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

[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.