After living in the UK for three years, I decided it was time for me to look into the issue of language a little more deeply. And in walks How To Speak Brit. I think language and how one speaks in analyzed and thought about a little bit more in Britain than it is in North America. It is so revealing about who you are and where you come from. This comes down not just to the words one uses, but also how those words are said.
As an outsider I feel this acutely – both what I say and how I say it makes me stand out. I say ‘garbage’ rather than ‘rubbish’, ‘pants’ rather than ‘trousers’ and don’t even get me started on sellotape, kitchen roll or cling film.
Moore notes the importance of class in British society and how language often indicates class. In writing the book, he also revealed his own class biases. In cataloging Britishisms he includes words such as ‘pottering’ and ‘chavs’, but in order to potter one must have a garden (thereby indicating a certain level of financial attainment) and I wonder whether ‘chavs’ self-identify as chavs, or is a chav always someone else?
Who would like this book? This book is obviously for language lovers and Anglophiles alike. Shortcomings aside, it is a really fun look at the way Brits speak. I imagine How To Speak British would be a great companion to That’s Not English, which seems to be getting an awful lot of book blogger love at the moment.
52 books or bust 
This sounds like fun. Now that I think about it, I have noticed, in British books especially, that people’s origins are often quickly identified by the way they speak. It doesn’t happen so much here, unless you’re from Newfoundland or maybe Cape Breton. (Speaking about Anglophones only, of course.)
The couple of examples you give of the words you use reminds me of my first experience with this that I can remember – while watching Sesame Street I noticed that Oscar lived in a “trash” can instead of a “garbage” can, and I remember thinking it was funny.
The way people speak also makes me realize what a sheltered life i lead here. It’s only when I’m on the bus or out and about that i hear a truly strong Scottish accent. And I can’t understand a thing.
As the owner of one strong and incomprehensible Scottish accent I can sympathise – though it’s not easy being the recipients of blank looks every time you say something either! It’s why I like accent-free world of blogging!
But now that I know you have a strong scottish accent I will read everything you write with an accent in mind.
I should have kept quiet – you’ll immediately become incapable of deciphering anything I write!
Ahh, this looks like a great read! It’s interesting how certain words in North America mean different things in the UK (like pants and chips) and how language reflects a society. I’ll have to keep a lookout for this book 🙂
Rubber is the one that sticks out to me. My daughter says it all the time and to me it is a condom to her it is an eraser.
What you say about language in this post reminds me of Hausfrau and the discussions around language and how the mistakes you make in a language that isn’t your native tongue say a lot about who you are as a person. Sounds like an interesting read! I bet it was super illuminating for you over there!
Still need to read Hausfrau!
I just finished it yesterday. I need to sit with it some more to actually articulate what I felt about it.
Oh my goodness, when I was studying abroad in London, I walked into a store and asked if they had “Scotch tape.” They had no idea what I was talking about, and it took a while to figure out that Sellotape is what I wanted!
I think it’s so interesting how language signifies class in the UK. This book sounds fascinating!
For a long time I was trying to buy paper towels but no one knew what i wanted. Even now the British name for them has slipped my mind!
I put this and That’s Not English on my list. During our visit to England, I kept saying “I brought my own sack” at the grocery and got funny looks. Apparently, that’s not a synonym for “bag” in Britain.
Have you read Watching the English by Kate Fox? It’s about behavior more than language and it’s really funny.
Watching the English sounds fab. I’ll have to check it out. As for ‘sack’ sounds odd to my Canadian ears too, but i would know what you meant.
I should pick this one up. My daughter asked me yesterday why my mother and I speak so much “British.” My mother grew up with her British grandparents, so there’s a lot of it still in our vocabulary. It would always embarrass us as kids when my mom would go to McDonald’s and order a hamburger and chips (she still does it and I still have to explain to her why they say they don’t have them). My husband grew up speaking British English so now that wonderful tradition is continuing on in my home.
I think that is so great. The book also does a good job on explaining where some expressions come from.
It doesnt sound like I’d be able understand the Brit slang. I still laugh at the Canadian stuff
You had me at Anglophile. This looks so fun!
It seems like a lovely book! As I’m french, I’ll be pleased to read it, it must be funny 🙂
Speaking of French, i speak Canadian French and my friend is Parisian. She often gives me odd looks at my turn of phrase.