Language Peculiarities
Everybody knows
that it's really hard to understand foreign language, especially if it
concerns British people. We know that the British trait is politeness, but
sometimes it is not good, and we don't know how to understand some phrases,
moreover we cannot actually know that Britons really mean.
The Daily
Mail published an article about peculiarities of British English. The author of
the article said that a lot of British phrases are becoming an internet hit. It
began, when unknown person published a table on the Internet. This table was
posted on a lot of blogs; it was commented and confirmed by a lot of people.
The table includes three columns: "What British say", "What
British mean" and "What foreigners understand" and it really
helps different people to understand British.
For example, if
Britons invite you to come, it doesn't mean that they really want you to come.
And there are a lot of such examples in the table, which is situated below the
post.
In my opinion,
British politeness is just a myth, because the politeness includes not only
that you say but also that you think, and as for me it is really rude behavior.
For example if somebody will say you: "with the greatest respect
...", you should actually understand it like 'I think you are an
idiot'." it sounds rude, isn't it? Of course, this table will help a lot
of people to understand such people as Britons, but as for me I am disappointed
with them, because I really thought that their politeness is sincere.
Lena Kuznetsova
I found this article very interesting and informative,specially for foreigners who want to visit Britain. The main part of every communication is understanding between people and this table shows us that it will be very hard to understand what the British mean indeed. I think that it is not normal to say one thing and think another,because it can lead to misunderstanding. As far as "British politeness" is concerned I consider it as an abstract concept,because it is well known that Britons are stiff people.
ОтветитьУдалитьI suppose this article is very newsworthy, specially if you want to have an acquintance and communicate with Britons. Yes, it's really pity that British politeness is not sincere sometimes but I have a lot of examples of such misunderstandings in different countries, for instance, in our native language. Russians can change only intonation and meanig will change. For foreign speaker is difficult to notice the differences in the phrase.
ОтветитьУдалитьI'm sure this article is very useful for us, people who have been learning English, because we must know not only language simply but also how British people understand their own language, how they think. This hidden purport isn't very pleasant but if it's true we must know about it.
Thanks for the article! It is really ineresting! I am disappointed a little bit by Britons. I do agree with you, their politeness is just a myth. It is terribly annoying hypocrisy! People must say the truth, whatever it was. Misunderstanding can lead to bad consequences. For instance, during the negotiations different countries discuss an importaint question. Thinking they have found a compromise they initiate a future conflict. And when they understand the other side misunderstood them the conflict will be open.
ОтветитьУдалитьI must say that politeness must include not only manners, but honesty and honour. I think Britons should learn from us, Russian! =)
I liked this article, because Lena affected very important topic. When I was in London, I had an opportunity to talk with englishmen, so I really can support the idea, that British politeness is just a myth, because the politeness includes not only that you say but also that you think, and as for me it is really rude behavior. I had many cases, when I really misunderstood what english man wanted to say me. Sometimes, it was very funny, but sometimes it was awful, because I looked as silly girl and it confused me. To sum up, I'm sure, that every nationality can be polite and impolite.
ОтветитьУдалитьThanks for the article! It helps to try to understand what people are really thinking when they say something. I always thought that it's really true what people say about English politeness: it's everywhere. When squeezing past someone in a narrow aisle, people say 'sorry', also English people say 'thank you' practically for everything. I thought that I knew that all these words were frank and it was pleasant feature of English people.
ОтветитьУдалитьOne word that tends to spring to my mind here is 'artificial'. Of course, I hope that not everyone in England is so hypocritical, but now I will pay more attention to the words they say.
Thanks for this article! It's a very important topic for people who learn foreign languages and travel a lot. I can't entrust to people who create the table because I can't be a hundred percent sure that it is truth. But I will pay attention to this phrases and intonation of native speakers which can help me to understand what they mean. As it is called, forewarned is forearmed.
ОтветитьУдалитьI support your opinion that British politeness is just a myth. They often ask: "How are you?" but hear your answers inattentively. Sometimes English people ask questions but do not listen. Some Britons try to seem polite and agreeable, but most of them are very hospitable people who like to chat with foreigners.
In conclusion I want to say about some Russian people who tell you that they are agree when they are almost disagree with you. In this way intonation, actions or gestures of a person help you to understand what he means. Because of this, I think that we can make such table for each country.