On our car ride around the country side with our German and Russian friend we were asked to explain a few things American.
As Americans we do not realize the amount of slang we use in the US. Our new Russian friend asked us to explain what honey and sweetheart meant when referring to another person. She knew that honey was a sweet substance from bees which is why she did not understand the use for people. Chris and I best explained it to her as something that like honey you greatly enjoyed and could not get enough of that is used as a term of endearment. Which proceeded to get Chris and I on a roll of all the other American slang words for someone you love - sweetie pie, sugarplum, peach, love muffin, cutie pittutie, sweet lips, and sweetheart. As we laughed at all our colloquialisms we realized how confusing it must be to learn American English.
Our German friend was playing a Michael Jackson CD in his car as we drove around the country side. One of the songs on the CD is Dirty Diana. Our Russian friend asked us to explain the song. She said she understood the dirty Diana part but wanted to know the rest. Chris and I listened to the lyrics since it had been a while and tried to figure out the best way to explain it to her. For those of you who are not familiar with the song, the song is about a roadie who is sleeping with all the band and wants to sleep with the lead singer. However, the lead singer does not want to sleep with her. We explained to our Russian friend that she followed the band around and made love to the different band members but could not make love to the singer because he was turning her away. After explaining the song I am not quite certain if she understood the slang use of the term Dirty Diana since she said awe poor Diana. Which in the US I think most people view the song as what a slut she'll sleep with anyone. Oh well, so much for translations.
Over time Americans have created their own version of culture and language as much as anyone else. It is a hudge pudge of multiple languages and creation of our own phrases. I think that our slang is one thing that makes us unique but also makes us difficult to understand since many languages are very literal in their translations, therefore, common sense overrides since they do not understand the origin of the slang. Think about that the next time you try to talk to someone who is an immigrant into the US. Your dogs may be barking because your feet are sore but the immigrant is looking for your pet dog thinking your crazy or wondering how you know your dogs are barking if your pets are at home and your at the office.