American/ British English usage? - Page 2

Originally Posted by Here4good (Post 75912)

Hi irmamar,
Yes, I think proximity of the country has a lot to do with it and it's logical to think that a Spaniard will have more contact with Br Eng.
However, I can assure you that every few months someone will ask me to confirm their opinion of American English being "not so good" as Br Eng., that they (Americans) don't speak very well, and to crown it all the student will say that it's not very good English because "I can't understand it" They don't seem to realise there are different regional as well as country accents, that millions of people speak American English and are doing very well in life, that one country is not "better" than another.
Likewise there are many people who only accept the British Council, where undoubtably the teaching is good, as the place to learn English much as they select clothes from Burbury or Aldolfo Dominguez, just for the name
There are hundreds of good teachers an academies in Spain and you don't need to be rich to learn English.

No es un ataque contra tí irmamar, sólo te cuento lo que pasa:)

Originally Posted by irmamar (Post 75919)

Ya lo sé, no te preocupes. Y sé que hay mucha tontería, también. Aunque estoy empezando a pensar que el acento americano es más fácil de entender que el británico. :thinking: :D

Originally Posted by pjt33 (Post 75936)

Lo dices como si hubiera sólo un acento americano y uno británico...

Originally Posted by poli (Post 75942)

A last truth! There are American accents I have trouble understanding.
Just 100 miles south of where I live, the accent is identifialbly different. Within London accents vary quite a bit.

Originally Posted by poli (Post 75942)

A last truth! There are American accents I have trouble understanding.
Just 100 miles south of where I live, the accent is identifialbly different. Within London accents vary quite a bit.

Originally Posted by pjt33 (Post 75936)

Lo dices como si hubiera sólo un acento americano y uno británico...

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 75961)

I don't know why, but I have always disliked that lastly. Yes, finally would have been a good choice instead.

What's wrong with at last=por fin?

To my knowledge, it is ok to end a list with,",... at last (whatever else is the last item)"

I guess it isn't so in English.

Originally Posted by irmamar (Post 75919)

Ya lo sé, no te preocupes. Y sé que hay mucha tontería, también. Aunque estoy empezando a pensar que el acento americano es más fácil de entender que el británico. :thinking: :D

Originally Posted by Charles (Post 75991)

I have never heard "firstly". "Lastly"...yes but it is not common. If it is used it would often be used for emphasis, with feeling, as in the verbal listing of grievances or demands in a confrontation or argument.

First, I want you to tell her you are sorry!
Second, I want you to pay for the damage!
Lastly, don't ever kick a ball in the house again!

I would use third or last or finally. Lastly is OK but it is like a coat and tie with barbecue and beer.

Originally Posted by Here4good (Post 75992)

Lastly is totally and completely common in my neck of the woods, especially in written English when completing a list

Originally Posted by xchic (Post 76012)

Agreed. It's almost as if we were speaking a completely different language to AmE!

Yes, except that the original sentence

Lastly, bring your own shopping bags with you to the supermarket

was taken from an American text!!


I wonder what the differences would be if we had a native AusE speaker here?!

What would my neck of the woods be in AmE or AusE?

How about in the nearby buffalo roamin/ kangaroo hopping area...

Originally Posted by Here4good (Post 76024)

.How about in the nearby buffalo roamin/ kangaroo hopping area.....

Originally Posted by poli (Post 76034)

All this firstly, secondly, lastly stuff is gramatically correct (as far a I can tell), but I hate it stylistically.

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 75906)

I see nothing wrong at all, provided that there has been a list, and this is the last item. I would have said finally, but maybe that's just personal choice.