British -> American "Translation" (OTish)

[Flying Ford Anglia]

No: HPFGUIDX 10182

Dai said, in response to Jim Flanagan's question about "at table" 
and "to hospital":

<<<"At table", is generally a northern English (Yorkshire/Lancashire) 
term. The rest of us Brits would say "at the table." Conversely; most 
people (Northern and everyone else alike) would say "to Hospital">>>

I would add to that the fact that some northern dialects make a very 
slight reference to the word "the", as in "at't table," which could 
sound very like "at table". I also have a vague idea that "at table" 
is very mannered and 'posh,' as in "Ladies and Gentlemen, please be 
seated at table."

I'd agree on "to hospital," although I might say "get me to a 
hospital".  Often, it's just a contraction rather than part of a 
dialect.

My local dialect is quite odd.  For example, my parents would say 
they are "going bed" or "going down town" rather than "going to bed" 
or "going into town".

I think that JKR is wise to avoid introducing too many British 
dialects; it's not easy to write regional accents.  IIRC, she doesn't 
really attempt to represent Irish or Scottish dialects, although I 
think it's safe to assume that some of the characters are from those 
regions.   

Neil