Lost in translation.....

**bb1** Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:17 pm

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/333377/Lost-in-translation-words-that-hide-our-meaning

LOST IN TRANSLATION...WORDS THAT HIDE OUR MEANING

Tuesday July 17,2012
By Natalie Chalk
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IT’S long been said that Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language.
Now it’s been confirmed by a survey showing that dissembling Britons use 60 “unnecessary” words a day to mask their true feelings.
Rather than get to the point, we are evasive and use long-winded phrases in an attempt to avoid confrontation or hurting someone’s feelings, according to the American study.
But this sometimes backfires, with two in five of those quizzed saying their comments have been misinterpreted, causing an argument. With thousands of Americans about to descend on London for the Olympics, the New York Bakery Co has produced a “translator” guide to help visitors understand what we really mean.
According to its survey, three-quarters of us regularly use the word “Maybe” when we mean “No”.
Britons say “That’s not bad” when they actually mean “That’s good” and many use the phrase “I kind of agree” when they do not agree at all. Other offending phrases include telling workmates “Could we consider some other options?” when what we really mean is “I don’t like your idea”.

And for the ultimate snub a third use “I understand what you are saying” when they mean “I disagree and do not want to discuss it further”.
Many of us Britons even admit we have trouble deciphering what other people really mean and nearly half would prefer to be more like the straight-talking New Yorkers.
The survey claims that, over a lifetime, the average Briton uses 1.7 million unnecessary words – about 60 every day.
But family and friends should watch out – when it comes to communicating with them we have no qualms about speaking our minds.
New York Bakery Co vice president Simon Foster said: “We suspected that Brits often beat around the bush when making a point, but our results prove this is the case.

“Our brand is all about giving the UK a taste of New York and we hope our guide breaks down the waffle to reveal a nation of straight-talkers.”

I couldn't possibly comment.... rofl

**greenink211** Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:06 pm

Normally I would be inclined to suggest that it would appear to me that there is a possibility that the results of this survey have got some semblance of truth within them.

Or as a Yank might say.

"Thats so true!"

Lost in translation.....

Lost in translation.....

Re: Lost in translation.....