Non American English

[STEPHENA]

I get the impression that as an English author I suffer from British English and get marked down by American readers as a result. Recent feedback by Anon in USA even suggested English wasn't my first language! Has anyone else fallen foul of this linguistic 'barrier'?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Never take criticism from Anonymous as worth attention. Anyone so cowardly that they cannot sign their comment is a wallowing hog. Write on, dear human, in any style you wish.

 

[TxRad]

I get the impression that as an English author I suffer from British English and get marked down by American readers as a result. Recent feedback by Anon in USA even suggested English wasn't my first language! Has anyone else fallen foul of this linguistic 'barrier'?

This subject has come up a few times here in the AH.

Yes it happens and not just on this site but on almost any that are based in the US or have a large American base of readers. Sorry it happens but write on Like the Bear said. Just try and keep the slang down as most Americans have no idea what it means.

From a friend of mine who posts stories here, it's also bad for the Australians.

Welcome to the AH.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The problem is worse than you imagine for no native Limey has uttered any thoughts, ideas, opinions worth reading since Dickens. Even Churchill sounded like a bagpipe mated to a cow's ass.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

And just put JBJ on 'ignore'. He only posts to make people feel bad. Such folk are so miserable they can't tolerate anyone else being happy or even content.

 

[MikeIvy]

Write for youself...and let the critics be dammed (unless they sign the check)

 

[JackLuis]

Write for youself...and let the critics be dammed (unless they sign the check)

There ya go.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

And just put JBJ on 'ignore'. He only posts to make people feel bad. Such folk are so miserable they can't tolerate anyone else being happy or even content.

The whole planet knows Benny Hill is the Limey's idea of high art.

 

[Quinn71]

I am Canadian and my English is sometimes close to British. I still often say to my British friend, "Speak English will ya!" lol

 

[colddiesel]

The whole planet knows Benny Hill is the Limey's idea of high art.

Yet Benny Hill has so much in common with you JBJ, fat, late middle age, relationship dysfunctional, and brain dead.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The only Britishisms that seem of much importance are the arse v.ass thing and knickers v. panties. Also, cunt is a milder and more common insult there than it is here, and used for both men and women.

Other than that, what are they complaining about?

 

[TxRad]

The only Britishisms that seem of much importance are the arse v.ass thing and knickers v. panties. Also, cunt is a milder and more common insult there than it is here, and used for both men and women.

Other than that, what are they complaining about?

Don't forget the fanny, pussy, butt cockup.

 

[polynices]

... Also, cunt is a milder and more common insult there than it is here, and used for both men and women. ...

Well, you may have heard it more frequently when you were over here in Britain than you're used to in the US (we're a pretty foul-mouthed lot nowadays, after all), but I wouldn't describe 'cunt' as a mild insult in any sense. You might get away with calling somebody a prick in a pub, for example, but calling him or her a 'cunt' would usually be seen as grounds for immediate violence.

 

[oggbashan]

I make it clear in my profile that I write in British English.

Sometimes I get a complaint that I can't spell, usually from anonymous.

I ignore it.

There are tens of thousands of members of Literotica who are not US citizens. Most of the time we are tolerated.

Og

 

[TxRad]

I make it clear in my profile that I write in British English.

Sometimes I get a complaint that I can't spell, usually from anonymous.

I ignore it.

There are tens of thousands of members of Literotica who are not US citizens. Most of the time we are tolerated.

Og

More than tolerated by a bunch of us.

 

[sr71plt]

The United States is a pretty insular place. I think that most American readers on Lit. have no idea that there can be spelling, punctuation, and word usage differences across the English-speaking world--and this is a U.S.-based site and I'll wager that the largest groups of readers are in United States. It's not an issue that's going to be solved, so if you can't live with it, you might look for a site that is predominantly British style.

 

[STEPHENA]

A relief to see I have some sympathy although I predicted I wouldn't be alone. It's still comforting to read though. I never use British slang, and although I know there are some British English words, which differ from American English, I'm not at all certain to what extent they are understood by Americans. For example, I would expect all Americans to know that 'holiday' is the British version of 'vacation.' In contrast, I'm not at all sure how many Americans understand what an Englishman means when he says 'pants.'

There are numerous well-known examples of English-American divergence in words for the same thing. Sidewalk - pavement; chips - crisps; faucet - tap among them. However, I have no idea if an American would understand what is intended by 'gift token' or 'Boxing Day.'

It's an interesting subject in its own right

 

[sr71plt]

A relief to see I have some sympathy although I predicted I wouldn't be alone. It's still comforting to read though. I never use British slang, and although I know there are some British English words, which differ from American English, I'm not at all certain to what extent they are understood by Americans. For example, I would expect all Americans to know that 'holiday' is the British version of 'vacation.' In contrast, I'm not at all sure how many Americans understand what an Englishman means when he says 'pants.'

There are numerous well-known examples of English-American divergence in words for the same thing. Sidewalk - pavement; chips - crisps; faucet - tap among them. However, I have no idea if an American would understand what is intended by 'gift token' or 'Boxing Day.'

It's an interesting subject in its own right

On another thread, I just mentioned "jumper."

If an American reading along encounters a He Man taking off his jumper, the American reader is going to do a double take.

In the world of politics, the real buggaboo was the concept of a parliamentary body "tabling a motion." In the UK, that means it is brought up and laid on the table for discussion; in the States it was set aside and not brought up for discussion.

But what really can throw an American reader (and apparently the selection Bot here once in a while) is the placement of end punctuation in relationship to dialogue quotes. An American reading British style on this for very long is likely to become quite disconcerted.

 

[STEPHENA]

Yes, the funniest one I've come across, is 'to knock someone up.' In England, this means to knock on their door to wake them up in the morning. Fanny is another old favourite, which means vagina in England.

 

[sr71plt]

Yes, the funniest one I've come across, is 'to knock someone up.' In England, this means to knock on their door to wake them up in the morning. Fanny is another old favourite, which means vagina in England.

Or "I'll give you a tinkle." A vedy, vedy proper British ex-pat in Cyprus invariably gave me trouble keeping a straight face on that one.

 

[bronzeage]

Yes, the funniest one I've come across, is 'to knock someone up.' In England, this means to knock on their door to wake them up in the morning. Fanny is another old favourite, which means vagina in England.

During WW2, "knocked up" meant tired. In the US, it meant "pregnant". American GI's were understandably confused when a girl wanted to go home because they had danced so much, she was knocked up.

 

[michchick98]

A relief to see I have some sympathy although I predicted I wouldn't be alone. It's still comforting to read though. I never use British slang, and although I know there are some British English words, which differ from American English, I'm not at all certain to what extent they are understood by Americans. For example, I would expect all Americans to know that 'holiday' is the British version of 'vacation.' In contrast, I'm not at all sure how many Americans understand what an Englishman means when he says 'pants.'

There are numerous well-known examples of English-American divergence in words for the same thing. Sidewalk - pavement; chips - crisps; faucet - tap among them. However, I have no idea if an American would understand what is intended by 'gift token' or 'Boxing Day.'

It's an interesting subject in its own right

I've actually learned a lot of British slang by reading stories here and by editing as well. I like the differences myself. For me, it doesn't take away from the story at all.

If I encounter a word or phrase I might interpret wrong, I simply look it up. I'm funny that way, I guess. I do question some terms with one author I edit for. He's from the UK and uses some slang terms I've never heard. I comment on them, he tells me what they mean and we're all good.

As others have said, write for yourself. If people are too cowardly to criticize and not leave a way for you to communicate, then they're not worth the worry.

 

[Liar]

Yes, the funniest one I've come across, is 'to knock someone up.' In England, this means to knock on their door to wake them up in the morning. Fanny is another old favourite, which means vagina in England.

Which gives a whole new meaning to 'fanny pack'.

 

[The_Fool]

Which gives a whole new meaning to 'fanny pack'.

I like where you are going with this.

 

[ishtat]

In America I understand that rooting is something which one does in support of a favourite team. In Australia rooting is synonymous with fucking. To describe a woman as a good root is an Australian sophisticate's way of appreciating a particular female!

I understand that the readership of this site is predominantly about 40% North American (Canada & USA) 10% UK 10%+ Indian English readers and about 10% other English (South Asian, South African, Australian etc.)

Hollywood has been a major educational force in teaching the American version of English to non-Americans, but there is no equivalent reciprocal force.

When I first went to the USA years ago I thought my understanding of American idiom was pretty good but then I discovered that Southerners and Ghetto dwellers speak other languages altogether...as indeed did the lady at the coffee shop/store/bar/whatever when I tried to order breakfast.