British vs US English

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by chimaera, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. #1
    I am just curious how many of you are capable of writing in both US and British English? Being a Brit I personally prefer "the Queen's English" (as it was meant to be written!), but I recognise that of the internet population, the majority will be used to reading US English.

    I realise there may be cases of writing for a British audience, but I imagine the majority is intended for global consumption and therefore US English is preferred.

    And with search engine technology nowadays, do you think it would affect a site at all?


    There is a reason for my query - I am looking to start a travel site and will soon be looking for a good quality writer. However, I may also contribute to the site myself and would tend to write British English. So it may be easier to get a writer who can do the same - or, I guess I could publish the articles under writer names to account for the differences.

    (not the reason for the thread, but any writers who may be interested and write good quality content for reasonable prices (don't worry, I am not looking for $1/1,000 words or anything stupid!), PM me!).
     
    chimaera, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  2. norfstar

    norfstar Peon

    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    62
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    For sites that are specifically targeting the UK market, I always write in British English and state it in the meta tags, whereas for non-localised sites, I always using the American spelling of words.

    As far as SEO is concerned, I've not noticed any significant difference based on which is used - setting a target country in Google Webmaster Tools (or using a ccTLD domain) seems to be far more effective.
     
    norfstar, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  3. CoolCopy

    CoolCopy Peon

    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    8
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    Chimaera,

    The Queen's English works just fine on every site I've ever helped to design. I honestly haven't noticed any differences in SEO or significant differences in the organic traffic when compared to the copy I've written in "American" English.

    It's just my honest opinion, but I believe that the average grade level at which most people read prevents them from noticing the difference in such a way that affects results.

    Just my 2p. ;)

    If you need help with your project, feel free to PM me.
     
    CoolCopy, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  4. Bohol

    Bohol Peon

    Messages:
    2,680
    Likes Received:
    75
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    U.S. English is better.
     
    Bohol, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  5. what

    what Active Member

    Messages:
    1,231
    Likes Received:
    10
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    80
    #5
    I can write in UK English if required to do so. I feel uncomfortable, though, I must admit. US English is still the one I'm most comfortable using. Plus my MS Word version doesn't recognize "recognise" and all the red lines are a bit distracting ;)
     
    what, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  6. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

    Messages:
    8,909
    Likes Received:
    794
    Best Answers:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    455
    #6
    I vary the writing based on the client. The key is in remembering to ask them where they're located if they don't tell me up front - no surprises that way. :) And I'm pretty sure even UK English has varied quite a bit from how it was originally "meant to be written." ;)

    Occasionally UK clients want to target US spellings of phrases (haven't had any requests the other way around, but it could happen), so as a writer always try to remember to ask, and as a client always remember to make your language requirements clear up front. :)
     
    jhmattern, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  7. Seasidewriter

    Seasidewriter Peon

    Messages:
    140
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Could someone please explain the difference in the two languages? Is it simply spelling variations like ton vs. tonne, color vs. colour, enamored vs. enamoured?

    Or the difference the inclusion of words and phrases themselves? This subject is simply smashing, y'all!
     
    Seasidewriter, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  8. CoolCopy

    CoolCopy Peon

    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    8
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    MS Word has a nice feature which allows you to change the language you are typing in. Go under tools, and simply set the language to British English before you begin and you won't have all of those little red lines ;)

    Good advice, Jenn. True, not many US clients will specifically request British spelling; and I've only had a few of my UK clients request US spelling. Still, it is a good idea to ask at the onset of a project, just to be clear.

    Spelling is a large part of it, Seaside. However, there are also differences in punctiation and the slang used,which are very important.
     
    CoolCopy, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  9. Weirfire

    Weirfire Language Translation Company

    Messages:
    6,979
    Likes Received:
    365
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    280
    #9
    There are also words which are used completely differently as well.

    UK Mobile Phone
    US Cell Phone

    UK Trousers
    US Pants

    UK Crisps
    US Chips

    UK Chips
    US Fries

    There are also pronuncial differences such as the word aluminium where Americans do not emphasis the "ium" and just say "um"
     
    Weirfire, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  10. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

    Messages:
    8,909
    Likes Received:
    794
    Best Answers:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    455
    #10
    Good examples. In this one though, I'd say it's another spelling difference, and not in pronunciation. We usually don't include the second "i" in US spellings, which is why we don't pronounce it. :)
     
    jhmattern, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  11. Weirfire

    Weirfire Language Translation Company

    Messages:
    6,979
    Likes Received:
    365
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    280
    #11
    I didn't realise that. :)
     
    Weirfire, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  12. lockie

    lockie Peon

    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #12
    Hi guys here is my 2 cents worth ,

    I'm an English teacher in Japan teaching kids from the age of 2 to 13 , I speak the queens English being an Australian but the text books I have to use are written in us English , The main thing I come across is the pronunciation factor,
    for example in us English they say tomato as in tomayto and in British English we say tomarto I know it looks weird but if you say those words out loud the way they are written you will get my drift ,also we say zed for the letter z and you say zee for the letter z , there are also numerous words spelt differently as well that you are all aware of , any way just my 2 cents worth and I will always talk the queens English no matter what ,

    cheers lockie :)
     
    lockie, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  13. Weirfire

    Weirfire Language Translation Company

    Messages:
    6,979
    Likes Received:
    365
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    280
    #13
    Chimaera - perhaps you could start a poll with "What do you prefer? US English or The Queen's English"

    That might be quite interesting. :)
     
    Weirfire, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  14. chimaera

    chimaera Peon

    Messages:
    1,389
    Likes Received:
    27
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #14
    Thanks for the interesting feedback! I guess that in this instance (travel writing), it wouldn't make much difference. I think Weirfire's point about different words is the most relevant thing to consider, if for any reason your keywords would include such things as cell phones or trousers etc.

    I recently produced a site on dog breeds and specifically asked my writer (who happened to be my fiancé!) to write in American English. I just did a test for one of the key phrases I ranked for, and there is indeed quite a difference between "dog behavior" and "dog behaviour".

    So I think it can matter, but generally doesn't. Still an interesting discussion =0)

    [edit]Weirfire I think that would be a bit biased given the number of 'Yanks' versus 'Brits' on this board! Though interestingly, the aforementioned fiancé is American but prefers British English in the majority of cases. For example she prefers the spelling, but refuses to change some of her pronunciation despite having lived in the country for over five years.
     
    chimaera, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  15. godofwriting

    godofwriting Banned

    Messages:
    302
    Likes Received:
    11
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #15
    Neat. I actually kind of knew there was more to US and UK English than just differences in spelling but I never took the time to actually learn the dissimilarities. Thanks for the info.

    And to answer the OP's question, I don't really think the version of English used should affect a site unless:
    1) The site is geared toward a specific audience (US or UK) and the market is exclusive to them.
    2) The writing pretty much sucks.

    I personally think that if you've got good meat to offer, it doesn't matter where you bought it. :D

    Cheers
     
    godofwriting, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  16. Wordsmith

    Wordsmith Peon

    Messages:
    1,379
    Likes Received:
    42
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    Why don ya'll speak like wot I do!

    Johnt
     
    Wordsmith, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  17. latoya

    latoya Active Member

    Messages:
    749
    Likes Received:
    73
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    70
    #17
    Only the US and UK would have a debate about which English to use. :)
     
    latoya, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  18. Wordsmith

    Wordsmith Peon

    Messages:
    1,379
    Likes Received:
    42
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #18
    Well I suppose English did originate in England and first migrated to USA!

    Johnt
     
    Wordsmith, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  19. Seasidewriter

    Seasidewriter Peon

    Messages:
    140
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #19
    Wouldn't it have made a stop first in the Caribbean? :D

    Seriously, this is fascinating. I'm such a dweeb!
     
    Seasidewriter, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  20. webgal

    webgal Peon

    Messages:
    533
    Likes Received:
    24
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #20
    Oh I can write in British. Colour. See? Kidding. Couldn't resist.

    I had NO IDEA that you could change WORD to British English. That rocks CW. Thanks for that tip. I'm going to leave and go check it out now. That is so cool. More exciting that a new thesaurus. And I do get pretty excited about a thesaurus.
     
    webgal, Jan 18, 2008 IP