by SoHo Language Group | Feb 12, 2021 | Cultural Differences
Have you ever received a text or email that closed with, “Xoxo” or “Xo” or “xoxoxoxoxox”? The x’s and o’s mean “kisses” (x) and “hugs” (o). Xox is an informal way to end a message to a close friend or family member. The amount of X’s and O’s is up to you. This...
by SoHo Language Group | Dec 4, 2019 | Cultural Differences, Language
Omigod. Wowwwwww! Fantasssstic! The above words are common in everyday American English; though they sound extreme, their meaning could actually be more equivalent to “Oh!” or “Cool” or “Great”. Americans tend to like the extra feeling and verbal sizzle in informal...
by SoHo Language Group | Dec 3, 2019 | Cultural Differences
A young French woman on an exchange program in New York walked into a clothes store on Fifth Avenue one afternoon. A salesperson greeted her with, “How are you today?” “I was shocked!” she told me, a day later. “Why is that so shocking?” I asked. “But that lady...
by SoHo Language Group | Jun 20, 2018 | Cultural Differences, Language
If I could offer one piece of advice to non-native speakers in a meeting with mostly native English speakers, I would say, “Open your mouth wide — yes, wide — when you speak.” In many cultures, such open-mouthiness is considered unnatural and, frankly, vulgar. The...
by SoHo Language Group | Oct 8, 2017 | Cultural Differences
In the wake of the Las Vegas massacre, the phrase “thoughts and prayers” has again emerged for consideration. The root of “thoughts and prayers” as a hypocritical form of condolence was made clear in The New York Times Oct 4 article aptly named, “Thoughts...
by SoHo Language Group | May 14, 2017 | Cultural Differences, Language
In an article on the current British Museum’s exhibit of 60’s and post-60’s American art, English historian Simon Schama makes the pop culture reference, “But we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” If that phrase is not familiar to you, either you have not seen the 1939...
