UK English, American English, how does it translate?

[ChassonKnight]

I wrote my book on kindle in UK English, and it's set in northern England. I've noticed most of its readers are in the US. Here are my questions for any US readers of erotica out there.

Words often elicit an erotic response because of their association, but words that aren't familiar are often silly and I'd imagine a turn off. Does it matter whether we use 'knickers' instead of 'panties', 'tights' instead of 'pantyhose'? I know it's not erotic (depending on your particular fetishes), but does it distract you if you have to, for example, figure out that a handbag is a purse, and a purse is actually an entirely different thing? Should I be using US English throughout, even if my story is set in Northern England? Because that seems weird.

How do English speakers from othe countries feel about it?

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I understand UK English as well as I understand any other dialect of American English. Even when there is a difference in vocabulary it's nothing that can't be figured out via context clues.

 

[Britva415]

Unless there's a UK English word which you know we across the pond won't recognize, just put it in. Knickers and tights are fine. Bairn and netty, not so much unless you're willing to do the extra work of providing enough context to make it clear.

And that's probably a good rule of thumb right there. If it's simply "UK English" in use all over the nation, we'll probably recognize it. If it's dialectical jargon only ever heard in some counties, we probably won't.

 

[Fatdog25]

I generally don't have a problem with translation from one dialect to another as I read. Over the years, I've read enough UK English authors that I'm familiar with most general terms (lift, flat, lorry). Others I can usually roughly translate into American English terms by context (wanker, fanny).

In the event I come across one that I just can't get (see bell end*), a quick Google search answers my questions.

My free advice would be to write to your target audience. The rest of us will figure it out or skip over it.

* I thought it meant clapper, which didn't make any sense in context.

 

[ElectricBlue]

How do English speakers from othe countries feel about it?

I write from within my own culture (Australian) and never translate. Why should I? Australia is God's chosen country, after all.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm American. Write British English, proudly and unapologetically. You may get some knuckle-dragging American readers who give you a hard time, but you'll probably have more Brit readers who appreciate your style. If you're going to write for readers at all, write for the good ones, not for the bad ones.

 

[Mom_nxtdoor]

Please say whilst

 

[TarnishedPenny]

BritTongue is easy enough. The toughie is OzSpeak.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I'm fluent in that for the dumbest possible reason.

BritTongue is easy enough. The toughie is OzSpeak.

 

[SimonDoom]

BritTongue is easy enough. The toughie is OzSpeak.

I'd pick the Scots, myself. Some versions (not all!) of Scottish English are not recognizably English at all.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

As an American, I can't take knickers or fanny seriously. I crack up every time.

But those terms are authentic British terms. Use them proudly. You might get some people (like me) chuckling at the words, but who cares?

 

[ElectricBlue]

As an American, I can't take knickers or fanny seriously. I crack up every time.

But those terms are authentic British terms. Use them proudly. You might get some people (like me) chuckling at the words, but who cares?

I'm the same with butt and dick - they both sound about twelve, to me .

 

[MediocreAuthor]

I'm the same with butt and dick - they both sound about twelve, to me .

Even as an American, and I really try to avoid dick and butt. I use them, but sparingly

 

[XerXesXu]

Please say whilst

Whilst, amongst, whom, towards, where/when/why etc aspirated, this/that/those etc, enunciated - I can do it all. Aural sex at its finest.

 

[ronde]

I wrote my book on kindle in UK English, and it's set in northern England. I've noticed most of its readers are in the US. Here are my questions for any US readers of erotica out there.

Words often elicit an erotic response because of their association, but words that aren't familiar are often silly and I'd imagine a turn off. Does it matter whether we use 'knickers' instead of 'panties', 'tights' instead of 'pantyhose'? I know it's not erotic (depending on your particular fetishes), but does it distract you if you have to, for example, figure out that a handbag is a purse, and a purse is actually an entirely different thing? Should I be using US English throughout, even if my story is set in Northern England? Because that seems weird.

How do English speakers from othe countries feel about it?

If I'm writing about early England I try to used the language of the time because it not only lends authenticity to the story, but some of the terms are just plain entertaining. The important thing is to use them in context so the meaning is fairly clear. One of my favorites from that time period is "beardsplitter". A couple others are "tiddles" when speaking to or about a male and "bubbies" when speaking to or about a female.

 

[SexyVita]

When I first saw the title of this thread, my first reaction was: "It doesn't translate at all, British English and American English are two completely seperate languages!" I mean according to some (most?) Brits, America hasn't spoken English in quite some time.

That being said, I've consumed too much British writing, movies, and films for me to find American English terms in a story set in the UK acceptable. So take me up to your flat, pull down my knickers and fuck me nunny!

 

[Seadog777]

As someone who has spent a lot of time in the UK, has friends, as well as some ex's in the UK, the truth is that, really other than some "slang terms", it's really not all that fucking different.

Brummie to South-end to Aberdeen to Dublin to Dorset, etc, etc.
It's just like America.
Different areas of the country have different terms, accents, etc, etc.

You'll probably get some dumb fucks, who don't know anything, that will leave some shitty ass comments, but just ignore those crab infested twat waffles.

 

[ElectricBlue]

If I'm writing about early England I try to used the language of the time because it not only lends authenticity to the story, but some of the terms are just plain entertaining.

Define "early England" - there's rather a long history!

 

[Seadog777]

Define "early England" - there's rather a long history!

#Facts

 

[ChassonKnight]

I write from within my own culture (Australian) and never translate. Why should I? Australia is God's chosen country, after all.

I've never visited but, I believe you. It's spectacular, from what I've seen.

Please say whilst

I'll consider it whilst reading the responses on this thread.

As an American, I can't take knickers or fanny seriously. I crack up every time.

But those terms are authentic British terms. Use them proudly. You might get some people (like me) chuckling at the words, but who cares?

That's what concerns me. People have paid money to read my book for an interactive arousal, and they're reading words that make them laugh rather than turn them on. Personally, I find 'panties' a bit of a silly word.

I'm the same with butt and dick - they both sound about twelve, to me .

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought they were any different to the alternatives. A little tamer than some, perhaps.

When I first saw the title of this thread, my first reaction was: "It doesn't translate at all, British English and American English are two completely seperate languages!" I mean according to some (most?) Brits, America hasn't spoken English in quite some time.

Not only do I find American English perfectly good English, I think in some ways it's preferable. I'm often impressed by how precisely Americans pronounce words that have become an amorphous blob of generic vowels in England. And we're taking on more and more Americanisms, in such cases where they serve a useful purpose.

 

[Handley_Page]

I wrote my book on kindle in UK English, and it's set in northern England. I've noticed most of its readers are in the US. Here are my questions for any US readers of erotica out there.

Words often elicit an erotic response because of their association, but words that aren't familiar are often silly and I'd imagine a turn off. Does it matter whether we use 'knickers' instead of 'panties', 'tights' instead of 'pantyhose'? I know it's not erotic (depending on your particular fetishes), but does it distract you if you have to, for example, figure out that a handbag is a purse, and a purse is actually an entirely different thing? Should I be using US English throughout, even if my story is set in Northern England? Because that seems weird.

How do English speakers from other countries feel about it?

No; set your story wherever you have it.
Any 'difficult' words can be explained in a note, if need be.
Personally, I reckon that if an American author cannot be bothered to 'explain' [translate], why should anyone else ?

 

[BobbyLaker]

... Should I be using US English throughout, even if my story is set in Northern England?

Nay, nay and thrice nay!

 

[onehitwanda]

I write from within my own culture (Australian) and never translate. Why should I? Australia is God's chosen country, after all.

God's chosen country as the gates of hell, maybe...

oh, no. Wait. That's Slough, isn't it?

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

Define "early England" - there's rather a long history!

Early England, as in Þonne hie swa writon.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

I've read so much non-American English-language erotica, Fanny to me is now Pussy, and not Ass.