Separated by a common language

[IshbelRobertson]

Really?

Or are you pulling this foreigner's leg?

[Gregg]

In this country, it is probably from one, either with bad spelling, or a wanting to be unique. As an example, how would you say this name (yes, it is an actual name):
L-a ?
Not a typo, the name is L-a.

Names, like passwords, become more secure with the addition of a punctuation mark. I fear the practice is trending up.

Gr@egg

[Spartana]

We are all british and from the UK, at least for the present, if independence comes to fruition, then there would be a dissolution of these United Kingdoms!

If you know the British person's nationality, ie English or Scots, or Welsh or Northern Irish, then we appreciate it if we are called by our real nationality. However, what we from the Celtic fringes of our nation dislike is when 'English' is used as a synonym for British. I certainly don't mind being called British, because that's what I am, but as I've said... Just don't call me a Brit!

ETA. When I say I don't mind being called British, I am speaking only for myself, many of my fellow Scots And Welsh and Norn Irish DO MIND!)

Ishbel - The US Coast Guard use to have a LORAN communications station on the Isle of Skye that I stayed at for a bit. I was really surprised that the locals wanted to be called something besides Scottish (can't remember what now but you may know - maybe Herbridians). I spend a lot of time travelling around both Britain and Ireland (Republic and North) and was always confused about what to call the locals (and I was born in England). I have noticed that some people from the UK do get a bit miffed at Americans for their improper use of the British language but many seem to find our "Americanisms" kind of charming and fun too.

OOPS!! Just realized that the coast guard station I was talking about was on Shetland Island. Guess they don't want to be called Hebridians after all :-)!

[JaneV2.0]

Really?

Or are you pulling this foreigner's leg?

Snopes wasn't able to find any evidence of such a name. It sounds like one of those apocryphal stories like Welfare Cadillac Woman. http://www.snopes.com/racial/language/le-a.asp

[IshbelRobertson]

Natives of The Orkney Islands, or The Orkneys as we call them, are Orcadians. People from The Shetlands are called Zetlanders (although some foreigners do use Shetlanders!)

As i have said, I have no problems with the word usage of other English speaking nationalities, whether South African, Australian or Americans. Just so long as I'm not expected to use them or mark the work of my students as correct!

[Square Peg]

France used to, but they repealed some parts of it, I believe. Every year some French institution abhors the anglicisation of their language, to little avail, I suspect.

I know a few Spaniards who affect not to understand what non-Spanish Spanish speakers are saying. Ditto with
Portugese hearing Brazilians speak their language. I believe Iceland still has a Law stating what words can be used if they are of foreign origins and they used to be particularly fussy regarding the inclusion of foreign names, no Britneys or Kylies on Iceland!

And, talking of Britney. I cannot stand non-standard spellings of ordinary names and place names. The place is Brittany. Is it considered clever, one wonders, or an inability to spell?

Iceland's naming law is being challenged. I didn't even know there were naming laws.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...ame-fight.html

[IshbelRobertson]

Hmmm...

I seem to recall that Icelanders' nammes always end in 'son' or 'dottir'. None of that takung a father's name. I think it used to be that Icelandic electoral rolls and telephone books listed people by their first names!

[Square Peg]

Wow!

[Tiam]

I've learned more Brit English over here in Japan than I ever did in the states. Many of the English teachers are not from the US so the vocabulary used is what their teacher taught them.

I received a compliment on my muffler and immediately looked at my car thinking my friend was being facetious

Was looking for an int'l moving company here with no luck until about 4 weeks into my search I thought to look for REmovers! And there they were

Thought I'd pick up a copy of the first Harry Potter book at a used bookstore here but wasn't sure if the first book was "The Sorcerer's Stone" or "The Philosopher's Stone"? Of course, this bookstore had both available

When a Japanese friend chooses to speak English I often will use both the Brit & US term in a sentence because I am unsure which English they know...such as chemist/pharmacy...

It's been an interesting learning experience

And that's an interesting story!

[Tiam]

Iceland's naming law is being challenged. I didn't even know there were naming laws.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...ame-fight.html

I knew Germany had it.