UK Translation vs USA Translation

[mamabook3]

I am purchasing used books to be read by school-aged children in the United States. Found a few from a seller in the United Kingdom but it occurred to me that there might be a translation problem. While both countries essentially speak English, there are a great many words which do not have the same understood meanings. For example, in the USA the front-top of a car is called it's hood while it is commonly referred to as a bonnet in the UK. While the context of the story is not altered, such a difference in word usage could be confusing to children (and adults). So, can anyone tell me if there is a translation difference for books which are printed for sale in the UK and the same titles which are printed for sale in the USA? Any insight would be appreciated! THANKS!!

[sara3]

can't you just explain the differences? we all did To Kill A Mockingbird at school (my daughter is reading it now), and there are many words in that really threw me.. but it's interesting to know how other people write/speak.

surely it's all a learning experience?

[daffy654]

I don't know any adults that would be confused by your example or similar. We in the UK are very used to Americanisms as they are used here all the time.Why not make a list of common American words and a list of the English version and let the children learn that? My daughter when at high school had to do this for a project,she also had to make a list of words that meant different things in different countries,for example:hood could mean either the bonnet of a car or a neighbourhood in the US but here in the UK it means part of a garment that goes over your head.We had great fun researching the subject.

[Lil O'lady]

Words also shift meaning with time - I would concentrate on the elements that children love ie the story, and bother about any 'translating' as and when needed.
Better still, start them reading books in completely new languages so the synapses stay flexible as they grow into multilingual adults.

[saxy_jag]

Meg Cabot's books don't need any translating, although UK editions have certain words spelt 'correctly' - color/colour, authorize/authorise etc. Terminology remains the same. I don't see why it shouldn't be any different the other way round.

[mamabook3]

All very good points. However, these books are for a library setting where there would not be any way to assist the reader. If there are language/word differences, I can simply buy the books from a US seller. I was just interested in finding out if there are differences. Thanks for your replies.

[spudqueen]

Yes there will be differences, spelling being the main one (we use spellings like neighbour, colour etc). I don't know if words are changed (eg we turn a tap, not a faucet on, to get water). I did once read an American childrens book but all I can remember is that they spelt Queen (referring to our Queen - Elizabeth II) without the capital Q. For the purpose you want to buy the books I'd get them from an American supplier.

[coccinelle]

There's an american version of the Harry Potter books so there is a difference.

[woofgang]

When I lived in the US (15 years ago now) Books that were written by English authors were expected to have English usage and spellings. I worked a s a volunteer in the local library and this didn't seem to phase the children or the adults!

[ChuckFickens]

Can you not simply put a sticker inside the front cover explaining that they are UK books and therefore may have different spelling of some words. You could even go so far as to read the book and any words you find that are totally different (such as your example of hood/bonnet) could be listed on the sticker with the American counterpart.

With the greatest respect I would suggest that it may actually help with their education as in my experience many Americans have little to no knowledge of different cultures and to introduce them to the concept that other countries use I different form of English would be good for them.