English/American language help please! Thanks!
Discussion
Hello! I am pleased to be a new member here, everyone seems nice and kind in this site so I ask for help with English? This is the right place, yes? I hope you can.
I learned English from Americans and internet, was hard work and I can write OK mostly but not talk so well I think. I am in London studying now, learn English and English English is not like American English, and my friends here who I meet here in London laughs at me sometimes because I sound Japanese but talk American.
My friend says for example that American English say "ass" for "behind (that you sit on, part of your body)" but English English means aninmal, like horse (that you ride). He says it is funny, also a bad word. But not very bad, in English is "arse". So my questions: is "arse" used like bad word here? And do I must learn others like this to stop sound like "ameko" (American kid)? Thanksyou, this site is great. Also London is beautiful city, I like English beer! :) :)
I learned English from Americans and internet, was hard work and I can write OK mostly but not talk so well I think. I am in London studying now, learn English and English English is not like American English, and my friends here who I meet here in London laughs at me sometimes because I sound Japanese but talk American.
My friend says for example that American English say "ass" for "behind (that you sit on, part of your body)" but English English means aninmal, like horse (that you ride). He says it is funny, also a bad word. But not very bad, in English is "arse". So my questions: is "arse" used like bad word here? And do I must learn others like this to stop sound like "ameko" (American kid)? Thanksyou, this site is great. Also London is beautiful city, I like English beer! :) :)
OK Silverson, I am so sorry for using it. It is not offensive to you I hope, or it would be like a shame for me, this is so many nice people here. I do not want to make them angry!
Andy, thanks to you, you are kind. English I started to learn in school (boring!) but learn more from reading and internet.
I try to learn talking better.
Andy, thanks to you, you are kind. English I started to learn in school (boring!) but learn more from reading and internet.
I try to learn talking better.
there are no HUGE differences between english and american, most people will know what you mean if you talk in american english, everybody watches american films and tv after all. we would even know what you meant if you said 'ass', we wouldn't think you were talking about sitting on a donkey.
basically, don't worry about it
basically, don't worry about it
KidoButai said:
No I am not Nigerian. I am from Japan (near Osaka). Where do you live?
I didn't say you were Nigerian, just your style of English remided me of the Nigerian spammers, perhaps they get their English from America too.
On the subject of English/American the best example I can give is cars......
Tyre/Tire
Bonnet/Hood
Wing/Fender
Boot/Trunk
etc.
KidoButai said:
My friend says for example that American English say "ass" for "behind (that you sit on, part of your body)" but English English means aninmal, like horse (that you ride).
not wishing to confuse you further but you can also ride an arse.
(see the michelle thorne thread from last week)
yertis said:
Yes. Arse is a bad word.
Don't wind the kid up Silversan.
Kido, it is perfectly acceptable to use "arse" in everyday situations, and is often used as an alternative to "thank-you".
you forgot to mention that hole is usually added onto the end when used to say goodbye, just saying arse would be like just saying 'thank', with the 'you' 
r988 said:
agreed, this is correct in an informal situation but should the occasion require a more formal farewell surely 'suck my piles' is more appropriate?
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