Mad-Mla 5: The english language
29 May 06
While I was in Madrid, people mistook me for American because of my English, which didn’t sit well with me. I wanted recognition for my Pinoy accent.
In a city where English as a Second Language (ESL) was a major (or, at the very least, popular) industry, I learned to be more sensitive to the differences of usage of the English language. For one, UK English was preferred by students and Academy Centers in Europe. I remember I corrected someone for saying “Have you got a pencil?” (I told him that he should say “Do you have a pencil?” instead), and was later shamed when I read all about the “have you got” verbal phrase in a UK textbook. Also had a tense discussion with an American flatmate who asserted that he, as American, spoke the best English, and that only true “native speakers” (i.e. Americans, British, Australians) could teach English properly.
In any case, I’m sure it’s no big news to everyone that the Philippines has also become a major ESL destination, catering mostly to Korean students. The DOT has acknowledged this with its own ESL Program.
We are supposedly the “third largest English-speaking country” in the world, boasting of well-educated English-speakers (consider our appeal to call centers, which on another note is on a decline, if recent news reports are to be believed).
My question: what kind of English exactly are we teaching these students? What is Pinoy english?
Because of our American educational system and our constant exposure to American pop culture, the likeness to American English is a given. But we are not speaking American English at all. Looking more closely at the regional differences of the English language supports this even more. Sharing interesting differences between UK and American English below, from worldwidefreelance.com:
For example, while American films are in color, British audiences watch them in colour. On Broadway you go to the theater, but in London’s West End to the theatre. Americans measure in meters, the British in metres. American center is British centre. And so on.
A sick American may be hospitalized but he is never hospitalised, which is the more common British form.
Similarly, civilized behaviour is more likely to be civilised in Britain.
An American writer eagerly awaits a check, while his fellow-scribe across the Pond longs for a cheque.
In America you take offense, in Britain offence. As you would expect, American defense is British defence.
One of our major waterloos: prepositions. Maybe the confusion stems from this:
An American looks out the window, a Briton out of the window.
An American businessman plays golf on weekends, while his British counterpart plays at weekends.
In the US students go to the university; in Britain they simply go to university. Likewise, in the US a patient is in the hospital; in Britain he’s in hospital.
American “I just arrived” translates as “I have just arrived” and “I just ate” as “I have just eaten”. Most completed actions carry similar differences of expression. This also applies when an anticipated action remains uncompleted: for example, I didn’t speak to him yet becomes I haven’t spoken to him yet.
In the US the trees turn red and gold in the fall; in Britain this happens in autumn.
In the US you invite friends to “come lunch with us” but not in Britain, where the invitation will be “come and have lunch with us”, or simply “come to lunch”.
After detecting a gatecrasher at his party, an American will report later:
“I asked that he leave.” In Britain, the expression is “I asked him to leave.”
Where an American mails a letter, a Briton is more likely to post his.
Americans takes their chances, while the British take their chance.
In the US you go see; in Britain you go and see.
Ask the time of an American and he might tell you that it is twenty of four or perhaps a quarter after eight. The British versions are twenty past four and quarter past eight.
In the US you might start April lst; in the UK you would start on April 1st.
A half hour in the US becomes half an hour in Britain.
An American automobile becomes a car in Britain.
In the US you go get the car; in Britain you go and get it.
American gas is British petrol.
In the US you drive under the overpass; in Britain it’s the flyover.
I suddenly remember a poem we recited for Oral Expression class in grade school. Fun stuff.
* * *
Other posts on Madrid-Manila:
Mad-Mla9: Relearning Spanish
Mad-Mla7: Finding Travel Buddies
Mad-Mla 6: Of Diplomats and Art
Mad-Mla 4: Metro and Unlimited Rides
Mad-Mla 3: Painting Club!
Mad-Mla 2: Pedestrian Life
Mad-Mla 1: Introduction
