[HPforGrownups] Re: British -> American "Translation"

[John Walton]

No: HPFGUIDX 10178

Jim Flanagan wrote:

> OT Digression #1:
> One thing that is noticeable on certain BBC programs that are
> rebroadcast over here is the omission of the article adjective
> in phrases such as "at table" and "to hospital." Americans would
> say "at the table" and "to the hospital." The BBC usage sounds
> posh and pedantic to my ears, so I'd like to ask any Brits or
> Aussies who've read down this far: are "at table" etc. in
> everyday use?  Does this usage vary by dialect area?
> I haven't seen any examples in the HP books, so if anyone sees
> one please let me know and I'll add it to the list, which may
> become part of the International Editions FAQ.

It really depends on context and nuances of meaning. eg:

==

"You've GOT to go to hospital!" Hermione screamed as Ron's brains fell out.

== i.e. going to hospital as opposed to doing nothing about it.

"I'm going to the hospital to have my ingrowing nose removed," Snape said to
Draco. "I decided that Madam Pomfrey wouldn't perform the operation."

== i.e. going to hospital rather than Madam Pomfrey.

=AND=

"Draco, one does not point at table," Lucius said primly, sipping from his
crystal goblet.

== Draco is pointing while sitting at the table.

"Don't point at the table, Hermione, it'll point back," Molly Weasley said
kindly as they entered the room.

== Hermione is pointing at the table from the doorway.

So, I think it has something to do with "at table" being a state of
existence. One is "at table"; one points/throws things/VERBs "at the table".
Nuances of meaning, as I said :)

--John, who has a Linguistics exam tomorrow! Eek!

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John Walton     john at walton.to

I didn't vote for his daddy either.
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