A Different Language

The conversation at our place yesterday: Mike: Mum, do you know what Americans call the bank? Me: No, what do Americans call the bank? Mike: The bairnk. When watching an episode of an American series recently I noticed that the female character talked about getting a "lairmp". From watching what she bought I assume she meant lamp. Apparently, so I'm told, the actors tone down their American accents for filming. Maybe this is so that we can understand them. I think I'd need an interpreter if I went there. Many years ago, when my parents were in LA, the 'bairnk' teller couldn't understand my father. He spoke with a mild English accent even though he'd lived in Australia for 20 years at that point. I also remember when Anika was about 3 or 4 and we were watching "The Importance of Being Earnest" (the good old version with Michael Redgrave). After watching a little while Anika commented, "What language are they speaking Daddy?" Even in Britain the different 'dialects' make for a lot of mistranslation. My Scottish friend asked me one night if I remembered to take my 'chocs'. I had no idea what she was talking about. I couldn't remember her giving me any chocolate so it was a complete mystery until I realised she was talking about craft chalks that I had bought from her craft company. Maybe I should just take pen and paper around for clarification.