Like the site and what it does very much. I also like the fact that the language can be changed using the drop down menu at the top right hand corner. I am just confused as to why U.S. English is there and why not just English? I realise that the US have changed English somewhat, but not so drastically that it is a different language.
U.S. English?
(11 posts) (8 voices)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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There are differences in the languages in many ways - some of the terms are totally different but most people are aware of them and can understand them.
I think the reason for the specification of "U.S. English" is spelling! There are many words that are spelled differently in "U.S. English" and "U.K. English". One of the most common is "color" or "colour". Many of the American words that are spelled with an 'o' are spelled with an 'ou' in England.
Even typing this, Firefox's spell checker doesn't like "colour"!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I'd vote for "Australian" English ;)
It probably has something to do with the large majority of the visitors to the site being American. There is no real to specify English as being of the U.S. Variety - as even for the visitors from the United States and the "English" descriptions of software lifted from developers sites - it is quite clear the criteria of "English" is met with a lot of give and take.
Sometimes I think the caption should read "English (or near enough)". I don't go for perfection, as long as you can "get the meaning".
Posted 14 years ago # -
Even typing this, Firefox's spell checker doesn't like "colour"!
You need to either install the British version of Firefox - or add the British dictionaries to the US version of Firefox.
I get used to the US spelling - when coding it is spelled "color"... the result of having the standards defined with "U.S. English".
Posted 14 years ago # -
I know I can add the "our" words to the dictionary. It's just not worth the trouble in general. My "main" site (the EMS Cross-Stitch Board) has the default language of "US" English but it's based in Austria. I've gotten used to all sorts of different spellings of things (not always accurate) but, as you said, as long as the meaning is clear, I ignore it.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I think the whole idea of having a set of rules (grammar) and correct spelling is a rather out-dated idea. So long as the meaning is understood, or near enough, then that should be enough.
Our esteemed English Bard Shakespeare spelled his name several different ways over his lifetime.
I've found over the time I've been communicating with friends on the net my spelling of words like color has changed to the american spelling and even words not normally used in England have become part of my vocabullary (such as sidewalk instead of pavement, fender instead of bumper, elevator instead of lift, apartment instead of block of flats and even gas instead of petrol (though I use both of the latter) etc. Probably becasue I chat to a lot of American friends online.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I vote for Canadian English!
LOL..just kidding...but people sometimes forget that Canadians also share the same spelling rules as our pals in the UK and Australia!
I am proud of having the difference(viva la difference, after all!) and have not altered the way I spell things even though I frequent American forums etc...Posted 14 years ago # -
BuBBy: I'd vote for "Australian" English ;)
Are you sick of all your favo-U-rite colo-U-rful language being marked as incorrect? Me too. Live no more in the world of crazy American spelling - get the Australian English Dictionary :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
But over the years of computer programming, American syndicated television and media, the internet and volunteering to write/edit on sites where US English is the standard - my Aussie dictionary would run out of red ink. I just throw my arms in the air and give up. UK/Aussie/Canadian English loses (at least until we outnumber the Americans... the Kiwis are working on teaching sheep to spell).
Posted 14 years ago # -
And then you get into similar things that mean different things (and my spell checker doesn't catch those when typing), like "their", "there", or "too", "two", and "to". I guess as long as we get the gist of it, we're doing OK.
Posted 14 years ago # -
English nz au uk us in that order & I can spell not very good & I mix it up but the word not the some us to uk key = wodruff key , DC generator = Dynamo, release bearing =thrust bering "Cluch" , intake = inlet , lash = free play " Clearance " Vale lifter = Tappet
Transmission = Gearbox , Backend = diff , us au nz Crown wheel uk ring gear
Trunk = boot , header = exhaust mainafold
Layshaft = countershaft = clustergear ," us au nz cluch fork 'uk' throw-out Yoke "
Try and buy in a shop in New Zealand most in US English it all be us English be for longPosted 14 years ago #
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