Posted by Lyn on June 02, 2006 at 00:00:14 from 207.200.116.66 user LynMellone.
In Reply to: Re: Night Sailing Picture in SA posted by PeterH on June 01, 2006 at 19:12:03:
Because I watch the DVDs of Spooks (MI-5, here in the US) with the captions turned on, I have noticed (especially in the special features interviews) that the very same sound -- made to indicate a pause for thought or a polite hesitation before proceeding -- is written "er" or "erm" for the British, where the American ear hears "uh" or "umm."
I had read that this was the case, after years of reading Brit-speak with an audible "rr" where I saw "er" and "erm," but seeing it spelled out in a contemporary medium really brought it home to me. I just cannot help "hearing" the "r" where one is written.