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American vs. British English
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KirkH
 17 Mar 2011, 11:55 #113424 Reply To Post
As an American writing about stories in Germany (since I live in Munich) I decided it would be better if I try to write my story (How to Steal a Lion) in British English, since Britain and Germany are closer than America.
I've noticed on YWO that the overwhelming majority of readers and writers are from the UK, and many of them have criticised my language skills in the story. Some have written that "this is not the way things are written or said in the UK ..." etc.
Several critics have thought I was German with English as a second language!
This can be really frustrating.
If anyone wants to take a look at my story, please give me some suggestions for improving at least the dialogue.
Thanks
Kirk
visinker
 17 Mar 2011, 12:03 #113425 Reply To Post
Why make it harder for yourself? Write it the way it comes naturally.

We Brits are used to reading US-speak - there tends to be more of a problem when Americans read British English. Though not always, of course.
Barbara Scott-Emmett

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SusieHolmes
 17 Mar 2011, 12:14 #113430 Reply To Post
This is an interesting one.

I have just started to read a YA book - Black Rabbit Sunday. I live in Canada but am British.
The book is written in Yorkshire, but there are tons of weird Americanisms popping up, like sneakers, garbage, grade school (?!) and vacation.
I may put the book down as these phrases, which have been clearly replaced in this edition for the benefit of American readers (who, God forbid, wouldn't be able to cope with trainers and holidays) and are very jarring as they are clearly not written 'correctly' for Brits. It makes for a bumpy read.
So I agree, you need to stick with what is comfortable. Which is probably American English. I think even a tiny misuse of a word can be uncomfortable to read. Either that, I will be happy to be a 'proof reader' and translate any bits into English English for you.
Email: housewife1950s@yahoo.ca
SusieHolmes
 17 Mar 2011, 12:16 #113431 Reply To Post
Just let me know exactly what you want proof read and i will do a free will for you, but just with language in mind.
Marita Hansen
 17 Mar 2011, 12:21 #113433 Reply To Post
Kiwis use a mixture of British, American, and our own words and sayings. But we use UK English.
sulcus
 17 Mar 2011, 12:30 #113437 Reply To Post
Quote: Marita Hansen, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 12:21
Kiwis use a mixture of British, American, and our own words and sayings. But we use UK English.


UK English is breaking down its homogeneity anyway. Yardie & US slang, US globalisation of culture TV/Films...
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BenjaminHiggott
 17 Mar 2011, 13:08 #113440 Reply To Post
Quote: sulcus, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 12:30
Quote: Marita Hansen, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 12:21
Kiwis use a mixture of British, American, and our own words and sayings. But we use UK English.


UK English is breaking down its homogeneity anyway. Yardie & US slang, US globalisation of culture TV/Films...


I know, my seven year old niece who lives in Yorkshire speaks with an American accent. Too much Nickelodeon!
Marita Hansen
 17 Mar 2011, 23:59 #113484 Reply To Post
Quote: BenjaminHiggott, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 13:08
Quote: sulcus, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 12:30
Quote: Marita Hansen, Thursday, 17 Mar 2011 12:21
Kiwis use a mixture of British, American, and our own words and sayings. But we use UK English.


UK English is breaking down its homogeneity anyway. Yardie & US slang, US globalisation of culture TV/Films...


I know, my seven year old niece who lives in Yorkshire speaks with an American accent. Too much Nickelodeon!


When my family was living in South Auckland my daughter started pronouncing her "rs" like an American. She picked it up from the other kids in the area, and no doubt the media. It frustrated the hell out of me, and I kept trying to correct her. In the end I gave up. After all these years she hasn't dropped saying it like this. In South Auckland they watch a lot of America movies and TV programmes so that's why certain sayings in my South Auckland books are American sayings. But, it's not the same in other parts of Auckland. "Damaged" (East Auckland) has a different type of dialogue from "Behind the Hood."
katarina66
 21 Apr 2011, 09:17 #115401 Reply To Post
I seem to be often marked down by US reviewers for wrong spellings or grammar. I always run a spell check
(in UK) before submitting my work and since my story is set on a scottish island at the turn of the century I try to write in the lilt of the islands. If someone tells me I have spelling mistakes, I wish they would give me examples, that way I would know whether it is them or my spell check!
england is the nearest to the origonal english language, although it has changed greatly since the time of Shakespeare. To allo none UK residents - Please bear all this in mind while posting reviews.
Follow the Dove
Scartongarth
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