I have a question that I need to ask you, my Blogger friends....
Many of you will realise I spell differently to most of you...
Some of the differences are:
I may use an S instead of a Z.
I write centre instead of center.
Tyre instead of tire.
Kerb instead of curb..
Now the question?????
If you were reading a book by me....would you prefer it written in British/Australian English.
Or
American English?
If you were to read a book about Australia, would you want that book to be in Australian English or American English???
Or wouldn't it matter at all??
You opinion is valuable, so please tell me.
..hmmmn... for me, though English was just my second tongue i would still prefer my readings to be in american english... but it really doesn't matter if it's written in any kind of English for as long as i could understand it, why not? like for instance i read books written in Old English like that of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Sophocles and many others and i could understand it clearly because i was exposed to it since i was a child... so either ways it's all acceptable..and no prob with me..(:
ReplyDeleteGod bless!:)
~Kelvin
Hello Kelvin. God bless your honesty. I appreciate it so much.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal..Australian English of course! I hope you are aware that 'tire'..is to become tired and 'tyre' is a rubber 'wheel' that's on your car...two different words entirely. Are you ok?
ReplyDeleteHello Crystal Mary. I've always found the different dialects of English to be very interesting. I'm like Kelvin, I'm comfortable with both American and British English, although I might need some uniquely Aussie terms explained to me! I speak two languages fluently and am learning a third - a very common thing on this island, given the colonial influence.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great day. God bless!
Either one for me...but....if the book is about Australia....I think the British/Australian English would be much more interesting!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, In the U.S. they say tire for our tyre... I have to make up my mind which dialect I use. Yes I am okay, just a bit frazzled. Spent hours at Noosa hospital today and am back there again on Monday. Having the diversional therapist here on Tuesday. Then back to hosp next Friday. Wonderful pre-hosp care. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Vilisi, You have me wondering what island you live on?? I had a nursing friend who lived and returned to the Cook islands. Her name was Uana, such a special person. Thank you for responding.
Deb, Thank you for that..its great to get feedback. Good onya.
The only way to be authentic is to use British/Aussie or Aussie. Besides, to Americans, that is the most charming dialect anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think to use your natural dialect is the best. As an American, I think it is fun and expands my world to read Australian English and British English.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a phrase you think would cause misunderstanding, you could mention it.
What are you writing right now?
Fondly,
Glenda
I second the vote of British/Australian English. If I was going to write a book about Hill Billies it would need to be in that thar language...so that I could clearly be drawn into the book...reading about a Hill Billy with the "a Not hill billy" dialect ...I just do not think I could vision and become a part of the story ..so I vote British/Australian...so that I can become a part of the characters in your book. I have a very dear friend,Lisa from Australia and I love to read her emails to me...."good day mate"..."your mum" or "your mummy"....
ReplyDeleteI think if it is Australian then the readers mostly likely wouldn't have a problem with it being Australian-English. Knowing that this is the authentic way the author speaks. I'm with joybug, you just love to hear a australian speak. And if you read it. You can imagine the accent.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely write it the way you would normally write it. It's part of the originality of the author which adds richness to my reading experience!! Don't over think a thing. Just do what is natural... It will be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
You might want to appeal to the market where it will be sold - - - but if the word is still easily understood - - - the basic differences you pointed out, then you should write it that way to stay true to your country.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely spell things the way your own home culture does - that's what makes it real and not synthetic. I have American English on my spell-check and it doesn't like it when I don't spell '-ise' words '-ize'!
ReplyDeleteWell here in English.
ReplyDeleteThere in Australian/English.
Hope you are doing good!
Hi Crystal Mary...I'm on Niue Island which is quite close to the Cook Is but probably not as accessible as the Cooks.We speak 'British' English which I think is more Kiwi with a distinct Polynesian flavour in terms of accent and slangs.I tend to agree that if you are thinking of a book about Aussie, it would be lovely and authentic to have it in Aussie English and maybe a glossary of unique Aussie terms thrown in? Have a great day, today! :)
ReplyDeleteThe saying about subject matter is "write what you know." It seems to me it's equally good advice for the choice of vernacular (if THAT'S the right word)!
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal Mary, After posting on Authonomy a Englnd based site with many writers from Australia, England Ireland I have gotten use to the lingo, though I sometimes have to re-read some of the slang parts , of course being from America I am more comfortable with my native tongue though it would not deter me from buying a bok if it was a topic I was interested in...hope this helps..love hugs and prayers Patricia
ReplyDeleteBecause I don't live in Australia and may be reading your book because I am interested in visiting, it would be important for me to understand it. Therefore, American English please.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal Mary,
ReplyDeleteIf the book is about Australia, then by all means write in Australian English. If it is not, then it does not matter.
Blessings,
Ken
Hello all.. i actually wrote a little to each of you my friends and then lost the lot..
ReplyDeleteBless you all, you are worth your weight in gold.. Blessings Crystal
You're writing as an Australian so I think I would prefer you to write as you normally would. I have some understanding of British English terminology as opposed to American and what I don't know I can always look up. If you were to use terms that might be strictly Australian, a short glossary in the back might be helpful and educative. When I taught English literature I always did a lesson on some of the basic differences between British and American English and the students always found it both fun and interesting. Always good to learn new things!
ReplyDeleteHello Crystal Mary. So there you have it, we all love the way you write. God bless you wherever you are and however you right, Ha, Ha.
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa is also of British descent and so of course I write in English. My computer however is of American descent and hates my writing, it keeps on critter sizing me.
Love you lots, Geoff.
Be yourself, your readers will want to identify with you. To be otherwise would be like Crocodile Dundee speaking proper English--unreal. :)
ReplyDeleteEither is fine, and perhaps Australian/British English for your book. My husband and I are American and read lots of books by British mystery writers so we understand the different spellings and meanings (i.e. he picked up the torch, he looked in the boot).
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world would I want to read your book in any other langage than YOUR own?
ReplyDeleteoops...that should be language (smile). I'm not making a new language!
ReplyDeleteI cam to you from Glenda, but two of my children visited Australia as student ambassadors. I would prefer, to make it more authentic, use your own language!!! If you felt the need, you could include a word reference.
ReplyDelete