Streams Video • Chatterbug

Do Brits mean what they say?

intermediate

Do Brits mean what they say?

with MaxBex

4. Intermediate

Learn the difference between what British people say and what they actually mean.

'Small Talk'

What Brits say vs What they mean!

'Small Talk'

What Paddington tells us about German v British manners

'The German language doesn't even have an expression for "small talk", she says. It is so alien that in the German translation of A Bear called Paddington - Paddington unser kleiner Bär - it was omitted.'

So this exchange of small talk occurs in the English original: "'Hallo Mrs Bird,' said Judy. 'It's nice to see you again. How's the rheumatism?' 'Worse than it's ever been' began Mrs. Bird." In the German edition, this passage is simply cut.

How are you?

"How are you?" "I'm fine thank you, and you?" "Fine thanks"

Such horrible weather today!

"How are you?" "I'm fine thank you, and you?" "Fine thanks"

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

Mr and Mrs

"Shall we get started?" "Maybe we should get down to business now." "It was very nice to meet you." "It was nice seeing you again." "I look forward to seeing you again."

I have to go, but let's grab a coffee sometime!

"there seems to be a little bit of an issue with this" "I think I noticed a small mistake in here"

"Would it be ok if..." "Would you mind..."

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress."

Pick the correct answer

I think I noticed a mistake here. I might be wrong though.

Pick the correct answer

How do you ask someone's name?

Type your answer

How are you?

Type your answer

Give me an order, but British style!

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Full Video Duration: 15 minutes
Aired: almost 4 years ago

'Small Talk'

What Brits say vs What they mean!

'Small Talk'

What Paddington tells us about German v British manners

'The German language doesn't even have an expression for "small talk", she says. It is so alien that in the German translation of A Bear called Paddington - Paddington unser kleiner Bär - it was omitted.'

So this exchange of small talk occurs in the English original: "'Hallo Mrs Bird,' said Judy. 'It's nice to see you again. How's the rheumatism?' 'Worse than it's ever been' began Mrs. Bird." In the German edition, this passage is simply cut.

How are you?

"How are you?" "I'm fine thank you, and you?" "Fine thanks"

Such horrible weather today!

"How are you?" "I'm fine thank you, and you?" "Fine thanks"

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

Mr and Mrs

"Shall we get started?" "Maybe we should get down to business now." "It was very nice to meet you." "It was nice seeing you again." "I look forward to seeing you again."

"Shall we get started?" "Maybe we should get down to business now." "It was very nice to meet you." "It was nice seeing you again." "I look forward to seeing you again."

I have to go, but let's grab a coffee sometime!

"there seems to be a little bit of an issue with this" "I think I noticed a small mistake in here"

"Would it be ok if..." "Would you mind..."

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress."

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