Translation guide for working with the British
As a Briton living in Belgium and working throughout Europe I found this to be a very useful translation guide for anyone working with the British :-
| WHAT THE BRITISH SAY | WHAT THE BRITISH MEAN | WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THINKS THE BRITISH MEAN |
| By the way, … | What I really want to talk about … | This is not important. |
| Could we consider some other options? | I think your idea stinks. | He has not yet made a decision. |
| I almost agree. | I don’t agree at all. | He almost agrees. |
| I hear what you say. | I disagree and do not want to discuss it any further. | He accepts my point of view. |
| I was a bit disappointed … | I went ballistic … | It doesn’t matter. |
| I would suggest … | This an order. | I am welcome to do it, if I agree. |
| I’ll bear it in mind. | I am not going to do anything about it. | He’ll probably do it. |
| I’m sure it’s my fault. | It is your fault, bloody fool! | It’s his fault. |
| It is a pity. | I am angry. | It doesn’t really matter. |
| Perhaps you’d like to think about … | Do it. | He wants me to think about it. |
| Please think about this some more. | This idea stinks: don’t do it! | He thinks this idea has potential. |
| Quite good. | A bit disappointing. | Quite good. |
| That is an original point of view. | You need a good doctor. | He likes my mind. |
| That’s not bad. | That’s good or very good. | It’s poor or mediocre. |
| Very interesting. | I don’t believe you. / I don’t agree. | He is impressed |
| With the greatest respect … | I think you are wrong (or a fool) … | He is listening to me. |
| You must come for dinner sometime. | Goodbye. | He’s going to ask me over for a meal. |
| You’ll get there eventually. | You’ve got a snowball-in-hell’s chance, mate. | He is encouraging me to go on. |
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