English to USA Translations

runnercheryl

Anyone been watching Sherlock? I've got a question about the accent Jim Moriarty is using. The actor is Irish, but I can't figure out if he's going for an American accent or what. What does it sound like to a British ear?

To me, it does just sound like a very mild Irish accent, like someone who's traveled a bit and lost a lot of their natural accent. Or, never had much of one to start. Only basing this on a quick YouTube video, though - I've never watched the show.

treetop57

Thanks! I must not be the only one asking the question, 'cause in google when I type "sherlock jim moriarty", one of the choices that comes up is "sherlock jim moriarty accent"! The sites I found seem evenly divided between "Dublin accent" and "unidentifiable mish mash."

treetop57

10 Things Americans Do That Drive Brits Nuts

. . . .

4. The relentlessly sincere cheer
If I’m having a bad day, or a good day – make that any kind of day – I do not want people in shops whom I’ve never met to swaddle me with their sticky, earnest, exaggerated niceness. In America, actual humans say things like “Ma’am, you have been an awesome customer today,” just because I bought a box of tampons from their store.

. . . .

8. Spelling words the wrong way
I might as well pry the letter “u” from my keyboard for all the good it does me in over here. (But you know which letter made it big in America? “Z”! Only, they pronounce it wrong.) My point? Remembering to remove ‘u’s from words like “colour” and replace “s”s with a more abrasive “z” is a headache and I resent it. So there.

9. Pretentious pronunciation.
Americans, please note: saying “erb” instead of “herb” and pronouncing “fillet” without the “t” is not clever or sophisticated. You are not French. Make an actual socialist your president and then we’ll talk.

10. Saying “panties,” “fanny” and “bangs”
We’re all aware from watching Americans onscreen that these are the words for knickers, a bottom and a fringe. But when you live here, occasionally you’re forced to deploy these abominations in real life sentences. Only the other day, I said, “Can you trim my bangs, please?” I felt dirty afterwards. But “panties” is much worse, somehow infantilizing and over-sexualizing ladies’ unmentionables. No word should do both these things.

http://www.bbcamerica.com/mind-the-gap/2012/05/15/10-things-americans-do-that-drive-brits-nuts/

Heck, #4 seems excessive even to American me! But she is right: 'saying “erb” instead of “herb” and pronouncing “fillet” without the “t” is not clever or sophisticated.' It's just the way they are pronounced, Miss Fancy Panties!

runnercheryl

Heck, #4 seems excessive even to American me! But she is right: 'saying “erb” instead of “herb” and pronouncing “fillet” without the “t” is not clever or sophisticated.' It's just the way they are pronounced, Miss Fancy Panties!

One thing I've always LOVED on my visits to the US (I don't know if it's common everywhere) is that you clap at the end of films in a cinema/theater.

I was so surprised the first time, but I really liked the atmosphere. No, you're not applauding anyone - the director isn't in the room, nor are the actors - but I really liked the idea of showing you liked the movie.

Recently, I watched The Avengers here in the UK. At the end, some people clapped. My fiance looked so confused, but I just smiled and joined in. I hope it is a big thing over there, and I hope it comes to the UK. It's a nice end to a movie.

treetop57

I hardly ever go out to the movies, so I didn't know that had become common here. Learn something new everyday. Since I've learned something today, I'm going back to bed!

runnercheryl

I hardly ever go out to the movies, so I didn't know that had become common here. Learn something new everyday. Since I've learned something today, I'm going back to bed!

I've only experienced it in Florida (only part of the US I've been to, and I don't even know if it's common throughout Florida. I must also bring the 'sleeping every time you learn something new' thing over here, though.

emmaonamission

I've heard people clap in films - during the Avengers here (in the UK), some people clapped during really good scenes. It was a bit weird...

pudadough

10 Things Americans Do That Drive Brits Nuts

. . . .

4. The relentlessly sincere cheer
If I’m having a bad day, or a good day – make that any kind of day – I do not want people in shops whom I’ve never met to swaddle me with their sticky, earnest, exaggerated niceness. In America, actual humans say things like “Ma’am, you have been an awesome customer today,” just because I bought a box of tampons from their store.

. . . .

8. Spelling words the wrong way
I might as well pry the letter “u” from my keyboard for all the good it does me in over here. (But you know which letter made it big in America? “Z”! Only, they pronounce it wrong.) My point? Remembering to remove ‘u’s from words like “colour” and replace “s”s with a more abrasive “z” is a headache and I resent it. So there.

9. Pretentious pronunciation.
Americans, please note: saying “erb” instead of “herb” and pronouncing “fillet” without the “t” is not clever or sophisticated. You are not French. Make an actual socialist your president and then we’ll talk.

10. Saying “panties,” “fanny” and “bangs”
We’re all aware from watching Americans onscreen that these are the words for knickers, a bottom and a fringe. But when you live here, occasionally you’re forced to deploy these abominations in real life sentences. Only the other day, I said, “Can you trim my bangs, please?” I felt dirty afterwards. But “panties” is much worse, somehow infantilizing and over-sexualizing ladies’ unmentionables. No word should do both these things.

http://www.bbcamerica.com/mind-the-gap/2012/05/15/10-things-americans-do-that-drive-brits-nuts/

Heck, #4 seems excessive even to American me! But she is right: 'saying “erb” instead of “herb” and pronouncing “fillet” without the “t” is not clever or sophisticated.' It's just the way they are pronounced, Miss Fancy Panties!

The ironic thing is that this whole list is pretentious. Dear British hag with a stick up your...um..."bum": Americans don't care what you think of us. Sorry.

Maybe I should tell her she's a real b*tch the next time she buys tampons...:laugh:

AlmstHvn

I think my midwestern USA born-raised daughter has seen too many eps of Top Gear UK ... She saw a Prius and said "Pry-us" No amount of me saying "Pree-us" would dissuade her. I think she just likes to say it like Jeremy Clarkson!

rml_16

Bumpity bump.

I miss this thread.