The English language fascinates me. What fascinates me about it, is how English speakers from around the world have very different names for the same items. The origins of the language come from the the 5th century when Germanic tribes invaded Britain, and evolved as the area was invaded by the Normans in 1066. Over subsequent years it further developed as people in Britain mixed more with others from around the world, and as the number of words required grew. Enough of the history lesson.
What is interesting to me though is that although the language spoken by all English speakers started in the same place, the words used can vastly differ depending where you live in the world. Take for example the word thong. If an Aussie tells an American they are wearing their thongs it might just seem like too much information. What constitutes a thong is Australia is very different to what it is in the US. In Australia thongs are the rubber slip on shoes known in other parts of the world as flip-flops, slippers or jandals. What is known in the US as thongs we in Australia call g-strings. There are lots of other differences also. There are footpaths and sidewalks, petrol and gas, autumn and fall, nappy and diaper, tap and faucet, mobile phone and cell phone - and the list goes on. The differences have begun to blur over the years though as generations of Australians grow up watching American television and picking up the vocabulary. Already we have changed from patty cakes to cupcakes. The last letter of the alphabet is now often pronounced zee rather than zed, thank you Sesame Street : ).
Mind you in Australia there are words that differ state to state. I remember asking a visitor from Western Australia once if they brought their "togs in their port". They looked me as though I had spoken Klingon. They had brought their "swimmers in their suitcase" we discovered after a bit of explanation.
I am sure that there are squillions of other examples from English speaking countries all over the world. I have used only some that I am familiar with. I also don't know if anyone else finds this interesting or whether I am just a bit weird. I also have a fascination with accents and love listening to how people pronounce the same words from country to country, state to state. I could quite honestly sit and listen to someone on YouTube talking about nothing for hours if I loved their accent. To me it is all just another example of how our similarities and differences make the world even more exciting and beautiful.
On a personal note my other half and I will continue to fight it out every time we go to the fish and chip shop over whether the slices of potato fried in batter are potato scallops (I am a Queenslander) or potato cakes (she is a Victorian). I of course will be right ; ).
References:
http://www.englishclub.com/english-language-history.htm
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Monday, 2 December 2013
My first ever Blog post
Hi everyone it's just me Tracey and this is my first ever blog post. I had never thought of blogging before because I really didn't know if anyone would be interested in my life, or things I do, or what I have to say but then I suddenly decided that if I enjoy writing it then it doesn't matter if anyone reads it. But if you do read this and you enjoy it, then thank you.
Over the past number of years I have suffered from a number of medical problems including chronic arthritis and depression - sometimes quite serious, but in the past year I feel like I am coming out of the fog. For quite a while I rarely left the house except to grocery shop, and communicated with only my close family. I made excuses to myself and others not to do things because I just wasn't able to cope with a lot of situations. Finally though I am starting to find my way again. The arthritis is still a pain (literally) but I have learned to compensate for it mostly, and the depression has abated and I am feeling a zest for life, and an energy that I haven't felt for a very long time. There are a few factors that I can thank for this. Firstly my partner and pets which are my daily joy and constant love and support, as are the rest of my family. Secondly my beautiful dad passed away in August and as devastating as it was, it also reminded me how precious and fleeting life is. Thirdly having not worked for a while I fell into a part time job which I love and which has forced me to start mixing with the world again. Lastly I have developed a passion for organising, craft and Filofaxing ( which I will explain).
About 8 weeks ago I went on to YouTube to look at a movie promo. After viewing the promo and a number of cute cat videos I noticed a bunch of videos on Filofaxes. Now I remembered them from the 80s but hadn't given them a second thought (why would I?). I started watching the videos and I was addicted. Now you might think this strange unless you love them yourself but I have always been a planner person. I love to make lists and schedule my activities but tended to write copious little notes all over the place. This was a way I could combine all my notes, lists and other info all in one tidy packet AND go completely nutso with pretty stuff like stickers and washi tape and post it notes and other crafty stuff. I was in heaven - and so it began. Eight weeks later I am the proud owner of three filofaxes - so far : ) - which I am in the process of preparing for next year. One will be a personal planner, one a household planner and the other I will use to keep track of blogs and the YouTube videos I plan to make. I won't talk about it much this post because I plan to expand on my Filofax obsession in future posts.
The other passion I have developed is organising. I have always been a bit of a neat freak and liked an ordered environment but now I am slowly working my way around the house decluttering and reorganising everything. My craft area is neat and tidy (and growing he he), all my partner's and my shoes are in neat labelled boxes. There are little storage bins and shelves in the pantry etc etc. I plan to make some videos about this also in the near future. It is all very therapeutic and I feel that as I clean and declutter I am also decluttering my brain. Maybe you understand if you too are a crazy organiser.
My intention with this blog is to share with readers not only my filofax passion and organising obsession but to chat about anything that comes to mind that interests, excites or even maybe angers me. If you like my blog please comment and say hi. I am just enjoying the thought that my world may just become a bit bigger and brighter through blogging.
Bye for now and stay happy
Tracey
Over the past number of years I have suffered from a number of medical problems including chronic arthritis and depression - sometimes quite serious, but in the past year I feel like I am coming out of the fog. For quite a while I rarely left the house except to grocery shop, and communicated with only my close family. I made excuses to myself and others not to do things because I just wasn't able to cope with a lot of situations. Finally though I am starting to find my way again. The arthritis is still a pain (literally) but I have learned to compensate for it mostly, and the depression has abated and I am feeling a zest for life, and an energy that I haven't felt for a very long time. There are a few factors that I can thank for this. Firstly my partner and pets which are my daily joy and constant love and support, as are the rest of my family. Secondly my beautiful dad passed away in August and as devastating as it was, it also reminded me how precious and fleeting life is. Thirdly having not worked for a while I fell into a part time job which I love and which has forced me to start mixing with the world again. Lastly I have developed a passion for organising, craft and Filofaxing ( which I will explain).
About 8 weeks ago I went on to YouTube to look at a movie promo. After viewing the promo and a number of cute cat videos I noticed a bunch of videos on Filofaxes. Now I remembered them from the 80s but hadn't given them a second thought (why would I?). I started watching the videos and I was addicted. Now you might think this strange unless you love them yourself but I have always been a planner person. I love to make lists and schedule my activities but tended to write copious little notes all over the place. This was a way I could combine all my notes, lists and other info all in one tidy packet AND go completely nutso with pretty stuff like stickers and washi tape and post it notes and other crafty stuff. I was in heaven - and so it began. Eight weeks later I am the proud owner of three filofaxes - so far : ) - which I am in the process of preparing for next year. One will be a personal planner, one a household planner and the other I will use to keep track of blogs and the YouTube videos I plan to make. I won't talk about it much this post because I plan to expand on my Filofax obsession in future posts.
The other passion I have developed is organising. I have always been a bit of a neat freak and liked an ordered environment but now I am slowly working my way around the house decluttering and reorganising everything. My craft area is neat and tidy (and growing he he), all my partner's and my shoes are in neat labelled boxes. There are little storage bins and shelves in the pantry etc etc. I plan to make some videos about this also in the near future. It is all very therapeutic and I feel that as I clean and declutter I am also decluttering my brain. Maybe you understand if you too are a crazy organiser.
My intention with this blog is to share with readers not only my filofax passion and organising obsession but to chat about anything that comes to mind that interests, excites or even maybe angers me. If you like my blog please comment and say hi. I am just enjoying the thought that my world may just become a bit bigger and brighter through blogging.
Bye for now and stay happy
Tracey
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