The English Language

One of the many reasons that I was interested in doing the London study abroad program was because it is English speaking.  I know no other language (unless you count high school German a language) and I  wanted to be able to understand what I experienced.  The more I learn about British English and American English, the more I realize that I don't understand it!  Here's a cute little video called "Live the Language: London" that shows some terms that I know so far.

A cute girl in my class (who just happens to share my name) did a project on the many word differences between American English and British English.  Below I've listed just a few of my favorites and ones I'd like to remember, with the American term first and the British term second:

• Apron= pinny
• Running Shoes= trainers
• Sweater= jumper
• Underwear= pants (could be easily misunderstood)
• Baked potato= jacket potato
• Cupcake= fairy cake
• Fries= chips
• Chips= crisps
• Roll= bap
• Sandwich= sarney
• Kiss= snog (Did you think of Harry Potter after reading this?  I did...)
• Sidewalk= pavement
• Subway= The Underground (formal), Tube (informal)
• Trunk of a car= boot
• Major in= read (What did you read at university)
• Elementary school= primary school
• Middle and High school= secondary school
• College= university (Students attend college for two years after high school and then move onto university, they are not the same thing like in America)
• Private school= public school (confusing!)
• Apartment= flat
• ATM= cashpoint
• Elevator= lift
• Flashlight= torch (Chronicles of Narnia anyone?)
• Mail= post
• Trash= rubbish 
• Umbrella= brolley
• Exhausted= zonked
• Fancy= posh
• Girl= bird
• Guy= bloke
• Good looking= dishy
• Tourists= grockies 
• Well dressed= dapper
• Excited= chuffed

This is just a short list.  There are other differences, including the fact that much of the spelling is different!  I will probably embarrass myself at some point but hopefully I'll simply be able to laugh it off.  I think I'll be able to manage my way around even if there are so many differences.  Paris, unfortunately, will be a different story..........

Just in case you were concerned by the videos you watched (a.k.a. my parents) don't worry.... I won't be hanging out with boys who are not in my group, I will not wear tank tops, I will not go to parties, or be out alone at night.  I promise. :)