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Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English
 
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Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English (Paperback)

by Christopher Davies (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
US List Price: $10.95
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Price For All Three: £16.17

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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company; Reprint edition (26 Sep 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0618911626
  • ISBN-13: 978-0618911622
  • Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 169,237 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #5 in  Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > English (Specific Aspects)

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Product Description

From the Author
Serious reference or humorous, yours to decide...
Having grown up in England, I ventured forth at the aged 20 to visit relatives in New Zealand. How could I possibly know at that time that England was never going to be home again.... After seven years down under, I settled in the United States in 1980. Twenty years later I am still fascinated by American culture. The linguistic differences are enormous. The words "tailback" and "dustman", mean nothing to the average American and probably never will in the foreseeable future. Brits coming over on "holiday" still use the terms, "bathing costume", and "flannel", much to the amusement of Americans within earshot.

In this book, I have tried to cover every aspect of the differences between British and American English, from spelling differences to pronunciation differences; even comparing different expressions used on the other side of the pond. I hope you enjoy the book with all its intrinsic humor, but I think having read the book, you'll be just as fascinated as I am by the vast linguistic gulf that separates the two countries. By the way, did you know that Americans have not always driven on the right? The details are in the book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for travellers., 4 Dec 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Divided by a Common Language: A British/American Dictionary (Paperback)
Taking his cue from George Bernard Shaw's, "England and America are two countries divided by a common language", Christopher Davies, of Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S., has penned, "Divided By A Common Language" with the subtitle, "A British/American Dictionary Plus, published by Mayflower Press. Divided, there's that word again, into sixteen sections interspersed with humorous illustrations, Davies takes us an historical, as well as practical, journey, even pointing out the differences between American and British plumbing! In the vocabulary portions we find the U.S. word "diaper" translated into "nappy", (familiar to watchers of British TV, ie, telly, shows).The U.S. slang "shut up" becomes "belt up" in the U.K. The examples are numerous and sometimes funny, sometimes surprising. In the restaurant section I was intrigued with "spotted dick" which is a suet or sponge pudding with currants. Also "bubble & squeak" which is a fried mashed potatoes and veggies patty. The handsome red, white and blue cover sports the two countries' flags, tempting you to sample its contents. Do, you won't be disappointed. A must-read for transatlantic travellers plus those who just love words and their derivations. Davies has appeared on many television shows and his book has been showcased on nationwide PBS channels and featured in the British publication Union Jack. Buy it--you'll like it! I await, with anticipation, the sequel.

Iris Forrest, Editor Ageless Press, Sarasota, Florida

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable for Travellers, 5 Nov 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Divided by a Common Language: A British/American Dictionary (Paperback)
I recently came back from a trip to Australia. Not only was this book invaluable for everyday communication, but the section on Australian slang saved me from being totally lost when talking to Aussies. A must for any traveler to a country where British English is spoken. The comprehensive list of word comparisons make this a serious reference book, but the expressions and idioms are what make this book fun to read! Explanations on acronyms such as ZIP code and Amtrak, as well as unraveling the mystery as to why Americans drive on the right and Brits on the left make this a great book for resolving disputes. My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen a few more of the humorous illustrations which help to lighten up the book.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A handy companion when watching British TV shows on PBS., 29 Jul 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Divided by a Common Language: A British/American Dictionary (Paperback)
I stumbled upon this book by accident. I don't believe the author meant this as an entertaining book, but a serious reference source for British and American travelers. Just by scanning the pages you can see how misunderstandings can occur even though we are speaking the same language. The example of "Keep your pecker up" in Brit is the same as "Keep smiling" on this side of the pond could certainly lead to some bizarre encounters. The author limits the work to common and current phrases, which makes the book manageable. Who would have know that Americans in Britain should wear a "Bum Bag" instead of a "Fanny Pack". As with any travel its good to know the language, even if you already think know it. Divided by a Common Language is a must for any Anglophile. Tom Wilson Tampa, FL
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Travelers!
Don't drop a clanger-make a big faux pas-when traveling in the U.K or the U.S.! This book is a terrific read for anyone planning a trip to Britain. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2006 by WriterGirl

2.0 out of 5 stars Amusing, but lightweight
This a diverting book, but not really a serious look at the differences between American and British English. Read more
Published on 8 May 2006 by Mr. T. J. Denman

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful British Travel and Reading Guide for Americans
Any American who wants to get past what you can learn about British words and phrases in a dictionary will benefit from this book. Read more
Published on 7 May 2004 by Professor Donald Mitchell

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable
When I first picked up this book, I was like a kid in a candy store. All those British mysteries that I had fumbled through trying to pick meaning from context came flooding back... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2003 by bernie

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