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British vs. American Spelling

British vs. American Spelling

Old Apr 24th 2012, 11:45 pm
  #31  
 
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by kimilseung
I use only British spelling at work, I am hoping my boss kicks up a fuss, and I will then complain about lack of cultural tolerance and derogatory ethnic slurs. I think there might be a bit of a pay cheque in it.
I'm trying for a similar angle on "say something, your accent is so cute". I mean, they wouldn't do that to someone from India or China, now would they?
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 2:25 am
  #32  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
I'm trying for a similar angle on "say something, your accent is so cute". I mean, they wouldn't do that to someone from India or China, now would they?
Those accents aren't cute.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 12:38 pm
  #33  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by GeoffM
American spelling for Americans, British for the British. Simple as that. . . .
I try for this too, since I'm new to the US. Orient here, not orientate. Town center not centre. (Except there's one annoying town called "Centreville"--hubby says that's an American town with silly British pretentions.) License not licence. It's good mental exercise!

In our time living abroad, I taught English in international schools with students from different countries, & had to brush up on the way English words were spelled all over the world, so as to mark their papers fairly. Some countries use both British & American spellings (Japan for one), depending on when the word entered into common use there.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:11 pm
  #34  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

I have reversed all the on/offs on the light switches in my house and also the hot/cold for all the taps.

Its not technically a change in spelling, but slightly enjoyable.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:19 pm
  #35  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by Xebedee
I have reversed all the on/offs on the light switches in my house and also the hot/cold for all the taps.

Its not technically a change in spelling, but slightly enjoyable.
and I refuse to drive on the right. It is shocking to see the anger when I just stand up (well sit down) for my cultural rights!
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:22 pm
  #36  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by Xebedee
I have reversed all the on/offs on the light switches in my house
That's a really good idea I still get confused.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:38 pm
  #37  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by kimilseung
and I refuse to drive on the right. It is shocking to see the anger when I just stand up (well sit down) for my cultural rights!
Much more culturally-sensitive and non-judgemental to drive in the centre of the road.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:38 pm
  #38  
 
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by kimilseung
and I refuse to drive on the right. It is shocking to see the anger when I just stand up (well sit down) for my cultural rights!

I get a similar reaction when I put the day before the month when putting down dates. Honestly.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:38 pm
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by robin1234
Much more culturally-sensitive and non-judgemental to drive in the centre of the road.
That's the Mexican way of doing it. It took me a while to get used to that.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:50 pm
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
I get a similar reaction when I put the day before the month when putting down dates. Honestly.
I did not understand why I was the only person to be present for most meetings, till I realized how culturally insensitive my colleagues are.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 5:52 pm
  #41  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by kimilseung
I did not understand why I was the only person to be present for most meetings, till I realized how culturally insensitive my colleagues are.
Meeting was more productive that way, no?
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 7:13 pm
  #42  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

I try to cater my spelling to the audience, however it does feel really strange spelling it " wrong ".

I feel as if somebody is going to hit me over the knuckles with a ruler
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 7:18 pm
  #43  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

At work I use American spelling, but when I write on any website, write letters (even to other Americans) I write using English spellings, its how my brain works!
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 7:23 pm
  #44  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by Sassyjaybabe
At work I use American spelling, but when I write on any website, write letters (even to other Americans) I write using English spellings, its how my brain works!
I have difficulty knowing which is which for many words. I can stop and think with words like theatre/er as I know the Brit spelling is French influenced, but I have to think. Others like grey/gray I have to look up.
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Old Apr 25th 2012, 10:51 pm
  #45  
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Default Re: British vs. American Spelling

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing
That's coz us Brits are dead classy, like ...
Word!

Originally Posted by rebs
Depends on the meaning - curb for curtail or limit and kerb for the edge of the pavement.
Well I never knew that! Thanks.

Originally Posted by Weeze
I used to make an effort to change the autocorrect from US spellings back to English on my iPad. Now I generally can't be arsed and get lots of " you are spelling like an American" responses. Actually I'm just lazy.
On my first trips back to England after I had emigrated, I used to rack my brain for the English words so that I wouldn't alienate my younger siblings. Pavement for sidewalk, serviette for napkin, etc., etc. But, as the decades went by, I couldn't remember the Brit words so I stopped doing this. I was reading an English novel the other day and I had to look up the word spanner. It sounded familiar, but I had no clue that it's a wrench.

Originally Posted by Bink
Do you say Mom or Mum?
I'm confused. Isn't mum pronounced mom? I thought it was just the spelling that is different here.

Originally Posted by kimilseung
I think there might be a bit of a pay cheque in it.
There might be a pay check in it.

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
I'm trying for a similar angle on "say something, your accent is so cute".
Jeez, it's a compliment!

Originally Posted by Xebedee
I have reversed all the on/offs on the light switches in my house and also the hot/cold for all the taps.
Are you saying that in England the settings of the switches and taps (faucets!) are different from ours?

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
I get a similar reaction when I put the day before the month when putting down dates.
That is a pain here. 4/4/12 is okay, but something like 4/8/2012 is confusing to other countries. How are they supposed to know its April 8 and not August 4?

Originally Posted by coastieexpat
I feel as if somebody is going to hit me over the knuckles with a ruler
Or a straight edge.

Originally Posted by kimilseung
Others like grey/gray I have to look up.
I have the same problem with that too. Some words I just simply avoid. Some words I never pronounce either. Lieutenant, for one; I will not touch that word with a 10-foot pole.
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