American/ British English usage?

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Here4good

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

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.

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by irmamar

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.

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

[poli]

Originally Posted by pjt33

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

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.

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by poli

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.

He empezado un hilo para que los hablemos. Comparte un acento que se hable en tu ubicación

[chileno]

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.

[xchic]

Originally Posted by poli

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.

As there are many British accents I have trouble with!

I remember as a child, visiting a friend's grandmother in the next village 5 miles away. I couldn't understand a word she said!

The Liverpool accent isn't too bad - but a geordie might as well be speaking a different language!

For such a tiny country, the range of accents is incredible!

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by pjt33

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

A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by chileno

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.

Here's an explanation from Practical English Usage by Michael Swan

At last suggests - very strongly - the idea of impatience or inconvenience resulting from a long wait or delay
James has paid me that money at last

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by irmamar

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.

Sí, tal vez más que esnobísmo es tontería

[Charles]

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.

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by Charles

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.

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

[xchic]

Originally Posted by Here4good

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

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

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?

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by xchic

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...

...

[xchic]

Originally Posted by Here4good

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

jejeje/lol!

so the American text said lastly.................

[poli]

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

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by poli

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

Sí tienes en lo cierto , es una palabra que se asume ser correcta pero a todos les molesta la oreja / nos suena un poquito rara, por eso no la usa nadie.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

Originally Posted by Perikles

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.

To me finally sounds more natural