Can native English speakers understand this without a subtitle?

[Hotteok]

Why, I have watched this movie several times but each time I watch it, I get lost...

Does anyone speak like this? I doubt if people in this era really spoke like that.

 

 

 

 

[Hotteok]

okay now that I listen to it again I get many parts but there’s a large chunk of it that sounds very non-English

[EccentricM]

Easily, yes.

[EccentricM]

The way they are speaking is based on old English literature, if you mean the words or structure they use. They are obviously using "modern day" words mostly because it's a modern day film, but are speaking in an "old way", or "upper class way" (as people do speak like that today in certain circles, usually the highly educated or aristocratic), but most every day people today don't speak that way of course.

 

The accent back in those days may have been some what different of course. As the modern English accent came much later in history.

 

All the words spoken could be said to be... "modernisations" of the old ways of speaking.

If you look at Shakespear's works, you'll see what old English was really like, and translations into modern English. And you'll better grasp what I mean by "modern words but old fashioned structure" in movies like this.

 

Edited April 13, 2021 by EccentricM

[Qapla]

Yes, it is easily understood without captions ...

[Amygdala]

Yes, but there is a bit of distraction going on - the rain, speaking emotionally, rather fast, then throw in a few old English words. But for an English native-speaker, especially for a British one I imagine, would be no problem.

 

My grandparents wrote and published books in old English style. I didn't know about them, and only found out about them years after their passing. After having a look at them the first time, I was more than impressed.

[New World Explorer]

I am not native English speaker, but I had zero problems understanding the conversation LOL 

 

He said: You know darling, I had to go to my mothers place to get donuts (he was late for a date) 

She: Why you exchange my love for such a trivial matter? 
He: You’re overacting dear, donuts will never divide my devotion to you....

She: Do not give me that cheap line ....you’re hopeless, take your donuts and leave ...All men are the same ...they only think about donuts .....

 

[hatcheckgirl]

Maybe read the book? I grew up on this stuff, and I love it! The language is from the the early 1800s, and was how the wealthy classes spoke, definitely not the working classes. 
 

It reminds me of how our language has changed, even since the WT started to be published in the late 1880s. We don’t speak like that anymore, so our modern WTs are simplified for the current everyday language all people can understand.

 

But if someone did start talking like Mr Darcy, swoon*

 

[Hotteok]

1 hour ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Maybe read the book? I grew up on this stuff, and I love it! The language is from the the early 1800s, and was how the wealthy classes spoke, definitely not the working classes. 
 

It reminds me of how our language has changed, even since the WT started to be published in the late 1880s. We don’t speak like that anymore, so our modern WTs are simplified for the current everyday language all people can understand.

 

But if someone did start talking like Mr Darcy, swoon*

 

I think it’s Matthew Macfadyen’s voice that really makes a difference.  

[Katty]

See if you can understand this version better. It only has tweeting birds in the background. The rainy scene wasn't even in the novel; it seems like it was just added to be super dramatic and follow that cliche from romance movies.
In this version, you can also follow along in the novel.

 

 

Edited April 16, 2021 by Katty

[Katty]

In fact, I have the quoted bit, here, if you want to follow along with it; the A&E version has the dialogue almost word for word, but, of  course, the novel includes descriptions and such. 

Quote

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said:

“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.”

Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth’s feelings dreadful. At length, with a voice of forced calmness, he said:

“And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance.”

“I might as well enquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have. Had not my feelings decided against you—had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?”

As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the emotion was short, and he listened without attempting to interrupt her while she continued:

“I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted there. You dare not, you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, if not the only means of dividing them from each other—of exposing one to the censure of the world for caprice and instability, and the other to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind.”

She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was listening with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any feeling of remorse. He even looked at her with a smile of affected incredulity.

“Can you deny that you have done it?” she repeated.

With assumed tranquillity he then replied: “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself.”

Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil reflection, but its meaning did not escape, nor was it likely to conciliate her.

“But it is not merely this affair,” she continued, “on which my dislike is founded. Long before it had taken place my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself? or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?”

“You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns,” said Darcy, in a less tranquil tone, and with a heightened colour.

“Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can help feeling an interest in him?”

“His misfortunes!” repeated Darcy contemptuously; “yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.”

“And of your infliction,” cried Elizabeth with energy. “You have reduced him to his present state of poverty—comparative poverty. You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortune with contempt and ridicule.”

“And this,” cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the room, “is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you hold me! I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,” added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her, “these offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I, with greater policy, concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by reflection, by everything. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?—to congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?”

Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to the utmost to speak with composure when she said:

“You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.”

She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she continued:

“You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.”

Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an expression of mingled incredulity and mortification. She went on:

“From the very beginning—from the first moment, I may almost say—of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”

“You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.”

And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house.

The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and from actual weakness sat down and cried for half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have been in love with her for so many months! So much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent his friend’s marrying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case—was almost incredible! It was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride—his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane—his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for a moment excited. She continued in very agitated reflections till the sound of Lady Catherine’s carriage made her feel how unequal she was to encounter Charlotte’s observation, and hurried her away to her room.

 

Edit:
Also, if you're used to American English through Movies/TV, etc. you might find British English to be a bit more difficult to follow. The British, not only use different words, but I find they express themselves a little bit differently from Americans. I find, while Americans will more bluntly say what they mean, the British generally are more subtle in how they express themselves.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Katty

[hatcheckgirl]

10 hours ago, Katty said:

See if you can understand this version better.

Ok, now I’m going to spend some time this weekend in intimate viewing acquaintance with Miss Lizzy and Mr Darcy. I like this one better. ❤️

[comtemplate]

Yeah we've got that without a problem .... 😉 But we're native so we catch even the smallest details.

[Hotteok]

I get 99.9% of our brothers’ English talks, 80% of most worldly movies and youtube videos but I couldn’t understand a word when I asked a train station female for directions in Brisbane, spoke so fast with a thick accent

[hatcheckgirl]

That’s because she spoke ‘Strine. That’s how we say “Australian” 🤣 We gobble up the syllables and shorten the words. 
 

Here's that scene again in an Australian cultural setting:

 

MR DARCY: Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: Yeah, nah, mate.
MR DARCY: Yeah, well, your mum’s a bogan and your dad’s a bludger and your sisters are all slick chicks who wear too much Billabong.
ELIZABETH: My dad’s legit on compo and you’re figjam and you can stick it!

 

(we don’t all speak like this, btw 😜)

Edited April 17, 2021 by hatcheckgirl

[New World Explorer]

2 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

That’s because she spoke ‘Strine. That’s how we say “Australian” 🤣 We gobble up the syllables and shorten the words. 
 

Here's that scene again in an Australian cultural setting:

 

MR DARCY: Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: Yeah, nah, mate.
MR DARCY: Yeah, well, your mum’s a bogan and your dad’s a bludger and your sisters are all slick chicks who wear too much Billabong.
ELIZABETH: My dad’s legit on compo and you’re figjam and you can stick it!

 

(we don’t all speak like this, btw 😜)

Why don't we record ourselves and post files how we would say it? LOL 

[Jay]

On 4/17/2021 at 5:57 AM, hatcheckgirl said:

MR DARCY: Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: Yeah, nah, mate.
MR DARCY: Yeah, well, your mum’s a bogan and your dad’s a bludger and your sisters are all slick chicks who wear too much Billabong.
ELIZABETH: My dad’s legit on compo and you’re figjam and you can stick it!

Explain please

[hatcheckgirl]

1 hour ago, Jay said:

MR DARCY: Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: Yeah, nah, mate. (Yes? No, not interested in talking to you)
MR DARCY: Yeah, well, your mum’s a bogan and your dad’s a bludger and your sisters are all slick chicks who wear too much Billabong.( offended, so says “ Well, your family is so far below my station. Your mother is a gossiping meddler, and your father is unemployed, and your sisters are vain girls slaves to the latest fashion”).
ELIZABETH: My dad’s legit on compo and you’re figjam and you can stick it! (My father is gainfully unemployed, and you’re a rascal for putting them down, you prejudiced, pompous, arrogant man! I’ll not have any more of you!)

🤣 I’ve taken some liberties, but that’s the gist of that conversation.

[daydream]

https://www.mondly.com/blog/2020/05/14/87-australian-slang-terms-speak-aussie/

 

 

bogan – an uncultured or unsophisticated person

Quote

A “bogan” is an uncouth or unrefined person regarded as being of low social status. The term is usually pejorative, but it can also be regarded as a joke between friends.

billabong – a pond in a dry riverbend

 

Jay, let's practise shrine. 😁

Edited April 18, 2021 by Mclove
neaten out the spaces

[daydream]

https://www.billabong.com

 A store selling clothing, accessories and surf gear.

 

Mustn't forget this famous brand, mentioned in Sister Lucy's script above. Was  wondering why the above definition didn't quite compute. 🙃

[EccentricM]

On 4/16/2021 at 1:39 PM, Katty said:

 I find, while Americans will more bluntly say what they mean, the British generally are more subtle in how they express themselves.

I always saw myself as somewhat more blunt or extroverted, but that's in relation to "British people" I've found, but to an American I may still come across as somewhat reserved. For example, one person from the US said I spoke with "typical British understatement", when I was talking about someone I wasn't keen on, and I said to them "they are an... interesting person" which by I actually meant "he is a troublesome, childish and selfish person".

Edited April 18, 2021 by EccentricM