Though on the face of it America and Britain share a language, we do not share the underlying cultural comprehension which enables that language to be an effective and foolproof means of communication.

The effect is that at a simple level, Americans and Britons can communicate, however as soon as complexities enter into the communication there is a very real risk of misunderstanding.

Too the nuances of comunication can all too easily be lost, and so the recipient thinks that one thing is being said, when it is not.

I experienced this the hard way when working for an American firm here in the UK some years ago: when both Americans and Britons would leave a meeting thinking they had a clear understanding as to the next move. Only to discover later, and possibly at some cost, that there had not been a meeting of minds. In simple terms, this was because though we shared words, we did not share the culture that gave meaning to those words.

Too whilst I cannot comment upon American English, British English carries a host of unstated meanings based on cultural and social groups within the British Isles, and this is problem is enhanced by changes that have and are taking place.

To try and illustrate this in the context of this board: as most are aware it is only recently that the kilt became Scottish rather than highland dress, and certainly in my youth the kilt would not be worn unless for some special occasion south of the highland line [I'm ignoring how some parents possibly English might dress their children]. By the same token though there were no written rules, a person was expected to wear their own tartan, or if no direct claim a district tartan or one such as The Caledonian.

At this point to distinct threads of attitude can be identified: the many who like myself who because of the above find it impossible to wear any tartan than their own, or a district one, or maybe as I have the new Highland Granite; and certainly I could not wear a regimental tartan to which I was not entitled. Then there are those who say that anyone can wear any tartan, claiming that there are no rules, and the world has moved on.

Whilst there are others who came to wearing the tartan through say dancing, who probably were glad of any kilt they could obtain, and did not of necessity place much concern upon the provenance of the tartan they were wearing.

How does this effect the language?

In that not wanting to be rude about an individuals choice of tartan, a form of words will be used that indicate acceptance, albeit with reservations that will be recognised by others who look to the highland origin of the clan tartans. Or an inflexion can be placed upon words that whilst saying one thing, means exactly the opposite: so that as I've heard, an individual thought they were hearing words of approval about their attire, everyone but them was being told that they appeared ridiculous.

A form of words here might be, 'You do look smart', only if one is perceptive to the inflexion used can one tell if it is an insult or a compliment.

Please accept that whilst for obvious reasons I must not cite examples, I've seen it happening on this board: and in fairness must say that it can only be a case of 'reader beware'. Just as a mannered response to a query, does not of necessity mean acceptance of what was requested.

To further illustrate cultural dfferences, there was a recent thread about the wearing of military decorations as adornment on sporrans-as kilt pins etc: something I kept very quiet about, for I appreciated the difference. For it covered four separate areas: decorations, medals, unit insignia and trade badges: the last two of which might be used: but certainly not decorations and or medals; at least not to British eyes.

James