Lost in Translation
May 27th 2010 11:09
When my husband and I arrived in Australia last year, I honestly thought after spending six years with him, that communicating with other Australians wouldn’t be a problem. I heard all (or most) of the standard Aussie sayings like “flat out like a lizard drinking” or “she’ll be right, mate” at least a thousand times.
I mean, how different could another country be? We all speak English right?
But what I didn’t understand is when you are in another country, you tend to start using some of the local sayings just for the sake of communicating more easily. A lot of your own sayings sort of fall to the wayside and are forgotten. So there were a few things I never heard until actually living here.
Anyway, a couple of months after our arrival, I was about five months pregnant and really wanting a shake. So my husband took me to Wendy’s and I ordered the largest shake I saw on the board.
Well, when the girl handed it to me I was just fine with the abundance of ice cream and toppings and couldn't wait to dig in. Now I must preface this by telling you that I was in a busy, noisy shopping mall and she had the accent, not me. (Wink, wink)
So the girl said to me, "Is that the lot?"
Well, here in Australia that is a very common saying but we don’t use it where I’m from. So my American ear heard, "Is that a lot?" While staring at the heaping shake and smiling like an idiot, I shrugged my shoulders like, “Sure.”
I thought, "How nice of her to check! She must understand pregnancy.”
Well, of course she was a bit confused as to how I replied and looked at me like I was a few chips short of a happy meal. At this point I realized there must have been a discrepancy in our communication and turned to look at my husband who, while trying to hide a smile, gave me absolutely no help in understanding.
Well, needless to say, after about four rounds of her saying "Is that THE lot?" and me half smiling, confused and not responding she finally said, "Is that all?"
Well, I don't want to brag, but I am in college and I realized at this point that she was making sure I didn't need anything else with my order. Boy, I’m sharp. So you can see, how a little bit of noise, a slight accent, and an over exuberant need for a milkshake can cause much confusion for a Yank in Oz.
But what I didn’t understand is when you are in another country, you tend to start using some of the local sayings just for the sake of communicating more easily. A lot of your own sayings sort of fall to the wayside and are forgotten. So there were a few things I never heard until actually living here.
Anyway, a couple of months after our arrival, I was about five months pregnant and really wanting a shake. So my husband took me to Wendy’s and I ordered the largest shake I saw on the board.
Well, when the girl handed it to me I was just fine with the abundance of ice cream and toppings and couldn't wait to dig in. Now I must preface this by telling you that I was in a busy, noisy shopping mall and she had the accent, not me. (Wink, wink)
So the girl said to me, "Is that the lot?"
Well, here in Australia that is a very common saying but we don’t use it where I’m from. So my American ear heard, "Is that a lot?" While staring at the heaping shake and smiling like an idiot, I shrugged my shoulders like, “Sure.”
I thought, "How nice of her to check! She must understand pregnancy.”
Well, of course she was a bit confused as to how I replied and looked at me like I was a few chips short of a happy meal. At this point I realized there must have been a discrepancy in our communication and turned to look at my husband who, while trying to hide a smile, gave me absolutely no help in understanding.
Well, needless to say, after about four rounds of her saying "Is that THE lot?" and me half smiling, confused and not responding she finally said, "Is that all?"
Well, I don't want to brag, but I am in college and I realized at this point that she was making sure I didn't need anything else with my order. Boy, I’m sharp. So you can see, how a little bit of noise, a slight accent, and an over exuberant need for a milkshake can cause much confusion for a Yank in Oz.
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