Ameripicking
Feb. 26th, 2014 02:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snick_backupI was reading along in my latest issue of Mighty Avengers, and suddenly I sat up and said, "Huh, I did not this author was British." I looked him up, and lo he was. I got clued in because he used one of those tricky phrases that I think doesn't get included in the sweater/jumper list of American and British English differences.
So, here are three phrasings that always tell me that an author isn't American and which I wouldn't expect from an American character (generally speaking; I assume there are regional differences, but these have all been faithful indicators for me in the past as to authorship):
1. Using 'meant to' where I would use 'supposed to.' I usually interpret 'meant to' as being about, say, purpose or life meaning or someone's (say a parent's or God's) intentions for someone else. 'Supposed to' is much more immediate and includes expectations one puts on oneself.
Good example: Vivian always knew she was meant to work with kids.
Bad example: We're meant to be unpacking our stuff, but it's kind of turned into a housewarming.
Fixed example: We're supposed to be unpacking our stuff, but it's kind of turned into a housewarming.
2. 'Different to.' This FAQ breaks down the UK/US usage. Basically, US speakers never say 'different to,' ever. I would instead use 'different from' (which is apparently fairly standard worldwide) or 'different than' (which is more of an American-specific usage).
3. Singular/plural usage of collective nouns. I actually don't see non-American writers use this for American characters, so maybe everyone already knows about it, but I think it's cool, so I'm going to tell you about it anyway. Basically, American English always uses collective nouns (ex: family, team) as singular and British English sometimes uses them as plural, if the context treats the difference members as indivduals.
British English: The company are braced for lay-offs.
American English: The company is braced for lay-offs.
(I am not totally confident of my British English example there; someone tell me if it sounds ridiculous.)
Crossposted from Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. (
DW replies)
So, here are three phrasings that always tell me that an author isn't American and which I wouldn't expect from an American character (generally speaking; I assume there are regional differences, but these have all been faithful indicators for me in the past as to authorship):
1. Using 'meant to' where I would use 'supposed to.' I usually interpret 'meant to' as being about, say, purpose or life meaning or someone's (say a parent's or God's) intentions for someone else. 'Supposed to' is much more immediate and includes expectations one puts on oneself.
Good example: Vivian always knew she was meant to work with kids.
Bad example: We're meant to be unpacking our stuff, but it's kind of turned into a housewarming.
Fixed example: We're supposed to be unpacking our stuff, but it's kind of turned into a housewarming.
2. 'Different to.' This FAQ breaks down the UK/US usage. Basically, US speakers never say 'different to,' ever. I would instead use 'different from' (which is apparently fairly standard worldwide) or 'different than' (which is more of an American-specific usage).
3. Singular/plural usage of collective nouns. I actually don't see non-American writers use this for American characters, so maybe everyone already knows about it, but I think it's cool, so I'm going to tell you about it anyway. Basically, American English always uses collective nouns (ex: family, team) as singular and British English sometimes uses them as plural, if the context treats the difference members as indivduals.
British English: The company are braced for lay-offs.
American English: The company is braced for lay-offs.
(I am not totally confident of my British English example there; someone tell me if it sounds ridiculous.)
Crossposted from Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. (
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no subject
Date: 2014-02-26 11:32 pm (UTC)"fortnight" is definitely one of my big red Brit flags, so to speak. *lol* (Also "torch" and "bonnet" are ones I notice.)
The one that REALLY pings me though is "Fancy" ie "Would you fancy a drink?" NO American I've ever met uses that phrase to mean "Would you like...?" unless they were raised in the UK. I've seen buffy say that in fanfic and coming from her it's both hilarious and utterly wrong.
But then again I can't imagine the torture you go through reading American writers attempt a semblance of UK English. I'm fairly certain you do it better because the rest of the world gets exposed to our tv and movies; few Americans watch "The Eastenders" etc.
no subject
Date: 2014-02-27 12:18 am (UTC)No definite article there - it's "Eastenders".
One of the most painful things to me is American authors using street names without "road", "street" etc. We never do it, if only because Park Street might well have a Park Lane a hundred yards away, and a Park Avenue beyond it. So we never say "Go down Park and take a left onto Grange." Not that we'd "take" a left anyway...
no subject
Date: 2014-02-27 01:47 am (UTC)See what I mean? I didn't bother to look that up (lazy American *slaps forehead*)
*lol*
One of the most painful things to me is American authors using street names without "road", "street" etc.
I did not know that, thank you! It seems odd that you do and we don't because it's the same issue as you have, there might be a park lane AND road - and actually, I've gotten far more careful about that thanks to Google maps of all things - you HAVE to have road, street etc or you'll end up in entirely the wrong place.
I think perhaps Americans are just lazy with our own language. We'll do anything to shave off a few seconds - drop syllables or smash them together, ("ginger ale" was pronounced as though it was one word when I was growing up), acronyms and so forth.
Not that we'd "take" a left anyway...
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/RedSatinDoll/BUFFY/Buffy%20GIFS%20and%20animations/tumblr_lno1gkAm3X1qjh01v_zpsbc3d595f.gif />