The first thing that visitors from outside of the United Kingdom (UK) should appreciate is that the UK's full name is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  The UK is an archipelago made up of the countries of England, Scotland and Wales and the province of  Northern Ireland which, although part of the mainland of the island of Ireland, is a province of the United Kingdom.  Great Britain is just the mainland and islands of England, Scotland and Wales.

(The Channel Island bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, and the Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies, this means they are constitutionally tied to the British monarch but are not part of the UK)

Although it is common for foreigners to use the terms "British" and "English" as though they are interchangeable, you must appreciate the difference.  The United Kingdom is a political union of countries - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  Just as you would never call a Texan a Yankee, you should be careful of using "England" or "English" in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Likewise, using the term "British" to describe someone from Northern Ireland is equally likely to cause offence.

English-speakers from outside the UK will find few problems in making themselves understood.  Many people in the UK have friends and relatives throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Africa, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the Caribbean.

The UK is home to an astounding number of languages, dialects and accents, many of which are quite bewildering to visitors from other parts of the UK, not to mention foreign visitors.  Some dialects run along the borders of the four constituent countries but other trends follow ancient borders no longer marked (e.g. the Danelaw, the Saxon Kingdoms).   Some of these dialects will already be familiar to other English-speakers through movies like The Full Monty (Yorkshire, specifically Sheffield, in England), anything starring the Beatles (Liverpool in England) and any British gangster movie (London in England) and Trainspotting (Edinburgh in Scotland),    Most unfamiliar phrases will be obvious from context, and once locals realise they are speaking to someone from out of town, they will usually make an effort to moderate their speech towards standard English.

If English is not your first language, remember that fluent speakers of other languages were quite uncommon in England, even in the hospitality industry. The situation is naturally different in larger cities, and is improving vastly due to a strong influx of migrant workers in the country and the need for effective communication.  Nevertheless, if you cannot speak English, you will have a hard time travelling in the UK.

Until recently French was a compulsory academic subject in Scotland, taught for up to five years, and is therefore the foreign language most commonly understood by Scots, followed by German, Spanish and Italian. 

All schools in Wales teach both English and Welsh, and in a growing number of schools Welsh is the medium for teaching the entire curriculum.   

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it was compulsory for school pupils to take a course in a foreign language.   The range of foreign languages taught  varied and included the traditional European languages such as French, German and Spanish and some schools, mainly private, also teach Chinese Mandarin, or Russian or Arabic. Some attempts are being made to start teaching foreign languages earlier, at primary school level. Schools in England increasingly encourage exchange trips abroad and further language study.

Here are a few tips to get you started, mainly with the American traveller in mind:

Clothing:  The word "pants" means underwear in Britain.  What Americans would refer to as "pants" are called "trousers" in the UK. Y-fronted underpants are also known as "Y-fronts" or  "undies". Also "trainers" are tennis shoes or sneakers.  You'll often see "no trainers" listed in the dress code of clubs.

Places: Main Road=Turnpike, Slip Road=Off Ramp, Motorway=Freeway, Petrol Station/Filling Station=Gas Station, Level Crossing=Railroad Crossing, Zebra Crossing=Pedestrian Crossing, Off Licence/Off Sales=Liquor Store, Public Toilet=Restroom; Chemist=Drug Store

Foods:  Aubergine = eggplant, courgette = zucchini, baps/cobs/muffins/stotties/barmcakes = soft rolls, white coffee = coffee with milk, biscuit = cookie, chips = fat french fries, crisps = chips, coriander=cilantro, bangers=sausages, mash=mashed potatoes, piece (Scotland only)=sandwich.

Misc: lift=elevator, queue=line, bin=trash, brilliant=wonderful,  "I'll give you a lift" = "I'll give you a ride", "I'll give you a ring/bell" = "I'll call you", pissed=drunk (not angry),  "boot" used in context of a car = "trunk", Petrol=Gas/Gasoline, Cashpoint/Hole In The Wall=ATM

Hand signals:  There's only one that really matters.  When you're indicating the number "two" with your fingers (as in, "two pints, please", it is advised to use your thumb and first finger, NOT your first and middle fingers.  If that "V" gesture is used with nails facing the person you're talking to, it is construed as raising the middle finger would be elsewhere (the middle finger raise also being offensive in the UK). If you are going to use the "V" to indicate two, face the palm towards the person you're addressing.

The "F" word!  Fanny, that is. In the UK,  this is a word used for the female genitals.  The English equivalant for fanny is "bum" (fanny packs being called bum bags).  Another "F" word to be aware of is "fag", which in Britain is a slang word for 'cigarette' - not the US usage of a derogatory term for a homosexual man - so do not fret if you hear the sentence in a bar: "I'm going outside for a fag"!!!

Beer in the UK is generally of a dfferent taste to those in US, but the majority of the time is not stronger than a Bud. The strength of beer should be marked on the pump clip (the label) and tends to be around 3.5%-5%ABV. Cider is nearly always alcoholic, and sometimes strong.

Things to AVOID (general):

  • Getting involved in political arguments or discussions about religion unless you get to know people and their viewpoint very well.
  • Speaking very loudly in public places. You will generally get "glared down" or politely reminded of the need for quiet if you're too boisterous when in museums, libraries and on public transport.
  • Bad Manners - It is imperative you remember to use "Please" and "Thank you". If you need to make a complaint, do so politely.
  • Racist, sexist or phobic comments and attitudes - leave them at home
  • Trying to board trains without a ticket. There are large penalties for this. They are normally double the single fare.

Things to AVOID (at the pub):

  • Smoking (this is banned in most public enclosed places which includes bus shelters and phoneboxes)
  • Talking very loudly, unless the background noise is also loud.
  • Whistling, tapping coins on the bar, waving notes or clicking to attract the attention of bar staff. These actions will invariably result in you waiting longer for service. Provided you have approached the bar and caught the eye of the barman/maid, just wait, you will have been put in the aforesaid's mental queue and attended to accordingly.
  • It is neccessary to remind some foreign visitors that, as a rule, in a pub, there is no table service and you will be expected to pay on delivery of your order. In rare cases, availability of table service will be advertised. Many hotel bars, but not all, will have table service but you may still have to order at the bar.
  • Tipping: Avoid offering money unless the change is handed over on a small tray; instead, when you pay, ask the server to "have one for yourself" or "get a drink on me". They will add the price of a drink but may take the money instead of the drink. Do this with your first order and you will get noticed sooner next time you go to the bar. Further tipping is generally not needed, though it is well received if you make the offer of a drink on your last purchase of the evening.
  • Upsetting a "regular". "Regulars" are identified by their overt friendliness with other patrons and the service staff.

 

The "Lingo"

Standard English is spoken throughout  most of the UK with some regional variations in pronunciation and intonation.  English-speaking visitors generally have no difficulty in "tuning-in" to local accents.  There are also numerous local dialects which visitors may initially have difficulty in following, although people will normally speak more slowly and adopt Standard English when they are speaking with visitors to their country or region.  The following are examples of English regional dialects:

1.  London and the South East of England

  • "Guv'nor" (or simply "Guv") - Commonly used by Londoners, a contraction of the word "Governor", it is the equivalent of saying "chief", "mac" or "buddy" in colloquial American.
  • "All right?" - Greeting
  • "Cheers" - Used sometimes instead of "thank you" or "goodbye".  Also a saluation when drinking a toast.
  • "Ta" - "Thank you"
  • "Khazi" - Toilet / restroom

2. The Westcountry of England (Devon and Cornwall)

  • "All right?"- Greeting.
  • "Where's it to?"- Where is that?
  • "Cheers" - Used sometimes instead of "thank you."
  • "Cheers 'den"- Thank-you and Goodbye.

3.  The North of England

  • "Eh up?", "How do", or "Now Then" - Terms used instead of "hello".
  • "Ta" - Means "thanks".
  • "Brew" - A mug of tea or used in the context of making a cup of tea as in "I'll just put a brew on".
  • "Luv" or "Darling" - Very common to hear almost everywhere (e.g. "Here's your brew, luv"). In some regions, thought of as out-dated and chivalrous. In others, used in most verbal exchanges where one or both parties are female.
  • "Cheers" - Used instead of "thank you" and as a salutation when drinking a toast.
  • "Our kid" - used to indicate a younger sibling.

4. North-East of England (especially Newcastle and Tyneside)

  • "Gann'n doon toon" - "Going into town"
  • "Aye" - "Yes"
  • "Canny" usually means "good" or "clever" though, used in the sense "Gaa canny", it means "be careful"
  • "Divvent" - "don't"
  • "Give o'er" - "Stop doing that"
  • "Howay!" - "Come on!"
  • "Gadgie" - "Old man"
  • "Charva" or "radgie" - known elsewhere in the UK as scally, pikey or chav.  An undesirable.
  • The word 'man' is used as an expressive tool in phrases and doesn't normally imply gender, and is commonly used when speaking to both sexes (e.g. Howay, man or Divvent dee that, man).
  • "Chore" or "Chaw" in MIddlesbrough - a friend; used by men, not ladies.

5. The Midlands (especially Birmingham & the Black Country)

  • "Bab" - a term of endearment (lit. "baby").
  • "Babby" - a baby.
  • "Fower" - four.
  • "Ow bin yer?" - How've you been?
  • "Ah kid" - "our kid", a term of endearment (usually referring to a child or younger sibling).
  • "Owd up" - wait a minute ("Hold up")
  • "Tay" - tea (either the hot drink or an evening meal).
  • "Om" - home
  • "Ta" - thanks
  • "Ta-ra" - Goodbye
  • "Yow" - you.

"Native" languages used in the UK are English, Welsh (Wales), Gaelic (Highlands and Islands of Scotland), Scots (lowland Scotland), Cornish (Cornwall in south west England) and Irish (Northern Ireland)

Wales

Welsh is spoken by more than 50% of the population in North-West, Central and South-West Wales.  Fewer than 20% speak Welsh in the North-East and South-East, though the numbers speaking Welsh are highest here, because these areas have by far the largest population.  After a century of decline, the proportion of the population speaking Welsh is now increasing everywhere.  Throughout Wales, nearly all road signs carry words in both English and Welsh, but occasionally, the place name will be in Welsh only.  Welsh has varying dialects, though a 'standard' is emerging with the growth in Welsh-medium radio, TV, theatre and publishing. 

  • Bore da (bore-eh-dah) - Good Morning.
  • Nos Da - Good Night.
  • Helo or Siwmae (Shoo-mai) - Hello 
  • Diolch (dee-olch) ("ch" pronounced like gargling water) - Thank you.
  • Dwi ddim yn siarad Cymraeg (dween thim un sharad cumraig) - I don't speak Welsh.
  • Cwrw (coo-roo) - Beer!
  • Croeso (croy-saw)- Welcome/ Your Welcome
  • Byddwn i'n hoffi (buddOOn- een- houghEE)- I would like

The English spoken in Wales also has many varieties, influenced by the sounds of the local Welsh and by the accents of the neighbouring English region.  For example, North Wales varies from a punchy, 'clipped' pronounciation of words to a similarity with Liverpool and parts of the North West of England. South East Wales (Valleys) has a sing-song quality, with 'h's being dropped, and words often flowing into one another

  • Wadusay = What did you say?
  • Owwarruu = How are you?
  • Whereru fromthen = Where are you from?
  • Oh, wos occurring?-Yo, what's up?

Scotland

Scotland has three official languages; English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig.)

Scottish Gaelic is similar to Irish and is primarily spoken in parts of the North West Highlands and the Western Isles of Scotland.   The further north and west you go the greater the chance of hearing it and seeing signposts written in it.  Some signposts are only Gaelic  in the remotest areas.   As a general rule older generation Gaelic speakers are more likely to be heard conversing in the language than the younger generation. It is highly unlikely that any Gaelic speaker will at any point address a visitor in Gaelic. 

A blend of Scots and English are primarily spoken in the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire, and around Glasgow.

 Some Scots words in common use that you may hear are;

  • ay = yes (pronouced like English word eye)
  • naw = no
  • aye = always
  • no = not
  • ken (ya ken) = know (you know)
  • burn = stream or brook
  • hauf = half (usually means a single measure of whisky)
  • drookit = soaked
  • drooth = dry (thirsty)
  • stane dyke = stone wall
  • bairns / weans (predominantly used in west) = children
  • kirk = church

 In and around Aberdeen, in the north east of Scotland, there is a true dialect called doric, while in the south of Scotland many of the original Scots words are still in use.

Above all, if you speak English,  it will be understood in the UK so do not worry too much.