whatnauts, Canadian English is much more like British English...and especially spelling.
PJ, oh....I'll bet you've experienced that many times! It occurs to me that a great book could be written about the differences with people giving their anecdotal experiences. I think it's great though, that there is actually a book on the differences.
Dear Mandy and Wendy - guess who learnt some of those differences the hard way!. You learn pretty quick though (embarrassment is a tough teacher). My cross-cultural experiences do give humorous dimensions to life.
I've used a very handy little book on differences in English / American usage.
PJ
Hey, I learned something new again - here in Canada we use pyjamas. I didn't realize it was different in the US. Must be because of our British heritage.
Mandy, in talking to davedave as much as I do, there have been quite a few times where words that are 'naughty' in English, are perfectly acceptable in British English (not naughty at all), and then vice versa.
But didn't I ever mention that I barely understand a word you say in your emails? I just pretend that I know what you're trying to say.
Yup, British English is full of ways to catch a person out - including weird spellings and meanings of commonly used words... I'm amazed we can communicate so successfully!!!
Mandy, I thought I'd already mentioned to you that I'm still learning British English. It's a tough language to learn. LOL!
PJ, I have some UK friends on Jigidi (Mandy being one of them), and I'm chuckling at what you just said re: "I am influenced by both American and British English." There really are some surprising differences.
Monza - I am influenced by both American and British English. When speaking I can use both. I use American English in writing - most of the time. Jigidi is such an informal site - so I have honestly not paid attention to usage variations.
Thank you Wendy and Monza for your concern. PJ.
Errrr Wendy - since PJ is in Europe, I believe pyjamas should be the correct spelling!!!!
"Pajamas is the preferred spelling in American English. Pyjamas is preferred in most varieties of English from outside North America." http://grammarist.com/spelling/pajamas-pyjamas/ (I only mention it to assist with your concern to remember PJ is PJ!!! LOL - and I didn't know PJ preferred it, so I will remember it too).
Thank you - my knowing English language is a loooong story. I'd forgotten about the pajamas part. Since Norway is a small country, learning languages is part of our upbringing. Today, some start even in kindergarden.
PJ
PJ, that's great, and it will definitely cause less confusion. For now on, my only concern is that I remember to call you PJ. In the US, PJs are pajamas...so I'll try and connect you with pajamas in some way or another.
English isn't your first language? I'm very surprised if that's the case. You speak perfect English.
Dear Wendy.
1. I've already made a special comment to Jan(JiggyBelle). You see, my Norwegian name is too weird in international settings and not spellable on Jigidi - so I'm honestly quite happy with PJ.
2. Puzzles are the focus point, and escalating alliterations will be too much. Once in a while it is fun and we like to honor you in that way. Just you answer "Thank you" - we like you to spend your "time" creating puzzles and comment, not feeling the need to join in word games as well. (As is, you do give creative, fine, helpful and humorous comments.)
Greetings, PJ
Jan, would you rather that I call you PJ? And then the other thing is, is that I replied to your comment on another puzzle where I mentioned that it doesn't really bother me at all that a bunch of you come up with alliterative comments. I only wish I could come up with alliterative replies. ;-)
I'll probably make more of these. I made this a few months ago and was going to post it around Christmas time but changed my mind. I didn't have enough puzzles for today so I grabbed it.
Ardy, Mandy, Mary, and whatnauts, I'm running out of words! I'll just say thank you very much, and note that there's a new dance from Mary, the Regal Flower Dance which I'll have to learn when I have the time. LOL
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