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Archiver > YORKSGEN > 2005-08 > 1123834709


From: "Mal and Sharon" <>
Subject: RE: English translation
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 18:18:29 +1000
In-Reply-To: <200508112350.j7BNoWMP010800@mail23.syd.optusnet.com.au>


But what is the negative connotation???... seems the post from those of
us who live down under are rather confused (bemused?) by this statement.
I don't find that it has a negative connotation - to me it means we live
below the equator, or perhaps down underneath where our ancestors are
from???????????? (just a thought).. but negative??? I doubt it, I think
most people asked on the street would say "yeah, that's where we live,
in the land downunder" (even have a song about that!). I would be
interested in more info about the 'negative connotation'... happy to do
a poll of all my Aussie friends (oh, and the Kiwi ones too seeing as my
husband's family are across the Tasman!)

Cheers, Sharon - Yorkshire lass living in Canberra

-----Original Message-----
From: John Poxon [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, 12 August 2005 9:53 AM
To:
Subject: English translation

Hi everyone,

Suzanne wrote: "I have a few Australian friends and some relatives, but
never knew that till today "down under" was offensive to them, it just
shows
how difficult translation is even between English speaking people.".

Please read what I said again. I did not state that 'Down Under' is
offensive to Australians. I stated that the term has a negative
connotation. This negative connotation exists in parallel with the
internationally recognised meaning of the term. 'Negative connotation'
and
'offensive' do not have the same meaning.

Regards

John Poxon

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