Love Britannia
CBMUSED at 8:59 am Category: TravelTags: accents, Britannia, British, cbmused, England, English, Irish, London, London Calling, Scottish
I love the British. I love the way their accents, inflexion and idioms give them a delightful air of friendliness. From plummy accents that hint at gentry and lineage, to the rugged warmth of the cockney dialect, which admittedly I don’t understand very well, there’s a plethora sounds, an aural seduction that is ever so charming even when they’re giving you directions to get around London by tube.
But make no mistake, as I have on numerous occasions, when I innocently blurted, “What language is he speaking?”, only to be met with a raised eyebrow, a stifled chuckle followed by a prompt and stern correction, “English!” Ah… I could never discern a Scottish accent from an Irish one or a northern English one. Yet I can listen, nod, smile and be totally enchanted like a teenage school girl.
On my first visit to the Great land of Britain, I hated London and its environs. I wasn’t impressed by the locals or their attitudes as if their grey drab skies cast a dull veneer over their personalities. They evoked in me expressions often reserved by them for their counterparts across the Channel. Yet it made no sense when I had many English friends, colleagues and relatives whom I love dearly. Even a major crush of mine was English, Welsh actually, with a seductive Londoner accent to accompany that natural charm and eyes that glittered when they looked at me. Captivating, he was. And I am digressing.
Therefore it came as no surprise that during my last sojourn in Britannia to visit friends and relatives, I chose to make it brief. And it was much to my disappointment again, as it had turned out, I loved London. I witnessed a shift in attitudes and a general bonhomie among its people. Laid back is not a term usually reserved for Londoners but it was one to which the locals themselves have attested.
London has been calling me of late. I shall return again for a longer stay. Even if I have to ask some charming locals for a translation.
– A photographic tribute to London
London Calling - The Clash
March 13th, 2008 at 9:48 am
You fell for Welshman? Haha! My friend Mr No Good Boyo would be fascinated by that piece of news, as well as offering you a few tips I expect.
http://alfanalf.blogspot.com/
March 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
The Isle of Man has a really weird flag.
That’s really all I have to contribute to the discussion.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Gorilla B: um… yeah, I did.
And I checked out No Good Boyo’s site very quickly, and I think I’ll need a dictionary for some of it… or I need to bring my own vowels
Zen: I see nothing weird about 3 legs with no bulge sharing one Y front. Do you?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I think the English are nuts… give me Paris instead of London anytime!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Oh sweetie … how I love the British, let me count the ways!
You are so making me want to take that trip to England sooner rather than later! I am so looking forward to it!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I was born on British soil. Yorkshire actually. Huddersfield to be exact. For some reason, I’ve always been drawn to everything quintessentially British despite my upbringing. Their humour, their upper-crusty wit, their classy yet eccentric sense of style.
Ahh, to return to the homeland. That would be something indeed.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Sidney: Maybe I have a slight immunity to that ‘nuttiness’… the accent masks a lot!
But I’m with you, Paris any day over… anywhere in the world.
EM: You’ll love it. There’s just so much to soak in!
I’ll look forward to when you go and you post about it.
Kami: I didn’t know that! I haven’t been to Yorkshire but have heard a lot about it.
And I’m with you on the humour-wit combination, and accents just give it that extra zing.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
England rocks. I did an archaeological dig at a Roman Fort in England last year, and it was great. People, as usual, nice and friendly.
By the way, what language do they speak in Australia? (groans, boos from audience)
March 13th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Jarod: You mention ‘rocks’ followed by ‘archaeological digs’… priceless!
And everyone knows people speak Austrian in Australia.
Just like they speak Fush and Chups in New Zealand.
(more groans, boos from audience)
March 14th, 2008 at 1:34 am
As a genuine Limey, I should really comment on this post in cockney rhyming slang. So:
Most people wouldn’t Adam and Eve it, but last week I went down the battle cruiser for a couple of Aristotles of beer, and I saw my china plate and he said; you’re Liz Hurley mate!” And that’s no Jackson Pollocks.
God save the Queen.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:20 am
The UK is also known for a great affinity related to beer. When I spent a week in London a few years ago I made fast friends with some regulars at a pub. I can’t say that I particularly cared for local cuisine, but the beer was fantastic.
Now proceed with a comment about how “shocked” you are that my comment was about beer
March 14th, 2008 at 3:11 am
The Isle of Man’s symbol looks like a gay swastika.
I am just callin’ it like they see it.
Plus, the Isle of Man sounds like a gay resort like Fire Island or something,
I am sure that if I went there and told them in Mansk that I thought they were gay–or at the very least, that their island sounds like the gayest gay gay resort that ever gayed a gay–they would all bind together and summarily kick my ass.
Anyway…
The only thing I have against the British is that they have these weird-named places like Gloucestershire and they don’t pronounce it how it looks.
Well, that, and burning the White House down in 1812–but that was just a small disagreement among friends.
I know I have gotten mad at my friends and wanted to burn their house down, and I think they would have understood it if I had really done it and they had survived.
March 14th, 2008 at 3:17 am
I…uh….meant to do that with the rocks and dig pun. Yeah, that’s right, I meant to do it! (walks away sheepishly, possibly sipping a latte)
March 14th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Simon: Ooooh… how I wish this was an audio comment!!!
GSR: Gasp!!!
Did you mention English beer, as in served warm and a little flat? That was my impression on the first trip though I’m not a beer drinker. Local food is rather bland, so I opt out for restaurants with European and Asian influences. Indian food is supposed to be the best outside of India, though my stomach is too sensitive to sample it.
Zen: A gay swastika?! Maybe after a few beers…
But then again, I was looking for a non-existent bulge!
I have trouble with some pronunciations, like the TV show Dalziel and Pasco. Try saying Dalziel! It’s ‘Deeyel’.
What’s a little historical house burning amongst friends?
Jarod: “You rock!” she says as she sips on her morning latte…
March 14th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Now you do know that. I wonder, given that extra bit of information now. Would that make me any more appealing to you?
March 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Kami: depends what more info I get to find out!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’ve always wanted to go to London. Through blogging I’ve met several epoele there who would probably make wonderful hosts, as well.
Love the new site! This looks more like how I remember ‘babe of yore.
Clea? That’s beautiful! And thank you so much for your wonderful comments and just for checking up on me! You truly rock, my friend.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Eric 1313 Welcome to cbmused.com! I can’t tell you what a joy (and relief) it was this morning when I saw your post. You, my friend, have touched a lot of people who will be rejoicing today.
Glad you like the new site and the name Cléa, sounds much more personal than ‘Bemused’.
London is an amazing city, and the transformation I’ve seen during the last visit will leave you wanting to come back!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I can’t say I either hated or loved London. I loved some aspects, hated others, and honestly must say that its good folk left an indelible blank in my mind. Going in December probably didn’t help either, but it was paying AUD$70 for a meal consisting of fish and chips, Coca Cola, and two Golden Gaytime icecreams that really made me wish I was sitting on the Legian strip with all the Seafood and Bintang I could cram down my throat for six bucks!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
GBoy: Notice I didn’t mention the love of food. As a self-confessed gourmande, English food leaves me cold, especially the exorbitant prices for little quality. I try to stick with Italian cuisine but even then it doesn’t compare… and I have eaten at some top restaurants. Lesson learnt: if visiting Europe, always start the trip in the UK then move on to the continent