Divided by a common language

[indri]

For some reason, a discussion at work as to whether the word "whence" should ever be used in technical documents led me to this: Wikipedia's take on differences between US and UK English.

As a product of both educational systems, I have to say the article cleared up a few things for me, like why I'm never sure whether to put punctuation inside or outside a quotation mark. And no wonder that I get terribly confused about "inside" and "outside" lanes.

Mind you, I'm well aware that I often use my schooling as a get-out-of-jail-free card (gaol?). "Oh, I'm sure that's correct usage in one of the places I've lived." Cobblers.

ETA: Excellent essay by romanyg here on Spike and Angel.

Comments

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

Heh. I enjoyed that. It's always tempting to assume your way is sensible, and the 'other half' are potty - but the demise of 'gotten' and the rise of 'ised' for 'ized' in British English makes no good sense.

[indri]

I prefer the British way of dealing with punctuation in quotations, as it makes more sense from a logical/computing point of view, as they said. But "ise"? I wonder if that was in reaction to the US "ize". But "outside" lanes should be on the outside of the road, shouldn't they?

*is confused*

BTW, I only had time to skim when you posted all those pics of western Scotland -- thank you for them. I grew up in Edinburgh but never managed to visit the northwest of the country. I'd love to go. Although I assure you that the view from Fort William is good when it's not pea-souper foggy.

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics! If you get the chance you should definitely go - just pray it doesn't rain the whole time.

I would like to go back and visit some of the islands further out - and I'll make sure it's in whale season this time. Seeing whales is great.

[romanyg.livejournal.com]

Having been raised with both systems myself, I find myself going back and forth and sometimes picking the wrong one for the application I need. I also scream at spellcheck a lot which, unlike me, can only encompass one system or the other and not both at once.

And thank you for the pimp! A few people have come by due to that and I appreciate it. Plus, I appreciate it because the way you presented the Spike and Angelus dynamic in "Descent" is one of the best that I've seen in fic.

[indri]

I went to school in the UK and the US and then compounded the problem by moving to Australia, where everyone is confused. Australia's opposition is the Labor party, who traditionally support the labour unions... and so on.

Glad to pimp. It's a great essay.

the way you presented the Spike and Angelus dynamic in "Descent" is one of the best that I've seen in fic

Those tiny snippets? Well, I have learnt a lot from other fic writers and essayists :)

[romanyg.livejournal.com]

Those tiny snippets? Well, I have learnt a lot from other fic writers and essayists :)

Well, those tiny snippets when sewn together with the others are most wondrous. Truly.