroad, I couldn’t agree more. While Americans and Brits both officially speak the same language, our different communication styles and cultural contexts can make it really hard to communicate with one another. As a UK native, raised to speak the Queen’s English, I never could have foreseen just how much translating would be required while living on the east-coast of America.

I have countless examples of the confusion different nouns can bring. Translations learnt from the TV shows of my childhood were an easy adaption “pavement = sidewalk”, “motorway=highway”, “boot = trunk”, but after we had children we were stretched a little more: “push-chair = stroller”, “nappy = diaper” and “paddling pool = kiddie pool” Most times, English words are met with a blank look from store-clerks and when the right US noun is slow at coming to mind, my husband and I have become experts at impromptu Charades or Taboo in an effort to make ourselves understood.

Language differences between American English and British English are amplified in the business world – where Americans seem more direct and straightforward than the usually more concealed Brits.

Similar scenarios of being misunderstood, or just plain not understood, by Americans have played out in the business arena during my seven years in the US. On the business front, I’ve found that the need to adapt not only my terms, but moreover my communication style, is even more critical than in the personal realm. My ability to perform effectively at my job has demanded this kind of adaptation.

In many ways, the stereotype of Brits as overly polite, reserved, understated, apologetic, indirect communicators does hold true—and it does not serve us well in the US. I’ve forced myself to stop prefacing emails with “I believe…” or “maybe….” when I actually mean “it is” or “just do it.” I used to do this all the time, in an attempt to not be seen as a bully or bossy. But the fact is that a self-effacing, apologetic start to anything in the straight-talking land of the free is interpreted as a weak suggestion, or a lack of confidence in oneself. And I strongly encourage all Brits to stop being “sorry” for having a differing opinion. In the US, saying sorry is almost always interpreted as an admittance of guilt, whereas in the UK, it is just a polite phraseology as common as “hello.” Be direct and be bold. I was once berated by a woman in a Boston supermarket for making her feel bad after I had politely and silently waited my turn to select lettuce as she dithered over the right iceberg.

It’s true: We British sometimes avoid just saying what we mean. (See the What the British Say vs. What They Mean – it’s funny because it is true.) But it’s not because we can’t or don’t want to just come right out with it. In the UK’s cultural context, directness can be perceived as rudeness. So when we politely query, “Are there any other options to consider?” instead of bluntly stating the fact that “I don’t like your idea,” it’s because we’re just too polite. But we tend to assume that the people we’re addressing know that. And when we “almost agree” with a proposal, or admit to being “a bit disappointed” with an outcome, we’re expecting our audience to read between the lines to find the message we think is abundantly clear: we don’t agree; we don’t approve.

However, for a UK transplant spending any amount of time in the US, it quickly becomes clear that understatement and subtlety are just not the order of the day. I’ve learned from experience that messages delivered in the self-effacing or tentative tone of the typical British communication style often miss their mark. Our audience isn’t reading between the lines in the same way our compatriots would; they’re expecting us to state our case in “plain English,” just like Americans would.


[ Additional phrases that lead to confusion twixt Brits and other English speakers.]

ANGLO-EU AND US TRANSLATION GUIDE. FORBE'S MAGAZINE 8/14/2014

WHAT THE BRITISH SAY------------------WHAT THE BRITISH MEAN-------- WHAT OTHERS UNDERSTAND UNDERSTAND

I hear what you say-----------I disagree and I do not wish to discuss it further----He accepts my point of view

With the greatest of respect...--------I think you are an idiot ------------------------ He is listening to me

That's not bad -----------------------------That's good ------------------------------- That's poor

That's a very brave proposal ------------You are insane ------------------------------He thinks I have courage

Quite good -----------------------------------A bit disappointing ------------------------ Quite good

I would suggest... --------Do it or be prepared to justify yourself----- Think about the idea, but do what you like


Oh, incidentally/by the way -----The primary purpose of our discussion is --------This is not very important

I was a bit disappointed that ------------I am annoyed that --------------------------I doesn't really matter

Very interesting ---------------------- That is clearly nonsense ------------------------They are impressed

I'll bear that in mind -------------------I've forgotten it already ------------------------They'll probably do it

I'm sure it's my fault --------It's your fault ---------------------------------Why do they think it's their fault?

You must come to dinner------------ It' not an invitation, I'm just being polite ------ I will get an invitation soon

I almost agree --------------------------- I don't agree at all -------------------- He's not far from an agreement

I only have a few minor comments -------------Please re-write it completely ----------He has found a few typos

Couldn't we consider some other options?-------- I don't like your idea---------------They've not yet decided


It's funny, in reading the above list of phrases, I have totally lost my Brit. understanding of subtle English. Still I suppose after fifty odd years that's understandable. I wonder if this has happened to other long time overseas ex-Brits, immersed in a foreign English speaking country?

Cheers, Rodney

[Doc Vernon]

All very interesting Rob
But as said somewhat confusing at times! LOL
Now what about the Aussies haha!!
Cheers

[Keith Moody]

i had in instance where the man behind the counter could not understand me, i am from Dover UK. spent the last 40 years in Canada, traveled to Scotland for a holiday and in Glasgow went into a fish & chip shop which we were told sold the best fish and chips in Scotland, however the man behind the counter was an Italian with a strong glasgow/scotish accent, he just could not understand me or i him, my canadian wife who is part Ukranian and Norwegien could understand us both , so she did the ordering whilst i watched his mother, dressed all in black siitting on a stool with legs apart peeling and chipping the potatos.
befor i left for canada i had spent many years in scotland but that night i thought i was in a different land,
keith moody
R635978

[Ivan Cloherty]

befor i left for canada i had spent many years in scotland but that night i thought i was in a different land,
keith moody
R635978

Believe me Keith, you are not alone!

[j.sabourn]

Different words same meaning American/English. Obvious one Port/starboard, American Right/Left, Bottle Screw, American Turning Buckle, Buoy English, American Boooey, they put the month first when writing the date, English put the day of the month first, others I will remember as soon as have sent this. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Australia is just as bad, or is that good. It all depends on how you view it?
Tinnie is a can of beer for example, chook is chicken, Chiko Roll is a food not a car accident. We call people with Red hair Bluey, tall people shorty, we never get pi5sed just full as. We have restaurants that arte Bring your own, grog that is not food. Bring a plate when going to a BBq does not mean the host is short of crockery it means bring some food. We had Connies at one time but now the trams are one man, and so it goes. We do not have it away on our toes, We shoot through like a Bondi tram. We add ie to the end of just about any word we can, if you are called a Pommie Barsteward you are one of the best, the wife is the ball and chain, and if you can trace your heritage back to a convict you are Ace.

Then you go to NZ where you can eat Fush and chups with a sex pack if you like!

[j.sabourn]

John, don't know if put this up before, but recently sitting next to a kiwi bird on the plane, she asked me if I had a pin, I said no what do you want a pin for, I even asked the wife sitting on the otherside if she had a pin. Then it struck me the girl was trying to fill in her landing declaration and I"m sitting there after just filling mine in. Oh I said 10 minutes after she asked you mean a pen and gave her mine. Don't think she understood what I was saying either. They do tark funny some of these kiwis. JS

[j.sabourn]

Oooops!!







A man received the following text from his neighbour:


I am so sorry Harry. Riddled with guilt I have to confess. Have been helping myself to your wife, day and night when you're not around. In fact, more than you. I do not get it at home, but that's no excuse. I can no longer live with the guilt and I hope you will accept my sincerest apology with my promise that it won't ever happen again.


Harry, anguished and betrayed, went into his bedroom, grabbed his gun, and without a word, shot his wife.


A few moments later, a second text came in:


Bloody auto spell! I meant "wifi, not "wife" .

[happy daze john in oz]

Not just the language that can be a problem. When I first came here I thought all the people of Melbourne were related to a horse, you would see them walking the street with a brown paper bag up to their mouth having a feed.
Then of course there is the Oz dress code. It is allowable to werae thongs, om your feet, shorts and tee shirts all year round. In the cooler weather it is Ok to put on a jumper and a Beanie, they may be worn at weddings but the tee shirt must first be ironed.
Drinking from a bottle is alright but you must only use one hand, drinking in the street is allowable so long as the bottle is secreted in a brown paper bag. Having a wee in the pool is acceptable but not from the top board.
Beer can be drunk by the pot, schooner or midi, pints are accepted in NSW. Pie floaters, meat pie in a bowl of pea soup with tomato sauce on top is considered to be a South Oz delecacy.
Postie is allowed to ride his motor bike on the sidewalk to deliver, you do it and cop a fine.
If riding a push bike the wearing of Lycra is compulsory.
Not paying your fare on the tram or bus is a competative sport, try not to get caught by the inspectors.

[Braid Anderson]

At the Aviat Club in Lae we erected a sign beside the swimming pool.

SWIMMING OOL
You'll notice there's no Pee
We'd like to keep it that way