4 ms·
> In cases like “fillet” and “valet” American English goes with “French” pronunciation. I recall seeing an American somewhere in France getting frustrated when
by KineticLensman 3y ago
> In cases like “fillet” and “valet” American English goes with “French” pronunciation.
I recall seeing an American somewhere in France getting frustrated when hotel staff couldn't understand what he meant by "maître-d", with his emphasis increasingly placed on the 'dee' as he got more and more annoyed.
(disclaimer: Brit here, not defending our pronunciation of Worcestershire)
- bitwize 3y agoThank you for the hilarious image of an obnoxious American tourist shouting "I need to talk to the Mater DEE!" at a baffled Frenchman. > (disclaimer: Brit here, not defending our pronunciation of Worcestershire) The Americans typically pronounce it some form of "Wooshishurr". I used to live in Massachusetts, and my wife would complain about the British-inspired place names and their local pronunciation. "I'm from Louisiana, I can't with your New England names! There's no 'lemon' in Leominster!" I would gently remind her of how 'Natchitoches' is pronounced; it's certainly not as written.
- KineticLensman 3y agoThe North Americans got their own back on me on one trip when I asked for a glass of 'water'. I increased my southern English accent until I was saying 'wart-er'. I then realised that I needed to say 'wadder' and then it worked; service with big smiles all round.