Friday, March 2, 2012

An Open Apology

The best part of living abroad, is all the different cultures and accents.My mates and I always get into conversations on how we pronounce certain words. We even laugh at each other. It's fun. We never tease someone who's not there. We basically poke fun at one another.

What isn't fun is having people say you make them cringe.

Yes cringe!

Ok, so no one actually came out and told me that, but recently I was involved in a discussion where some acquaintances commented that when they see the word learnt, it makes them cringe.

Cringe!
Are you kidding me????

So then it got me thinking.
OMG.
I must really make some people cringe. 

And so, I would like to apologise.
I'm sorry I make you cringe with the use of the verb learnt.

I'm Canadian and learnt British spelling.
I mean not to offend by spelling colour and favourite with a u.
Grey is spelt with an e not an a.

Yes, my son wore nappies
and not a diaper.
We throw our trash in the rubbish.
I buy my food at the supermarket
and my medicine at the pharmacy.
I watch a movie at the cinema
and go to the theatre to see a live show.

My rain boots are called Wellies.
I'm not sure where that comes from.
Some mates call them Gum Boots.

Ah yes,
I have mates

I do make sure I disappoint everyone.
Scott hates the way I pronounce
tomato.
He says I must remember I'm a Canadian
and not British.

Oh, and my British mate hates how I think that
ferry and fairy
are homophones.

However,
I do not think that
ant and aunt are.

I was living in Korea when I read my first Harry Potter book.
I borrowed a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
I later bought a copy of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. 

I do hope my apology is accepted,
even though I spell apologise
with an s not a z.
(That would be zed not zee
unless singing the ABC song)

someecards.com - I apologise for not knowing which way you want me to spell apologize.












4 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

It doesn't make me cringe at all. In fact, I find it charming.

=)

Karen Mortensen said...

I agree with Sue.

Darlene said...

I sort of like the British way though. You did forget one word on your listing of the way you spell. We use spelled instead of spelt :), however. I wonder where all these differences come from. After all, we Americans do speak ENGLISH.

There is one thing that does make me cringe, however. It is when people use really bad grammer. English was my very best subject in school and I used to correct my kids a lot whenever they used incorrect grammar, and I think they grew up feeling the same way. Does that make me a person who needs to apologize? (or should I say apologise)?

Kim said...

I read so many international blogs, that I don't even notice. I do have to read a sentence twice sometimes when I come across a nickname for something I don't know (like gum boots). But I usually get it.
No apologies ever needed. I think it is fantastic.