News1 min ago
US/UK spelling email etiquette
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What is the etiquette for spelling when emailing the US? I sometimes have to deal with colleagues/clients in the US and it looks really odd if they're asking where their "check" is and you answer the "cheque" will be in the post next week (to use one example, but I think it's more jarring than color/colour; surprize/surprise etc).
Do you carry on the entire email conversation using the correct spelling for your country or do you slip into their usage?
Do you carry on the entire email conversation using the correct spelling for your country or do you slip into their usage?
Answers
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No best answer has yet been selected by Karen2005. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I had business dealings with an English person who, having spent some time in U.S. insisted on using the Americanisation of spelling/words; we formed fairly entrenched positions over sidewalk/pavement, elevator/lift, check/cheque, etc. but I remained steadfast in the face of this mangling of English, which, after all IS English and not American.
I personally enjoy seeing the English terms/words/phrases used on AB. As an American and Eglish teacher learning new words, etc. is something I enjoy. I think most people can certainly understand whether check or cheque is used. There also seems to be quite a bit of popular literature from the UK that is making it's way here. Therefore one must recognize the word usage or look it up. (As I often do when reading posts here.) I agree that the English language is being lost and that our vocabularies are shrinking. I would conduct email in the form you are most comfortable using.
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/links.htm
slang from around the world for the bookish among us!
Including uk - us dictionary fun and informal guide.
http://www.effingpot.com/index.shtml
slang from around the world for the bookish among us!
Including uk - us dictionary fun and informal guide.
http://www.effingpot.com/index.shtml
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