Archive for the ‘Global English’ Category

When "Write" Doesn't Matter

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Last week I posted this entry, “When a Spelling Error isn’t a Spelling Error,” on a forum that I frequent.  Much to my surprise, the response was laden with angst, resentment and vengeance. 

Readers concluded that I am judgmental about their writing.  Some said I have no business telling them how to write.  Others said I was a poor teacher because teachers, after all, should just encourage students to write without pointing out their errors.  Otherwise, I am damaging their confidence. 

What was lost in my sharing of my post is my intent to impart information.  My effort was to provide insight into a frustrating aspect of dealing with international communications.  Instead, my readers viewed my input as my smacking their knuckles with a ruler.

I attempted to clarify to my readers that I don’t really care if they spell things wrong in their communications.  Instead, it was about helping them when written communication is important.  For whatever reason, that was neither acknowledged or absorbed.  Readers continued to argue that their clients should get the gist and read between the misspelled lines or typo’s or missing commas.  After all, the age of the internet invites the change of language and spelliing.  I acknowledge that is probably true, but there is a time and a place for everything.

With that, when does “write” matter?  In many instances, it does not matter.  Twitter?  That doesn’t matter.  Facebook?  Also does not matter.  Forum posts?  STILL does not matter.  In email?  It doesn’t matter when it is informal.  IM?  Who cares?  Even in these mediums, I do not subscribe to perfect language because they are all informal.

In dealing with business relationships, it absolutely matters!  You have to put your best (written language) face forward in order to be taken seriously.  I would NEVER, with any given (potential) client, casually toss out a proposal laden with errors.  The same is true when applying for jobs.  It’s not done — unless you don’t want the job.  Employers really look into this and frown upon lazy writing.

Otherwise, go ahead and write sloppily to your heart’s content.  Then come here and share your experiences.

Posted in Cyber Communications, Global English, Grammar, Spelling | 2 Comments »

When A Spelling Error Isn't An Error

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

“Do you recognise this person?”

As an American editor I may be too quick to correct recognise in a transcript to read, “recognize.” I know this because spellcheck told me! 

That clears things up – doesn’t it? Thank goodness! However, it’s not that simple.

In some countries, “recognise” is a correct spelling of the word that we spell as “recognize.”  They both mean the same thing.  They are just spelled differently.

There is a branch in applied linguistics that studies global English (also called World English or International English). In a nutshell, this field examines the various forms of English in the world and what influences their individual styles. I tend to look at this through the lens of postcolonialism – since that is a large component of my studies as an English major. In particular, how have territorial acquisitions by western territories such as France, Britain and the United States impact English usage in the non-western world?

Of course, my immediate conclusion (assumed, not researched) is that Great Britain laid the foundation of World English. As it relates to the United States of America, the founding fathers of New England were Brits, who wanted to exercise freedom from religion imposed under the Queen’s rule. That is where British English was transplanted to the United States. Over time, Americans have modified both written and spoken English.

That is my simplest explanation for how International English was born in this country. I won’t venture into other territories that England (as well as France and Spain) colonized in the world. You can read details of those in the global English link here. That is enough background information to move on to the importance of understanding the impact of international English in the age of the internet.

On the worldwide web we communicate with people from all over the world. When we communicate with them (email or as virtual clients), we must be mindful of the different types of international English. These terms encompass differences among Britain, Canada and the United States only. Therefore, review the link on global English, and read about South African English; Indian English; and West Indian English to get a sense of those English styles as well.

Why does any of this matter? In my opinion, too many Americans consider their English as the correct English without recognising (respecting?) acceptable differences in Global English spellings. Print the variation list, and keep it handy for occasions when you are exchanging with people from across the globe. They are not necessarily wrong, and we are not necessarily write!

Posted in Global English, Spelling | 5 Comments »