Speak American: A Survival Guide to the Language and Culture of the U.S.A. (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Imagine that you're from England, or India, or Hong Kong, and your English is impeccable. But when you travel to America, you get a funny look when you tell a colleague,"I'll knock you up tomorrow at half-eight." And you can't find bangers on a single restaurant menu.

You feel like you speak a foreign language-because you do! You need to know how to survive in American English, and this book will help you do it. This user-friendly guide focuses on the vocabulary that newcomers to the U.S. really need to know. Arranged by subject, from driving to shopping to eating, the book includes information on basic cultural and linguistic differences between British and American English, including particular pitfalls to watch for, and a handy glossary.

Each chapter begins with a quick-reference summary of key confusable words. Americanisms, grammar, and cultural points.

Offers guidance on social issues such as tipping and addressing people.

Perfect for travelers, businesspeople, and students.

From the Inside Flap

Imagine that you're from England, or India, or Hong Kong, and your English is impeccable. But when you travel to America, you get a funny look when you tell a colleague,"I'll knock you up tomorrow at half-eight." And you can't find bangers on a single restaurant menu.

You feel like you speak a foreign language-because you do! You need to know how to survive in American English, and this book will help you do it. This user-friendly guide focuses on the vocabulary that newcomers to the U.S. really need to know. Arranged by subject, from driving to shopping to eating, the book includes information on basic cultural and linguistic differences between British and American English, including particular pitfalls to watch for, and a handy glossary.

Each chapter begins with a quick-reference summary of key confusable words. Americanisms, grammar, and cultural points.

Offers guidance on social issues such as tipping and addressing people.

Perfect for travelers, businesspeople, and students.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Random House Reference; 1st edition (April 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037570468X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375704680
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,543 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone who likes to study language & culture, August 15, 2002

By A Customer

I bought this book as a gift for an ESL student I am tutoring. My student had a lot of fun browsing though it.
The book is small, but packs a lot of information into its pages. And it's the perfect size for carrying around.

There's lots of detail in the information the author provides too, particularly cultural things. For example, the author goes extensively into how to order food at a restaurant and what is considered appropriate (eg sending food back if it's not to your liking). There's also lots of information about the US school system and other topics as well.

There are example phrases throughout that the English use but Americans don't. And the author even gives the reader grammar tips and explains why it doesn't sound right in American English. There's also a huge word list in the back of the book listing American/English equivalents and the American pronunciations.

I think this would also be a good book for Americans travelling to England.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable toolkit to understand the culture and language better and faster, November 17, 2006

By	G. Shen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book from our ISS (International Student Service) office and at first, I only treat it as some reading materials while I am waiting for my laundry.
However, after I really went into the book, I realized it was the book I have been long seeking for: brief, clear and ultimately helpful. Yes, it is short, but since I have no intention to be a sociologist about American society, the simple and everyday facts and words are what I need to know.
The book covers many categories of American society like food, sports, education, transportation, etc., very comprehensively. The best of all is there is a list of frequently encountered words and phrases within this category at the end of each chapter.
After reading the book, I can now fully understand what the person said when I called in to order my pancake with eggs. This is the book you can finish in two weeks while still getting to know the essentials, not an enclyclopedia that takes forever. Actually, I finished it in 1 week and I no longer stutter while I am ordering food because I just didn't know which word I should use.
My suggestion to INS: include this nice booklet in your brochure to the new immigrants.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on American English to a foreigner, March 4, 2005

By	W. WEI "WW" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very informative and the content is carefully categorized so it's quite easy to find what you want.

The size of the book also makes it handy to carry around.