Paul Berger is a staff writer at The Forward. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The (London) Times, The Daily and Guardian.co.uk.

Feb
27

Transatlantic Outing

By

Simon’s Brain outs himself in his own comments section:

I feel now is the time I came out. I’ve been away from England for over 4 years and the truth is the place has become alien to me.

From now on I’d like to be referred to as a ‘transatlantic’. Like Jude Law only more attractive.

Us transatlantics are not entirely dissimilar to transsexuals in that we can swing either way depending on how the mood takes us. If I can’t be bothered to put a ‘u’ in the word color then I am an American. If I want to be treated with a modicum of respect in a foreign country then I am an Englishman. I think it works well and I’m sure you’ll forgive me.

I am a paid up member of the color/theater club and I often plump for one “l” instead of two in verbs. However in emails to friends and relatives in the UK, I try to refer to mobile phones instead of cell phones and neighbours instead of neighbors. I am still baffled by the fact that my slight northern English accent makes me appear simple in England and refined in America.

But with each passing day I slip further towards the dark side. ATMs have overtaken cash machines. I occasionally have to correct myself in front of British visitors. And there have been complaints that my voice rises at the end of sentences. Is my fate as a transatlantic sealed?

3 Comments

1

Oh yes. The dark side never ceases trying to trap one… I pronopunced “process” in the American rather than UK fashion the other day. A mortifying moment. ATMs dismissed cash machines a long time ago too. It’s only taken three years…

2

Welcome to the dark side Alex!

3

Who gives a toss really? Probably people who are jealous of you!

I used to be a southerner, but was 100% Geordie within a month of moving up north.
I still slide back into it whaen I go back down south tho (was shocked to hear myself pronounce Newcastle ‘New-carstle!)

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