English to English is The Guardian New York newsroom's new Tumblr blog which attempts to chronicle and catalogue (catalog?) UK-US cultural differences, poke fun at the ‘special’ relationship and build a living glossary of news, slang and pop culture terms. Here's a video from the blog.
COMMENT The English to English blog's been going for just over a month, and there's already a lot of really interesting content. Readers can Request/Submit a translation, and tweet using the hashtag #eng2eng, but it's a pity that there is no "Comment" feature on the blog where you can contribute ideas. One to follow all the same.
BACKGROUND
Recently, Google, Amazon, Apple, and other big international companies have been under fire for their corporate tax avoidance schemes. However, speaking at Google's own Big Tent conference in Hertfordshire, Eric Schmidt, the head of Google, denied the search giant's tax operations were "unethical", claiming that it was for governments to create the laws and for businesses to abide by them. He said that multinational companies could not try to obey "the spirit of the law" when they operated in many jurisdictions and had a duty to their shareholders. Full story >>
THE CARTOON The cartoon by Peter Brookes from The Times shows the extended Google logo that you find at the bottom of their search page, but with a comma in the middle.
EXPLANATION By adding a comma, the cartoonist makes the 'O's seem like the zeroes in a large number — the amount of money Google is not paying in UK tax, for example ...
NOTE In representing large numbers, English texts usually use commas to separate each group of three digits. This is almost always done for numbers of six or more digits, and often for five or four digits. However, in much of Europe, Southern Africa and Latin America, periods or spaces are used instead; the comma is used as a decimal separator, equivalent to the use in English of the decimal point. [Source: Wikipedia]
EXAMPLES • 1,200 = one thousand two hundred • 6,000,000 = six million • 39,786,653 = thirty-nine million, seven hundred and eight-six thousand, six hundred and fifty-three • 1,000,000,000 = one billion
Residents in southeast London tell of their shock over the killing of a British soldier in a suspected Islamist attack. Paul Chapman reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: The killing of a British soldier on the streets of London in a suspected Islamist attack has shocked the nation. The victim was hit by a car in broad daylight, then hacked to death by two men wielding machetes and knives. Witnesses said the attackers shouted "God is Greatest" in Arabic as they tried to behead their victim. Police shot and wounded the two suspects whose identities have not yet been released. Residents in the southeast district of Woolwich described the scene. TENISAN PGBE, WOOLWICH RESIDENT: "I saw all these police vehicles, ambulances, and everything come around. A black male was put on the stretcher and the ambulance to the hospital and somebody was lying on the floor - I couldn't really see the person - and another person was put in the air ambulance." LAUREN COLLINS, WITNESS: "I was on the bus and I'd seen a body laying in the road which at first I thought was a road traffic collision, so I've gotten off the bus and realised that there were a couple of helicopters overhead and there was a lot of police." REPORTER: About 100 supporters of the far-right English Defence League marching near the scene after the attack clashed with police in what appeared to be a backlash. Separately, two men were arrested in connection with separate attacks on mosques outside London. The government says the killing of the soldier appeared to be a terrorist attack.
BACKGROUND This cartoon by Chappatte from the International Herald Tribune relates to Apple CEO Tim Cook's appearance before the U.S.Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (which is presently looking into the tax code). Chairman Carl Levin (D-Michigan) accused Apple of "exploiting an absurdity [in US tax laws] that we have not seen other corporations use," referring to a loophole he believes should be closed. Read more >>
THE CARTOON A committee member asks Tim Cook, "Why would the world's most profitable company avoid paying taxes?!" To which Cook replies, "To remain the world's most profitable company."
COMMENT In fact, Cook maintained that Apple pays US taxes on its US profits as it should, and vigorously denied charges that Apple had set up "ghost" corporations for the sole purpose of hiding profits. The Apple CEO specifically pointed out to the senators that Apple did not send any US profits overseas, paid all taxes on sales throughout the Americas at the US tax rate, and repeatedly reminded them that Apple set up the Irish corporation that handles its European sales in 1980 -- long before bad economies or the current corporate tax situation -- and that it operates essentially unchanged from then. So that's OK then ...
VOCABULARY A profitable organization or practice makes a profit, i.e., it earns more money than it loses. • Drug manufacturing is the most profitable business in America.
GRAMMAR Note that you avoid doing something not "avoid to do" it.
Sotheby's is auctioning first edition books with handwritten notes by the authors and the top lot is the first Harry Potter novel containing revealing commentary by J.K. Rowling. Tara Cleary reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: The first edition of the first Harry Potter book. Its value would normally be set at around $30,000 U.S. dollars. But this particular version is worth a lot more, says Sotheby's specialist Philip Errington, as it contains handwritten notes by its author, J.K. Rowling. DR PHILIP ERRINGTON: "The sale title is 'First Editions, Second Thoughts' and the authors really have done that, they've had second thoughts on their texts they have revised, they've annotated, they've put illustrations in, they have really engaged with their original texts." REPORTER: One of Rowling's notes explains the idea for Quidditch: ACTOR READING J.K. ROWLING'S NOTES: "Quidditch was invented in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend. I had been pondering the things that hold society together, cause it to congregate and signify its particular character and knew I needed a sport. It infuriates men … which is quite satisfying given my state of mind when I invented it." REPORTER: Other annotated first publications include Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's Diary", Roald Dahl's "Matilda" and Ann [sic] Martel's "Life of Pi". The "First Editions, Second Thoughts" auction took place on May 21st with the first edition Harry Potter book selling at 150,000 British pounds or 227,000 U.S. dollars.
The Daily Express reports on the £70m bill for the taxpayer caused by unpaid NHS treatment for foreign patients. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A rip-off is an instance of stealing, cheating, or financial exploitation. • Rip-off charges which can destroy the value of a worker's hard-earned pension should be banned 'without delay', a report from MPs will warn.
BACKGROUND For more than 40 years, England fans have wanted the national football team to be more like the Germans. Now, it seems, they’ve got their wish. For the England team’s latest kit bears a striking resemblance to the strip worn by West Germany in 1966. The kit, unveiled yesterday, was designed by Nike to mark the 150th anniversary of the Football Association. Full story >>
THE CARTOON The cartoon by Andy Davey from The Sun shows the England team in the dressing room before a match. Three players (Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Andy Carroll) are putting on lederhosen — leather breeches which are traditional Bavarian men's clothing. Cole tells the manager Roy Hodgson, "Boss — these aren't going to make us play like Germans." You can say that again!
VOCABULARY 1. Footballers traditionally address their manager/trainer/coach as boss. In fact, recently retired Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players they can call him all the names under the sun - but never to refer to him as 'boss' again. Read more >> 2. Kit is special clothing and equipment that you use when you take part in a particular activity, especially a sport.
Search and rescue begins in an area near Oklahoma City Monday, after a tornado leaves widespread destruction. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: Search and rescue efforts are underway in parts of Oklahoma City after a massive tornado leveled homes and buildings. Two hospitals have received dozens of injured from the tornado. Several are in critical condition. The widespread debris has left many to fear the worst. A young man who worked in a stable survived. SURVIVOR LANDO HITE SAYING: "When they started flying I just dove in a stall and that's about the last, I got covered up with some debris and it pushed me down the shed row. I was pretty lucky I suppose." REPORTER: The grief has only just begun. UNNAMED SURVIVOR: "Why couldn't this just have hit my house and left this place alone." REPORTER: Witnesses say the tornado appeared more fierce than the giant twister that was among the dozens that tore up the region in 1999, killing more than 40 people.
VOCABULARY If you sneer at someone or something, you express your contempt for them by the expression on your face or by what you say. • There is too great a readiness to sneer at anything the Opposition does.
THE CARTOON The scene is a meeting of the Cabinet. The ministers are sitting around the Cabinet table in leather-backed chairs. However, only the tops of their heads are visible (Prime Minister David Cameron, third from left, can be recognized by his hair). The title of the cartoon, 'Highest Office', refers to the office of Prime Minister, but the expression is used ironically to describe the lack of stature of the current Cabinet, who are visibly not 'up to the job'. The blank sheet of paper in front of each minister can be seen as symbolizing their lack of ideas. The message seems to be that we have a Cabinet of pygmies rather than giants.
VOCABULARY 1. In a room, the fireplace is the place where a fire can be lit and the area on the wall and floor surrounding this place. 2. A mantelpiece is a wood or stone shelf which is the top part of a border round a fireplace. 3. A candlestick is a narrow object with a hole at the top which holds a candle.
One winning ticket for a record U.S. Powerball lottery jackpot worth 590.5 million dollars was sold in Florida, organizers say. Sarah Charlton reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: It's the moment millions of Americans have been waiting for. The numbers for the Powerball are drawn for a jackpot rivalling the largest lottery payout in U.S. history. A winning ticket was sold in Florida for Saturday's (May 18) record of more than 590 million dollars, officials say. It's the largest jackpot the Powerball lottery has ever seen. The chances of picking the lucky numbers were one in 175 million. But that didn't deter people from snatching up tickets at a staggering rate. California sold a million dollars worth every hour on Saturday. Here in Washington, hopefuls were keen whatever the odds. STEPHEN ADEKOYA, LOTTERY BUYER : "You got to give it a try, you may succeed. It's like life, you go to sleep, you don't know if you are going to wake up the next day, that's how I feel about it." REPORTER: The largest jackpot in the U.S. came last year in the Mega Millions lottery, where 656 million dollars were split between winners in three states.
VOCABULARY A jackpot is the most valuable prize in a game or lottery, especially when the game involves increasing the value of the prize until someone wins it.
VOCABULARY If you plead with someone to do something, you ask them in an intense, emotional way to do it. • The lady pleaded with her daughter to come back home.
Google Glass makes people antsy, so manners experts say etiquette rules are in order. Fred Katayama reports.
TRANSCRIPT
REPORTER: It's cool and fashionable ... and it may be rude. It's Google Glass, the wearable computer. Users get stares, but those being seen get antsy. Since the Glass can record and share pictures, video and sound, some fear they'll be robbed of their privacy ... especially in private places. Thomas Farley is writing a book on high tech etiquette. THOMAS P. FARLEY, MANNERS COLUMNIST, NEW YORK POST: "I think there's a lot of curiosity right now about Google Glass. Obviously, it's in its initial rollout so not many people have it. We don't see it out on the streets yet. But people know it's coming, so there's lots of curiosity about how to act as a wearer but also for the person who's in the presence of a wearer." REPORTER: Here are some etiquette tips so you don't get banned as a visual voyeur. Take the bathroom, for example. Wearing it there or anywhere where cameras aren't welcome like locker rooms is a no-no as shown in this Mashable video. MASHABLE VIDEO: "What's up? ... This isn't what we mean by livestreaming." REPORTER: Google can put the world's library of data right in front of your eyes. But don't use that to be a know-it-all blowhard, advises Mashable's editor-in-chief, Lance Ulanoff, who has used these glasses. LANCE ULANOFF, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MASHABLE: "You can say, 'Google, what's the price of a hamburger in France?' Boom. It would give you that information, and so you could either seem like the smartest person at the party or the world's most annoying person." REPORTER: Is there a word for those kind of people? LANCE ULANOFF, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MASHABLE: "We're calling them 'glassholes'." REPORTER: And by all means, don't wear it on a date. THOMAS P. FARLEY, MANNERS COLUMNIST, NEW YORK POST: "Where it get to be a little more of an intimate ... you're out on a date, I wouldn't be wearing them on a date, no way, no how. You're gonna scare that date away in about two seconds flat." REPORTER: Wearers draw glances wherever they go. The best way to put people at ease: take them off and let them wear it for themselves. These are, after all, powerful instruments. As Spiderman's Peter Parker said: with great power comes great responsibility.
VOCABULARY British English speakers may be wondering why they shouldn't wear the Glass in the 'bathroom'. It's a question of vocabulary: Americans use the word 'bathroom' for what we Brits call the 'toilet'.
David Cameron has been told by Conservative activists that he must repair the broken relationship between the party leadership and the grassroots branded by one of his inner circle as “swivel-eyed loons”. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A loon is a person who has strange ideas or who behaves in a strange way. • A top Tory has labelled Conservative grassroots "mad swivel-eyed loons" for pressuring Conservative MPs into supporting a eurosceptic amendment to the Queen's Speech.
