Wednesday 6 May 2009
You Say "Fil-ay," I Say "Fil-et"
Over the past few years, I have given in to certain Britishisms. I say "courgette" and "aubergine" instead of "zucchini" and "eggplant." "Nappy" and "dummy" have replaced "diaper" and "pacifier" in my everyday vocabulary. I've even learned to drop the h in "herb," mainly because I got tired of everyone correcting me. But never, until I was at the fish counter of the local Lowe's Foods the other day, have I had to stop myself from saying "fil-et." Next thing you know, I'll be sounding like Madonna. Somebody kick the "ya'll"s back into me before that happens!
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7 comments:
Many many many moons ago when I first moved to the UK I worked as a waitress for three months (all I could take) and I remember walking into the kitchen with an order for a fillet of fish and of course I shouted it out with my American 'fil-ay of fish!' The Kitchen was silent for a second then erupted in howls of laughter and forevermore I was the source of much amusement. It was funny for a while, but I still have one or two acquaintances who interrupt me constantly by repeating my little americanisms. I tried to adopt the British way of saying words for an easier life, and I have completely adopted some words so that they now sound odd when I hear an American say them (i.e. 'herbs') but some words I stubbornly refuse to change, ike garage, oregano, bath... I said 'bahth' once and my daughter told me it sounded weird and that I should just say 'baath' like I always have! Just wait for little Crumpet to insist that you keep your american-ness!
Yes, the Madonna-esque accent is something that I am afraid of acquiring as well! I know exactly what you mean!
Yes! I remember before I moved here I used to ridicule Madonna and hate that she 'put on' an English accent. Now that I've lived here for 4 years I realise it's just what happens...
I take it back, Madge!!
I'm new to your blog...too fun!
Kim from Ludwigsburg
Come by www.baroquebabies.com when you have a chance and say hello!!
New to your blog too- what have I been doing?
I now say a lot of American things (with a thoroughly English accent I like to think). I can say oregano like y'all, even basil, but the one word that beats me is "tomato". There are too many changes going on - first the "a" then the "t". No, no, no
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has gone through an identity crisis as far as accents are concerned! The one word I can't quite bring myself to say is "mummy." It just sounds wrong coming out of my mouth. So if Crumpet wants to call me Mummy, it will have to be on her own accord. Until then, I'm Mommy. I'm sure that will warrant another entry of its own.
I'm so glad to hear from new readers. Thanks for all the comments!
My daughter was born in Britain 11.5 years ago and has an English accent, yet she calls me Mom! I never insisted on it, and she has done it since she was tiny (Mama, initially), it doesn't seem to be a conscious decision on her part... so you never know, little Crumpet may do the same!
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