"Resistance is futile - you will be assimilated."
The Borg, Star Trek
I don't mind taking on elements of the culture of my host country... it's natural that I would.
But we have guests from the UK staying with us this week and, because I am now reminded how Londoners speak, I realize how much my vocabulary has changed.
And so I say:
- "Wah-duh" rather than "War-tuh" (mainly because servers in restaurants don't understand what I want otherwise)
- "Hey" rather than "Hello," or even "Hi"
- "See ya" rather than "Cheers"
- "What's up with you?" rather than "How are you?"
- "I'm sick" rather than "I'm ill"
- "Can we get the check?" rather than "Can we please have the bill?"
- "Good job!" rather than "Well done!"
It's most noticeable when I swear:
- No longer "Bollocks!" but "Asswipe!"
- No longer "Pillock!" but "Dickwad!"
- No longer "Arsehole" but "Asshole"
I wonder if learning how to say "Ass" rather than "Arse" qualifies me for citizenship?
I'm not sure that would have been helpful in my Green Card interview... but you never know...