Have you heard about Britishisms? Apparently, it’s becoming cool in America to use British words and phrases like “getting your knickers in a twist”, “gobsmacked” and “bum”. I was delighted to hear about this, as it is somehow comforting that our eccentricities are infiltrating the American language when we have for so long been invaded by Americanisms. To such an extent that, it seems to me, the word “butt” is actually more frequently used here now than “bum”. Sorry to lower the tone so quickly, but doesn’t it seem odd that we have swapped our describing words for our bottoms?
I’ve always been interested in language; it’s my way in to understanding thought and culture. And my observation of the differences between our language and American English began early, when I studied American literature in my final year at university. I learned then that American thought and writing is founded on a very different history from ours, different priorities and vastly different ideals. So, although we may think we understand each other because our tongues contain many of the same words, in fact we are in many ways so very different.
Of course, the reason I am thinking about this today is the US election. I expect I am not alone in the UK in taking great interest in American politics; after all, what happens “over there” has a significant impact on affairs in the UK. What has really interested me today, though, is the content of both candidates’ campaign speeches. So much of it is all around the American Dream. Obama has said, if you try really hard, you can make it here, whoever you are. I may be very wrong, but it sounds like a promise to me, a promise that offers certainty and optimism, but, if denied, results in crushing disappointment. I don’t know what we have instead in Britain (suggestions gratefully received) but I am sure we don’t have a promise like that. Oh sure, we are supposed to work hard, but I don’t think we are promised any particular result, apart from perhaps a feeling of fulfilment. There is certainly no dream anywhere in our culture!
I think it helps us to understand why we think the things we do, and why we have the ideas and beliefs we have. If only so that we can choose to think more appropriately, to have a little more independence and to be less controlled by our environment and society. And given the way media crosses the Atlantic, just think how confused we could become if we don’t take a moment to understand that what we are seeing and hearing comes from a very different place, and collective understanding, than our own!
Getting back to language (because it’s my way in), I have to say I annoy myself with how annoyed I get at the creeping Americanisms – on weekends, for free, can I get, etc etc – because I do really believe that language is a living thing and needs to change constantly to stay alive. How much do these little words and phrases matter anyway? What I do want to commit to, however, is continuing to recognise where my thoughts and assumptions come from, and choosing a little more. If I’m observant, if I take a moment and think, I can choose my thoughts and assumptions just the same as I can choose the words I use.
“Two nations divided by a common language” – Winston Churchill (who had a bit of an American connection!), though some say it was George Bernard Shaw or Oscar Wilde …
I console myself with the knowledge that most of what the Americans say began here anyway, it’s just that the Brits chose a differnet path. “Butt” in the sense of human bottom is recorded here from the mid-15th century!
Great post! To start with, I can’t say I hear ‘butt’ taking over from ‘bum’ much – you must move in different circles…
Someone pointed at some election coverage in the paper and asked ‘why should we care?’ I started to point out the consequences to us of what happens in the US, but could see their eyes glaze over. Blimey as someone who stood twice in our own election, I know all too well that political education is woefully inadequate.
As for there not being a ‘dream’ in our culture like the American Dream, I suspect you are right for the majority. I have tried for many years to tell people about the abundance of opportunity we have here in the UK, but I’m afraid I get the glazed eyes again!
Nice post.
Cheers, Gordon
Thanks Gordon, I am hearing “butt” used a lot in the gym, exercise classes, running circles etc. So perhaps it is more exercise based! I agree that there is opportunity here and that we should believe in it. It’s good to start with a dream!