American English v. UK English

[jak]

I am a newbie here and have just submitted my first piece, but don't want to submit more before I get some answers to this post.

I am based in the UK and usually write in UK English. Will this affect whether my work is accepted? Should I try to use American English instead? If so, are there any guidelines on how to do this?

Be most grateful for any advice on this.

[writewellcfl1]

For the most part, we (the editors) are pretty adept at recognizing UK spellings vs. American spellings. Consequently, we do accept articles written in UK English.

[jak]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Can anyone advise if UK English is likely to affect sales?

[JD]

Jak

That's a very good question. My experience is that there's more chance of sale if you write in American English. It's not that difficult if you get your spell and grammar check set to American English (or US English I think it's called in Word). Where us Brits come a little unstuck, I think, is that we don't always know the "translation" of words. Anyone who's ever watched American TV and read American literature will have a fair idea I suppose (e.g. faucet for tap, sidewalk for pavement), but I'm still getting caught out there. Also, the use of American colloquilisms (sp?) is, I think, something we also get caught out on sometimes. I recently wrote an article about the buy to let property market, and I'm not even too sure if that exists (in that term anyway) in the US! And after having submitted that article, I had to amend the word "bed-sit" as I realised that it was very much a British word! There are probably reference guides out that that would help, so I'm going to investigate.

If you keep your articles fairly "generic" and not too informal then you should be OK, as there's less chance of slipping up where American idioms are concerned. I have written only one article in UK English and that's because the article deals with particular English tax procedures, but mostly I write in American English (or rather try to!).

I'm British, living in Canada, writing for the US market (and that's my excuse if my sales aren't that great ).

Good luck!

Jane

[jak]

Many thanks Jane. I find what you say very interesting. Recently had a piece on a US travel site aimed at American travellers and ex-pats. They take my UK English and translate it when they sub-edit. So Richmond Park in London was described as having 'pavements' instead of 'footpaths' and I was told that Americans don't use the word 'footpath'.

[Alexandra Heep]

I have faced similar challenges. English is my second language. I initially learned the UK version, then when I moved to the USA people gave me funny looks as soon as I opened my mouth. I also lived in Canada for a while, which made my English even more confused.

I believe I have it all sorted out now. For the time being I only write about subjects I really know something about. I also read a lot of books and keep reference materials on hand.

Good luck!

[jak]

Thanks Alexandra. All the best to you too.

[damyanti]

Well, Jak, try to submit as much as possible in american English, because most of the customers here prefer it that way. I learnt the Brit way first too, but later i found it works better to use American english on this site.

I read American books like mad, and articles from american mags and newspapers. That seems to have helped. Rule books will take you only so far, but immersion will help faster

[jak]

Thank you damyanti. I had a feeling that would be the case and I'm sure your advice is good.

[cbhrbooth]

This is completely off-topic, but thought y'all might satisfy my curiousity. One of my favorite book series is set in London and a character is regularly described as wearing trainers. I think that must be a canvas high-top teeny shoe (or sneaker) with laces, but is that correct?

Just something I've always wondered. . .
Mary B.

[jak]

You're almost there. Trainers were originally training shoes ie what you wear to train for your sport. Nowadays there is more leather than canvas, or a similar tough material, to give more support. But they are worn as daily casual wear by many people now. I think I'd use the word sneakers if writing US English.

[cbhrbooth]

Thanks!! I've struggled with that word for some time now! (At first I thought it was some type of peculiar pants . . .) Now I feel better informed.

Mary B.
Btw, teeny-shoe (pronounced TIN-e) is (probably) a regional nickname for tennis shoes. I thought about that after I posted.

[tifferbugz]

[quote="cbhrbooth"]Thanks!! I've struggled with that word for some time now! (At first I thought it was some type of peculiar pants . . .) Now I feel better informed.

Mary B.
Btw, teeny-shoe (pronounced TIN-e) is (probably) a regional nickname for tennis shoes. I thought about that after I posted.[/quote]

When you posted that question I was thinking pants too!

[jak]

Incidentally. While in New York a few years back, I saw lots of designer trainers for sale at prices much less than they would be in the UK. There were names like Nike, Timberland and so on. Am I right in thinking they would be called sneakers?

[Celeste Stewart]

Around here, most just call them by their name brands. I got a new pair of Nikes last week. I can't recall the last time I heard the word "sneakers". "Tennis shoes" also seems to be used alot even if referring to running shoes.

The term "cross trainers" is also used for shoes that you can wear for multiple sports.