Is it acceptable to use British English in United States??

[MacNut]

I speak and write what I was taught, so if I am in Britain I will speak it the way I was brought up. I would expect the same from them. Why should they be different to suit someone else. I think the bigger issue is using British slang in America. People might get offended.

 

[kabunaru]

I'm not sure I really have much justification beyond that. I've been marked down in every English class I've taken in high school for spelling the way I do, and I still haven't changed. Eh.

How many points you got deducted for just using British English alone?

And I agree, it does feel more natural.

 

[mathcolo]

why wouldnt it be? theres tons of languages here.


I actually wish i was british

If we live in the United States, don't we all?

 

[kabunaru]

If we live in the United States, don't we all?

The original patriots were British weren't they? So, a lot of Americans are/could be related to the British.

 

[OzExige]

Ah yes, the vastly superior linguistic skills that come with being british

Yeh, too rite mayte'

wees connvics no da mudder lanwidge

 

[mojohanna]

I think one of the people he's referring to is myself. I'm even in AP English, and my teacher won't take the time to listen and understand that I'm perfectly capable of using both, just that I prefer to use English English. I like the spelling more, and it feels more natural to me (especially having used it for so long). I'm not sure I really have much justification beyond that. I've been marked down in every English class I've taken in high school for spelling the way I do, and I still haven't changed. Eh.

I don't understand why people buck the system just to prove a point, especially when the point itself is pointless. Now, stylistically, if you were to choose this spelling to be creative, say in a creative writing class then by all means. What happens when you get to a place of higher learning and this means the difference between a A or a B? Better yet, what if it means the difference between passing and failing, getting a job or not.
My point isn't that you won't get a job using British spelling. But at times, you have to accept that there is a standard way of doing things. You have to conform in order to advance.
Let's put it this way. Even though you certainly CAN wear shorts and a t-shirt to a job interview, do you think you would get the job?

 

[jb60606]

Even though I have nothing against American English but I really prefer these spellings the most of all:
Theatre over Theater
Centre over Center
Oestrogen over Estrogen (this one does not even start with the same letter).

Humour: Even my spell checker on my computer says the 2nd word on each list is wrong.

it's funny you should mention that - I live in what is formally named the City "Centre" in Chicago's "Theatre" district.

In my experience, either form of English has always been acceptable in most settings/syntax. I've never received a negative mark on an exam or report for using "colours", or an 's' in place of a 'z'. The only people I've ever seen whine about it were the English themselves... for "bastardizing their language" and, in some cases, for even attempting to use it correctly.

Any teacher that deducts a point or two for using the Queen's (or is it King's) English should have his/her license revoked, IMO. They don't really have a leg to stand on in that argument.

 

[TheAnswer]

But at times, you have to accept that there is a standard way of doing things. You have to conform in order to advance.

Quite right. Assuming that this global economy thing truly exists, perhaps we should take a poll of global English speakers and settle this mess once and for all?

 

[kabunaru]

They don't really have a leg to stand on in that argument.

You know what is really funny? An "English" class that deducts points for using British English. What kind of "English" class is that if they mark British English wrong?
This is one of the funniest things ever.

 

[SilentGreg]

Yes and no. Is there anything wrong with writing out British English words instead of American English words? No. Is it acceptable on a daily basis? Depends on who you ask.

I have a professor who does not want anyone to use any other "dictionary" other than the standard American English dictionary. For example, I must use color not colour. If I were to use the British English spelling, I would fail the paper. Not to say my teacher is anti-British or anything along those lines, but he prefers his students to have a uniform language, that is American English.


But for anyone else on a daily basis to use British English, it's perfectly fine.

 

[Abstract]

Look, you started this thread just to express your preference for "British" English. Pretty obvious.

But thanks for bringing up that "Theatre" "Theater" example. Again. We've been enlightened.

I don't understand why people buck the system just to prove a point, especially when the point itself is pointless.

Exactly.

If you're American, and you live in America, there's no reason why you'd start to use British spelling, especially most of your texts and books use your native, "American" spelling. Using British spellings in America is as bad as when Americans try to speak with an English accent to impress people, as there's no rhyme or reason for it. My English friends love it when Americans ask them, "Hey, does my English accent sound good?"

 

[jb60606]

Look, you started this thread just to express your preference for "British" English. Pretty obvious.

But thanks for bringing up that "Theatre" "Theater" example. Again. We've been enlightened.




Exactly.

You're American. Using British spellings in America is really as bad as when Americans try to speak with an English accent to impress people, as there's no rhyme or reason for it. My English friends love it when Americans ask them, "Hey, does my English accent sound good?"

some Americans were raised with the English usage/spelling. Specifically those with parents originating from other countries.

 

[Abstract]

Then that's more acceptable.

On the other hand, many people who have British parents still use American spelling because a person's main exposure to spelling is from what they use at school, what they read in the newspaper, textbooks, books, magazines, etc. Having British parents would have more of an impact on spoken English, as the child will probably pick up on British slang, even if it is unintentional.

So except on some rare occasions, it's just pretentious.

 

[Gray-Wolf]

You know what is really funny? An "English" class that deducts points for using British English. What kind of "English" class is that if they mark British English wrong?
This is one of the funniest things ever.

"English" that is taught in american schools, is not a language as such. It it the study of adverb, verbs and so forth. It is like trying to read and write, not learn a language like Spanish or french. It's assumed for you to be in the class, you already know the language.

I like hearing british english, but much prefer American spelling. Center rather than Centre. er versus re like report.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

Then that's more acceptable.

On the other hand, many people who have British parents still use American spelling because a person's main exposure to spelling is from what they use at school, what they read in the newspaper, textbooks, books, magazines, etc. Having British parents would have more of an impact on spoken English, as the child will probably pick up on British slang, even if it is unintentional.

So except on some rare occasions, it's just pretentious.

I've never meant to be pretentious in my spelling. I picked it up not with the intention to "buck the system" as another poster said, and not to be snobby or start arguments, but simply because I became exposed to it, and was like, "this just looks so much better/cooler/more elegant/whatever to me. I should pick this up." To answer Mojohanna's post, I do know where to draw the line. In high school, I've never felt the need to revert back, as the point deduction is usually like one point (or the equivalent). Not a big deal. If I were making a poster for my job or school, or some other public exposure, I'd probably spell it the American way, simply so people wouldnt be like "What the hell?" I have a fine grasp on both, I've just chosen to use the other. I don't think my use of British English has had any major negative impact on anything, nor does anyone really notice it (except teachers). I really don't know what else to do...I can write both, I choose to write one. Why is it snobby?

 

[JML42691]

As somebody said earlier, it does depend on where you are referring to. But it also depends on if it is writing or speaking. Neither are wrong, but when talking about speaking it is simply an accent, so nothing wrong there. You might find something I say hard to say (strong as hell Boston accent), but that doesn't mean that I don't type my r's as h's. But as for spelling, somebody may question you, but as the general spelling is still pretty similar enough that people will be able to understand what you are saying. So I think that it is acceptable.

By the way, why does it seem that every other thread that you make is about the British accent and spelling and such.

 

[zephead]

I voted "sometimes", because most of the time it's probably fine. Just don't ask anyone if they want to get knocked up in the morning.

 

[jamesi]

Living in cali, i see alot of billboard signs in spanish, so my guess is that british english is kosher....

 

[benflick]

Not pulling the "that guy" card but
British accent is Fine, but Again, nothing meant by this, Mexican sort of angers me, only when they can't speak english and their job requires it. I just had to talk to Cincinnati Bell tech support and I listened as hard as I could to what this (Mexican) was saying and for the life of me, I couldn't understand a thing, And i'm in an AP spanish class. His speech was so poor, I hung up and finally got a very nice lady, (of which had a small British accent)

 

[pimentoLoaf]

I'm finding Firefox spending waaaaaay too much time flagging perfectly-spelled British words -- "theatre" for instance.

...

Oh, wait. That's actually French.

 

[kabunaru]

Oh, wait. That's actually French.

Actually,
Latin: theatrum
Greek: theatron

So, where did theater come from then?

 

[jamesi]

Not pulling the "that guy" card but
British accent is Fine, but Again, nothing meant by this, Mexican sort of angers me, only when they can't speak english and their job requires it. I just had to talk to Cincinnati Bell tech support and I listened as hard as I could to what this (Mexican) was saying and for the life of me, I couldn't understand a thing, And i'm in an AP spanish class. His speech was so poor, I hung up and finally got a very nice lady, (of which had a small British accent)

AP spanish and you call it "mexican"?

 

[kabunaru]

I have a professor who does not want anyone to use any other "dictionary" other than the standard American English dictionary. For example, I must use color not colour. If I were to use the British English spelling, I would fail the paper. Not to say my teacher is anti-British or anything along those lines, but he prefers his students to have a uniform language, that is American English.

Then he is not a "true" English professor. "True" English professors accept either American or British.
British English is still English.

 

[Iscariot]

Having worked on thousands of legal documents, I would have to say "no" in the strictest, most formal sense. Adhering to a set dictionary is of vital importance for anything that is written or edited by multiple authors. In informal writing though, I would say it really doesn't matter.

 

[kabunaru]

Look, you started this thread just to express your preference for "British" English. Pretty obvious.

So, why I cannot be humourous as well in the thread with the spelling example?
I just want to see what people say about using: "British English in United States".