I met this girl and she is American BUT......................?

Question

We find it hard to talk. I am from the UK and we seem to be divided by a common language. Which one of us actually speaks English......and how do learn to understand each other?

Answer 1

Talk slower and louder!

Answer 2

Good luck! I have live here for the past four years and at times still have communication problems with my American friends. One would think this wouldn't happen I am after all from Jamaica, we speak English, Americans are also English speakers (at least they are supposed to be) but confusion occurs.

The only way to solve this problem is time. Try to talk to each other more, if your are confused by something she says ask her to explain it until you understand.

That's how my bf (he's South African) and I get around it. So his English is a bit different from mine, grammatically they are the same but we use words from a differing eras in the English language.

It's frustrating but you'll get through it. Hey, you may even learn a few new English words in the process.

Answer 3

You both speak English, its just different. (like Spanish varies from Mexico to Spain) I would say your the original so you speak English. Most Americans do not speak proper English. The language has become a skewed version of the original.

Answer 4

LOL too funny. My husband is Australian and we went through the same thing in the beginning. You just both need to slow down your speech and if one uses a term you do not understand, ask for an explanation. To this day my hubby still calls wrenches "spanners" and lines "ques". It just takes some time, you will get the hang of each other's lingo and after awhile it will seem natural to you and you won't notice it. People who meet my hubby for the first time always say he has a thick accent, and it is odd, I do not notice it much at all anymore.

Answer 5

You both speak english -just different versions of it. The differences are mostly in slang and in pronounciation so if you speak clearly and try to avoid slang you should have no difficulties. Just admit that you didn't understand whatever she said and she will enunciate the next time. It won't take long to learn each others little quirks.

Answer 6

Well there's two types of English. There is the one that we speak here in America and then there is the one that is spoken elsewhere. I would suggest that the two of you start comparing things like slang terms and sort of make a game of it to see who can find more than the other

Answer 7

Even without the "dialect barrier", you still need to spend lots of time together to learn to understand each other.

One positive: you have a culture difference that leaves a lot of room for discovering each other, which is very exciting

Honestly, it's the mystery that still helps keep me interested in my husband...many years later and we're still passionate about each other...not just sexually, but emotionally, too.

We're still learning about each other after over 10 years of friendship.

Learn to savor the positive aspects of your differences and to appreciate the other person's strengths that may be weaker areas for you.

Answer 8

You speak English and she butchers it, right ? Or is it the slang? (Jumpers v. Sweaters ? Biscuits v. Cookies ?) Or is it merely the difference between the idioms?

The first, you probably can't overcome. The latter two, that just takes time.

Answer 9

Just be patient. Typing allows you both to get used to the different slang Dont be afraid to ask what something means. Let her know to ask you also. You might learn a thing or two from us american girls.

Answer 10

"Love knows no bounds"!!! She speaks English, you speak British! You'll start to understand each other in no time.

Answer 11

you speak English English. she/we speak American English. yours was the original, but we made some changes after our revolution, probably as another act of defiance.