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. (
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 />