Understanding each other on AW

I read this online today in preparing Olympic watchers for travel in England (Google this headline if the link doesn't pop up here):

The nation explained for visitors to the Olympic Games

Each 212-word section covered things like accents, trains, pub rounds, etc. But the parts about bad puns, even in serious newspapers, or self-deprecating humor as part of the national culture brought to mind some exchanges on AW that often are misunderstood when communicating with Brits. I wonder how our attempts and miscues on each others' languages/use of English vocabulary/humor on AW becomes cause for angst, impatience, apathy, or rejection? And what about broken English by those from non-English-speaking countries? (This works both ways. Surely, some of you have had a few chuckles at my Spanish!)

I have taken to Wikipedia definitions at times, or highlighted, copied and pasted whole paragraphs in order to translate them on Google Translations (to English) for myself. I have no idea how correctly my own sentences are offered to others when I try to change them to Russian or French for AW readers. Wouldn't it be nice if AW had not only a translation feature for type, but also a link to communication etiquette and cultural no-nos?

Anyway, the Olympics officially open Friday. Shall we all play a game of spotting bald heads in the crowds? I hear women can walk about more freely without wigs in England. Wonder if that applies to televised events, too?

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Comment by Tallgirl on July 28, 2012 at 6:14pm

At least two: In Men's Volleyball in Barcelona games (the rest of the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team shaved their heads to support him...I don't have his name), and Olympic swimmer for the U. S., Staciana Stits, who was at the NAAF Convention (Oaklnd, 2001..I was there) teaching the adoring little alopecian girls to swim in the hotel pool.

Comment by Mary on July 28, 2012 at 6:04pm

LOVED the Rowan Atkinson bit!

I found myself wondering today whether there's ever been an Alopecian Olympian? Must have been.

Comment by Norm on July 28, 2012 at 3:10pm

I say, Judy, steady on!
But on behalf of all Brits.... thank you, Ma'am - glad you enjoyed it! :)

Comment by Tallgirl on July 28, 2012 at 2:59pm

Yes, I loved it, too. I read up on the historical and literary references as blogged before I finally found a Chinese restaurant with a TV playing, then could see all but the parade and finale before the restaurant closed. Still looking for a very-late online site for those so I can comment (to myself) on uniforms and sing along with Sir Paul.

Comment by alamogirl/ aka Judy on July 28, 2012 at 2:19pm

London rocked my world last fall when we visited the UK. Bloody fabulous....or something! Those opening ceremonies put Beijing to shame! So creative, funny, lovely, touching, warm, delightfully "chaotic" with the fantastic Mr. Branaugh starting it off with the Bard's words from, "The Tempest"! OK, so I am an Anglophile and speak with a Brit. accent in all my dreams, but WOW, London, you were amazing, I forgot I was wearing a wig for nearly 6 hours. (Tears of joy!).

Comment by Tallgirl on July 27, 2012 at 2:18pm

Thanks, Cheryl, for making the link appear above in blue. I also found that on BBC News page it shows on the right under the heading Rules Britannia or Rule(s) Britannia...two different ways.

Comment by Marinetta on July 27, 2012 at 3:29am

I enjoyed the part about nationality, the article also showed on a lot of similarities between swedes and whatever they/you want to be called in the UK (:P) We're a big fan of queueing and the tradition of buying rounds, but I guess there are a lot of differenses as well. So a do's and don'ts might not be that bad. I would like to think that in the end we are more alike than we think, even if we can't always communicate. Here on AW we have something in common and I think/hope it is easier to forgive and understand culturar differences and misunderstandings than in the "real world".

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