Quote:
Originally Posted by NomDePlume
Well, for one, there are its people. Mind you, physically, they may look just like you, and use the same words (more or less) than you do, smile like you, etc. But they possess a wit that's quite unlike yours. I'm not saying that it's better or worse. It's different. The major difference that I have observed for the past 38 years is that they use the language in a different way. They play with it. They make you think. They make you cry or laugh with it in a way no other language does. Because each language--and the people that use it as their own--has its own subtle and amazing differences.
When you go to the United Kingdom--and I sincerely hope you do--make listening at least as important as looking a part of your total experience. I did. And loved it. And am still learning from it every day.
Very sincerely,
Marie-Louise
who is neither American nor Canadian, Brit, Scot, Irish, or Welsh, but adores the language with all it's accents.
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I agree, except for the Welsh part. Someone tried to teach me to pronounce that double L and I almost swallowed my tongue!
One thing I would ask any visitor to the UK is NOT to run to McD's or KFC, etc when you're in London (or anywhere else you are). I remember on our second or third trip, we took this very touristy but very fun 'bus ride to murder' that took us to the jack the ripper sites, etc in London. We heard some Americans on the bus going on and on about how happy they were to have found a KFC or some such thing. Don't eat in American chain restaurants--go local. Try the pubs. Try the local food. For all the jokes about 'British cuisine' being an oxymoron, you can find great food in local restaurants. Sit at the bar and chat with the bartender--you'll learn a lot.
As for things to see, since jp20 wants to go back OT, there is far too much to see in dozens of trips (trust me, we've tried!). You have to tailor your trips to your own likes. We like museums and theater. And not just in London. We've been to plays in Bath, York, Scarborough (a theater owned by Alan Aykbourn!), mystery plays in Chester, outdoor Shakespeare in Kent. We've been to most of the Roman sites, and lots of industrial museums.
If you like hiking or walking the British countryside will take your breath away. Everything is so GREEN. (Of course, that's becasue God waters it a lot!  ) And there are lots of public walking trails. My 80-something English relatives still like to walk in the Yorkshire Dales, although not as far as they used to.
If you're thinking about going to England, do research! Read travel books, go to travel websites. The best use of the collective brains on a site like this is to ask specific questions (Like is it worth it to ride the London Eye?). If you do some research, the answer to your question will be: you'll look forward to a wonderful trip!
Kathy |