I am having trouble switching between US English and British English !!!
By ronnyb
@ronnyb (6113)
Jamaica
November 25, 2008 7:31am CST
I was taught the intricacies of British English,I learned the spelling ,the syntax,grammar and structure.Now there are marked differences between British English and US english which I am finding it hard to switch between the two and this doesnt auger well for my confidence when I am writing .I have to be mindful of my audience and remember that its center for americans and centre for the rest of the world. I am so confused at times sometimes I have the two kinds of spelling in the same piece.This kind of confusion may take away from the integrity of your writing as spelling errors may be viewed by your audience as an indication that you are not competent in the subject content.Luckily most of what I write is on the internet and both types of english is allowed (even though I feel US English is the primary language since the internet is american as pie )
Another major problem that I need help with is how do I switch from Us English in my word processing documents so my spell checks are done in Britsih English when I choose to .
4 people like this
7 responses
@smacksman (6053)
•
25 Nov 08
If you are writing for the Internet then I agree it would be better to stick to US english as that will appeal to your main customer base.
I was also brought up using British english because I am British! haha So I understand your problem.
You can easily change spell checkers in a word processor as they allow you to have several installed and just switch from one to the other in Options.
2 people like this
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
25 Nov 08
I honestly think you have a good master of the English languagYou must not think you are misunderstood although sometimes humor gets a fit confused but as time goes by you will master that through experence or spending time in England.The same goes for me Jamaica is a different culture to me and you have probably learnt the English language better than someone in England which is so often the way with other countries.We live here and out slang must be a bit strange but if there is smoething you don't understand message me and I will attempt to explain.I read plenty of other people who speak in broken English and I pick through it and manage I think to understand,carry on your are doing fine.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
26 Nov 08
I'm an Australian, obviousely taught British English, however for the last ten years I have been teaching Anerican English in Thailand. When I write to my Australian family and friends, I try to use British English, for all other times I use the American version.
I don't believe it greatly matters, as, unless you're writing an academic paper, your reader(s) shouldn't have any difficulty in understanding what you mean. Good luck.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
25 Nov 08
The differences between US English and British English include different meanings for the same word and different words for the same object. Maybe you already know this but for the sake of those who are new in this area I shall give several examples.
- Hood (US) and bonnet (UK) are the same thing.
- The British walk on pavements while the Americans drive on them.
- The British call it ground floor but the Americans refer to it as first floor.
- Truck and lorry refer to the same vehicle.
In a word processor highlight the text you want to edit. If you are using Word then on the menu bar select Tools Language Set language English (UK). Any words spelled the American way and not accepted as British spelling would be underlined in red.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
25 Nov 08
Being born & bred in the Southern US, I'm sure I seldom speak proper US English. I know we do things different here which I like to think is part of our charm. When reading on the internet, I understand the difference between center vs centre, color vs colour, favor vs favour, honor vs honour, etc. I NEVER hold it against the writer as to how he spells ANY of these words as I realize we just think there is ONLY one way to do things!!! 
@madmillionaire (598)
•
25 Nov 08
I have to agree with the others- just write the way you were taught - its not hard for Americans to understand British English and vice versa.
