Difference between English UK, Australian and New Zealand Thread poster: Karen Henry
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Hello everyone,
Is there a big difference between these three variations of English? I wouldn't attempt to translate into English American as I know that there is a real difference between these languages, but what about Australian and New Zealand?
I'd be interested in hearing your views?
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:38
Member (2008)
Italian to English
karen henry wrote:
Hello everyone,
Is there a big difference between these three variations of English? I wouldn't attempt to translate into English American as I know that there is a real difference between these languages, but what about Australian and New Zealand?
I'd be interested in hearing your views?
Thu dafferance batwoon Astroolian Anglish end NZ Anglish ez thut thai pranence thoor viewels duffrintly. See here for an amusing deemunstrooshin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr1TUE1doJ8
[Edited at 2012-10-24 10:08 GMT]
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In my previous life as an Australian physiotherapist I spent some time working for the British military. Believe me, there is a difference between Australian English and British English (learnt the hard, but funny way). A few examples: "Sir, please wear your thongs to the hydrotherapy pool so that you don´t get tinea" (thong = flipflops in Oz, dental floss-like underwear in the UK), "Sir, please take off your pants so that I can look at your knee" (pants=trousers in Oz, underwear in the UK), et... See more In my previous life as an Australian physiotherapist I spent some time working for the British military. Believe me, there is a difference between Australian English and British English (learnt the hard, but funny way). A few examples: "Sir, please wear your thongs to the hydrotherapy pool so that you don´t get tinea" (thong = flipflops in Oz, dental floss-like underwear in the UK), "Sir, please take off your pants so that I can look at your knee" (pants=trousers in Oz, underwear in the UK), etc, etc. I´ve never been to NZ, but I´ve never come across any such problems speaking to people from NZ in my travels. It´s only their accent that sounds funny to me (yes, those vowels, see Tom´s message). ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 04:38
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Fit for purpose | Oct 24, 2012 |
I don't think there is much difference when it comes to formal texts, but journalistic and marketing language, for example, will probably need more local tweaking. I am quite happy translating into US English as long as I have at least one US English native speaker to check for Britishisms, but like anything else, the best bet is not to try doing it if you feel uncomfortable about it.
I mean, Ozzie vocabulary items like thongs, drongos, ockers and barbies aren't likely to come up in... See more I don't think there is much difference when it comes to formal texts, but journalistic and marketing language, for example, will probably need more local tweaking. I am quite happy translating into US English as long as I have at least one US English native speaker to check for Britishisms, but like anything else, the best bet is not to try doing it if you feel uncomfortable about it.
I mean, Ozzie vocabulary items like thongs, drongos, ockers and barbies aren't likely to come up in a manual for a solar power plant or a cement mixer...
[Edited at 2012-10-24 11:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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NataliaAnne 
Brazil
Local time: 23:38
Portuguese to English
| In general, the more formal the text, the fewer the differences | Oct 24, 2012 |
I totally agree with Neilmac in that formal texts have fewer differences. I’m an Australian and translate mostly into UK English, with US English being the second most requested variant from my clients. I have never even once been asked to provide a text in Australian English, so I’d be interested to hear how often you get this request!
Even though I’m Australian, my English usage has always been somewhat ‘international’ as I travelled extensively as a child. Working as an... See more I totally agree with Neilmac in that formal texts have fewer differences. I’m an Australian and translate mostly into UK English, with US English being the second most requested variant from my clients. I have never even once been asked to provide a text in Australian English, so I’d be interested to hear how often you get this request!
Even though I’m Australian, my English usage has always been somewhat ‘international’ as I travelled extensively as a child. Working as an English teacher for many years and preparing students for exams in different countries then made me conscious of a lot of the differences between major English variants. However, when working I always make use of variant specific English dictionaries to double-check terms. Also, when I check terms by doing internet searches, I make sure that I look for sources for the particular target country.
Reflecting on what I’ve just said, it’s worth pointing out that legal texts probably have more differences than any other type of formal text, mainly due to the different legal systems. I was just looking at another post which provides a reference text for legal drafting and it has a useful table comparing criminal law terms from the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
http://www.proz.com/forum/legal/235852-guide_to_legal_drafting_in_english.html
As for the differences between Aussie and Kiwi English, I hardly notice anything at all, apart from the accent. Occasionally something comes up, but no more than it does anyway between Australian states or regions. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Karen Henry
Local time: 04:38
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks for all your comments, I found them all interesting, especially the video Tom which was good!
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:38
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| And what about.... | Oct 24, 2012 |
karen henry wrote:
Thanks for all your comments, I found them all interesting, especially the video Tom which was good!
....South African English, ja?
| | | | Karen Henry
Local time: 04:38
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
I think she did quite well impersonating all those accents--but she couldn't do the Welsh one, mind you neither could I!
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I remember flip-flop sandals being called 'thongs' years ago (Canada) but now they're all called flipflops and 'thongs' refers to the skimpy underwear (knickers UK).
| | | | Åsa Campbell
Australia
Local time: 12:08
Member
English to Swedish
sandals are still called thongs in Australia which made us laugh when we moved here from Scotland a few years ago!
| | | | | | Karen Henry
Local time: 04:38
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks Olly!
I'll remember the thongs too!
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