British Language and Culture (Lonely Planet Language Reference)

Lonely Planet's "British Phrasebook" is a great introduction to the British way of life and speaking for foreigners. Whether you are an American going to visit the British Isles, or a person studying English as a foreign language this can be a good guide and reading supplement. Traditionally to Lonely Planet phrasebooks, this one gives you a short and easy-read introduction to the origin and modern state of English. Then follow the sections dealing with British English and regional languages.

The section on British English is, again traditionally, an introduction to the language through British culture, institutions, traditions and way of life. Some chapters open with humorous sketches by S. Hughes that will make you laugh out loud. You will learn how to greet people, how to talk over the phone, how to find your way in the world of slang and cockney (not being a thorough textbook or dictionary of these), how to brace yourself with the features of British pronunciation (not being a course on phonetics), how to tell a British word or expression from an American (not being a British-American dictionary), how to address the Queen or peers (without making you bored with the detailed description of the aristocratic history). But most of the contents are not even the lists of typically British words and expressions. It is an interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes witty, often highly informative yet brief description of British culture (music, sports, food, drink, housing, etc.) and institutions (political, educational, etc.), as well as of ways of travelling, spending your free time and free money. If you need to know the names of high-street shops or intend to watch a report from some cricket match, think of driving a car or going on a train journey, want to read a paper and know what's meant and what's not - "British Phrasebook" is one way of helping you survive in Britain.

The regional section tells you about regional accents and dialects of English with some examples. It also deals with Scottish Gaelic and Welsh. Here (in the last two chapters) there is a true phrasebook letting you say a lot of useful things in the native tongues of Scotland and Wales. Practical transcription enables you to pronounce sometimes quirky letter-combinations of these Celtic languages.

Written in a simple language and entertaining manner, while being very informative "British Phrasebook" is nearly a must-have on your next trip to the Isles and will certainly be your good companion, which will easily fit in a pocket.

Who on earth is this book for? Certainly not the average English-speaking tourist, who might be scared witless by the notion that they would need a phrasebook to get around another English-speaking country.

American visitors need to know just a few different words (most importantly that "pants" in Britain means underpants - otherwise they could face some serious misunderstandings). Australians and New Zealanders would have no difficulties. In any case, it's unlikely many tourists would even encounter the regional dialect words listed here, let alone need to use them. Students of English as a foreign language can find better texts elsewhere. Perhaps the market is the longer-term expatriate?

British readers will find the whole thing highly amusing. Especially when we are solemnly informed that our term for - how shall I put it? - breaking wind is to "trump". The author came from Milwaukee. She should get out more often.

An absolutly brilliant little book, great for reading on coaches, trains etc. when nothing much else to do. I can't see anyone other than Brits enjoying this book as they're the only people able to relate to the jokes made. Recently, this book went round the coach on a school trip and you could tell where it was by the people making comments about it out loud and the laughter as well. Very informative and comical, a brilliant buy!

This book is highly amusing if you are British!. For the Americans to need a phrasebook to speaking English is unbelievable. My favourite bit was the three pages about Bristolian - don't try to understand it : you won't!. I couldn't believe that such a book existed.