Category Archives: English
British English translation that’s not bad at all
President Obama’s visit to London seems to have led to a timely resurrection of the Anglo-EU guide. This graphic gives an amusing sideways glance at phrases commonly used in business and bureaucracy with the “translation” of British: • Jim Dickson is a director of WorldAccent Translation, London
Also posted in British English, funny, localisation, London, Obama 1 Comment
American & British English translation? It’s behind you!
(Click for professional American to British translator) Even when two people apparently speak the same language, regional variations or a lack of local knowledge can lead to total misunderstanding. • Jim Dickson is a director of WorldAccent Translation, London
Also posted in American English, British English, funny, localisation, London 1 Comment
Are you au fait with ok?
Many of us use it everyday. It’s widely understood around the world. But what does it mean and where does it come from? • Jim Dickson is a director of WorldAccent Translation, London
Multilingual London: mosaic of “Englishes”
Although we tend to talk about English as if it is something monolithic, there are numerous Englishes. Tune into the conversations happening around you in a café or on the Tube, and you’ll make out a mosaic of variants. So claims an interesting article entitled “Language can’t stay still – just listen to London” in [...]
Also posted in dialects, grammar, London Leave a comment
How would you answer “Fit like ma loon?”
Me I stood and let my jaw drop, wondering what language it was. In fact it turned out the question was in English. Or at least the variant of it spoken in the north east of Scotland. I was asked the question when introducing myself to a family I was to stay with in a [...]
Should Italian use English words?
No visitor to Italy can miss the stream of adverts using English phrases, or the now ubiquitous “il weekend”. Today, the BBC news site has a report on a study in Italy about the infiltration of English into Italian. The study by the respected Dante Alighieri Society [website in Italian] shows that many feel it [...]
Also posted in Italian, language 2 Comments
Signs of confusion
A newspaper snippet the other day set me thinking about the problems any copywriter or translator can face in getting a wording which is not only accurate but also pleases their client. It seems Tesco have been having problems with the signs at their express checkouts which are deigned for customers with a small amount [...]
Also posted in grammar, language Leave a comment
Fry up enriched by many flavours