Do we really speak the same language?

newtoOZ · #1 (**permalink**) 24th May 2007, 11:57 AM

Sometimes it seems Australians speak a totally different language. I guess I'm used to the differences between British English and American English, because we hear and read them so often. Even the way words are strung together seems odd sometimes.

When I was in grade school we were taught 'Waltzing Matilda' in our twice-weekly music classes. I remember not having a clue what the words meant. Still don't.

Do we really speak the same language?

Skillage · #2 (**permalink**) 24th May 2007, 04:31 PM

Lets be frank newtoOz..
We all speak ENGLISH :P
everyone speaks our language, i think its just americans and aussies who speak their own slang, like us english people, we have slang language which we spoke.

newtoOZ · #3 (**permalink**) 25th May 2007, 01:10 PM

Someone asked me about my removal company. Remove what? Spots from my rug? Then I learned that removal companies are what we call moving companies. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get it all straight. Oooops. Sorted out.

tygwyn · #4 (**permalink**) 25th May 2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtoOZ

Someone asked me about my removal company. Remove what? Spots from my rug? Then I learned that removal companies are what we call moving companies. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get it all straight. Oooops. Sorted out.

So are you from England or America? In the UK we called them removal companies too?

newtoOZ · #5 (**permalink**) 25th May 2007, 01:42 PM

I'm an American, so I think the differences are much greater. I have to pick up the differences between English and American English, then add the Australian changes on top of that. Who was it that described the US and England as 'two countries divided by a common language"?

tygwyn · #6 (**permalink**) 25th May 2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtoOZ

I'm an American, so I think the differences are much greater. I have to pick up the differences between English and American English, then add the Australian changes on top of that. Who was it that described the US and England as 'two countries divided by a common language"?

Not sure who described it as that but I love the expression - I'd actually use that for English/Australian too - we may speak the same language but there are many many differences (some of which can land you in serious trouble.....or at least embarrassment!!)

newtoOZ · #7 (**permalink**) 26th May 2007, 01:08 PM

I had one at work. Someone wanted to 'table' something. At home that means set it aside and don't work on it any more, put it on the table instead of the desk. Here it means that it should be discussed. I had no idea what was going on!

tygwyn · #8 (**permalink**) 26th May 2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtoOZ

I had one at work. Someone wanted to 'table' something. At home that means set it aside and don't work on it any more, put it on the table instead of the desk. Here it means that it should be discussed. I had no idea what was going on!

Well I fell for the 'routing' quote! (in the UK that means searching......in Oz it means something completely different!!!!!!!!!)

Back2Britain · #9 (**permalink**) 28th May 2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Do we really speak the same language?

NO. It's nearly as bad as the American language. Anyone coming to Australia for the first time will need a translation dictionary before they get off the plane...

newtoOZ · #10 (**permalink**) 28th May 2007, 01:43 PM

Do I need two, one to get to the common British things, then another to move on to the Australianisms? The 'table' thing, it turns out, is a difference between American and British English.