Just a vent here, no real point.

Last night I had a meeting with someone. His primary language is Spanish, not English however his English is better than most American born folks. Last night was the first time I have ever met the man.

My speaking style is much different from my writing style. Writing has never been my forte. I accept that, no biggie. Most communication is in real time anyway. Kewl Beans.

So I'm talking to this guy and trying to illustrate points and I was saying things such as:

Kewl beans (yes, I use that in real time too and yes, I know)

The point is beyond most (referring to obesity related issues that non fatties don't get)

For Zog's sakes (hey, I'm not Christian)

Not with the program (not keeping up with the latest)

These aren't the best of examples, I can't think of details. But just visualize this conversation.

Poor Mexican dude is looking at me knowing full well his English is primo yet he doesn't understand a word I am saying. He asked for clarification and I explain using a different colorful expression thinking that one explains what I am trying to say. He still doesn't get it. I explain again and suddenly my friend is laughing realizing I can't speak like a person.

I realized, I speak in riddles.

I am now remembering a time when I was speaking to our house physician at a care home I used to run. I was speaking to he and his student. Every bloody time I would open my mouth he would translate to the student. The student was born in the US and only speaks English, HE didn't even understand me.

Okay, so there is always writing but if anyone knows my writing style that one is out too.

DAMN COMMUNICATION! The hell with it.

Sorry to drag up an old thread but I found this whole thing amusing. I'm Australian but I spend a lot of time communicating online with friends from the US and I take great delight in sprinkling my conversation with the most outlandish Ockerisms I can think of! It makes my day when I come out with something they can't puzzle out - and often that happens when I least expect it! My parents are English, so I also get to draw on a lot of the Cockney rhyming slang, of which my father is a master.

So... g'day mates! Owzit goin? Jeez, I've been flat out like a lizard drinking, I give you the egg flip! No worries if ya can't understand me, she'll be apples in the end!

Even between native English speakers idioms are not understood. There is a province (like a state) in Canada named Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). They have both a very distinct family of accents (that is, accents are very different between communities), as well as idiomatic expressions which are unique and yet the only language spoken is English. To illustrate the uniqueness, there were Canadian and American TV news crews in NL for a major news story several years ago. The American broadcasters interviewed people, and when the segment aired, across the bottom ran a 'translation' of English to English. Another example, in a interview on a US talk show, the host was asking the guests about their experience having been lost in the wilderness for days, and breaking into a cabin. The host asked "What were you thinking" (or some such stupid question). The guests were saying 'Geez b'ys' (roughly translated Gee whiz). The interviewer looked puzzled and then said "You were hoping to find cheese whiz?)

Yes indeed, lovely idiomatic expressions such as 'How's she cuttin?' (how are things going?) and 'tween the jigs 'n the reels" (despite the circumstances) and 'havin' a scuff and scoff' (dinner and dance)...so many lovely colourful phrases which are second nature to the residents and yet visitors find perplexing.

I watch a lot of "Britcoms" and it's funny how when I'm with people who don't normally watch them they act like they need a translator! My daughter is just graduating with a degree in linguistics and she's constantly correcting my speech and it drives me crazy!!!! I was raised around the Mason-Dixon line and can't help it! brandyII:blush:

I speak South fluently. My grandmother is from Australia (she came over in WW II) so I've learned some weird Oz slang, Fanny....like "going to write a Gregory Peck", or "How's the cheese and kisses".

A few summers ago, the wife and I had to go to Ohio. Every time we had to talk to somebody, it became a sort of mini-spectacle. Usually the clerks would say "Excuse me", and then "Where are you from", then "Hey <blank>, come hear this accent". It became a running joke that we were going to get a notebook and write: I am a mute. I cannot communicate verbally, thus this notebook.

Sounds to me like you speak in a very idiosyncratic and colourful way. This is kinda cool, I think. I have my own little problem with language. I am awful fond of the f-bomb! Indeed I am kind of addicted to it.

Me too. It's really hard for me not to use it here. It expresses things other words just can't hold a candle too.

And I am from Louisiana, we are all lucky that anyone can understand anything I write, hum, speak, or mumble.

RSG, I never noticed that you are from S'Port! I drive in all the time to visit friends. I knew I liked you for some reason (besides the funky drawers with the crotch lip-print, heehee). So how do them mudbugs mix with the band?!?