I am American writing for an American audience, but my WIP is set in the Middle East. Shoud I use kilometers and kilograms which fit the setting better or miles and pounds, which my readers would understand more readily?
Metric in my WIP?
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I would go with metric if the characters are the one using the measurements. Most Americans can either convert it easily enough, or can make a "guessimate" due to the fact that drugs, speedometers, soft drink bottes, etc. are also in metric here.
For authenticity, especially if your narrator is native to the country in question, or if you reference measurement in dialogue, you should use the local lingo. Give readers the benefit of the doubt. They'll figure it out.
The metric system is your friend.
The metric system is your friend.
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I agree. In my WIP, the MC is nurse and when asked by the doctor a patient's weight, she answers in kilos.
Metric is taking over here (Scotland) but I still don't understand it. Every time I have a well woman check, my nurse tells me I weigh X-number of kilos and I say, "What's that in old money?"
This is an interesting question. I live in an odd country. Metric has been taught in our school system since I was a child. However, in everyday conversation, it's used only partially. We all use metric for temperature (C) and distance (km), but if you ask someone how tall he is, or what he weighs, you'll get an answer in imperial (if you get an answer to the weight question LoL).
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I agree with what most have said here. If the characters are native to the Middle East they would use metrics. If the characters are Americans visiting over there, they would use standard. If the characters are Americans working abroad they might actually use a mix of the two depending on who they are talking to.
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when in rome...
If your character is an American, you could have him say something like, "I weigh about 185 pounds" and have someone correct him, "Huh?" "Oh, about 85 kilos."
My American protagonist travels to Hong Kong where they use metrics. It threw my character at first. He still uses "miles" and "pounds" but the other characters are using "kilometers" and "kilograms." You should use metrics, on the other hand, in your narrative if you set the story in the Middle East.
If your character is an American, you could have him say something like, "I weigh about 185 pounds" and have someone correct him, "Huh?" "Oh, about 85 kilos."
My American protagonist travels to Hong Kong where they use metrics. It threw my character at first. He still uses "miles" and "pounds" but the other characters are using "kilometers" and "kilograms." You should use metrics, on the other hand, in your narrative if you set the story in the Middle East.
Thanks for all the replies. I agree the characters should use metrics in their thoughts and dialogue, but what about the narrative? For example
He had at least another 40 kilometers to go
or
Though the man was at least twenty kilos heavier, Abbas pushed him out of the way easily.
Shoud these narrative details be in miles and pounds instead, or should I just expect my readers to deal?
He had at least another 40 kilometers to go
or
Though the man was at least twenty kilos heavier, Abbas pushed him out of the way easily.
Shoud these narrative details be in miles and pounds instead, or should I just expect my readers to deal?
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Prawn said:
I think you should use the same measuring system in your narrative that you use in your dialogue. I think to use one system in dialogue and another system in narrative, would be confusing to the reader.
scarletpeaches said:
*Sigh* It's not easy going the other way either. I went from metric to imperial and still have a hard time visualising miles, feet and pounds.
My WIP is set in a country that uses metric, so that's what I'm using. I bet a publisher will change if it they want/need to.
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Prawn said:
Be consistent. I can't see a reason why your narrative would not use metrics if your characters do. However, if you really think your American audience would be confused, sneak in a conversion if you wish.
"He had about 100 Km to go, or about 60 miles."
But really, your readers should be sophisticated enough to understand simple metrics.
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I have a work where there are multiple characters from different regions, and they all use the standard of their area, and during the narrative I still use the standard of their area when I'm telling their part of the story. I think it works out okay. Readers are smart.
I agree with maestro.
IMO, dumbing down your WIP for the lowest common denominator is never a good thing. If your story is set in a certain place, then every aspect of it, including the narrative, should reflect that.
Most Americans have encountered the metric system. Let's give everyone a little credit.
IMO, dumbing down your WIP for the lowest common denominator is never a good thing. If your story is set in a certain place, then every aspect of it, including the narrative, should reflect that.
Most Americans have encountered the metric system. Let's give everyone a little credit.
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If you are talking about motion or driving, I wouldn't even mention "He had 40 KM to go." How long would it take - that frame of reference makes sense to everyone, and I feel a sense of time creates tension, suspense, or boredom.
And, for Americans, different fields use metrics more than others. Engineers use metrics for lots of things, or at least we were trained to.
And, for Americans, different fields use metrics more than others. Engineers use metrics for lots of things, or at least we were trained to.
MattW said:
I agree. Distance doesn't tell me much - is it in the city? in the country? highway? back roads? The location will affect the time it takes to travel your X distance. I'd rather read, "It would be another hellish 50 minutes in this stop and go traffic..."
For this:
I'd say to do just that. I may not be very good at metric conversion, but as a reasonably intelligent person, I can infer that the man is significantly heavier, but Abbas is strong enough to push him out of the way. I'm not going to care enough about the specific number to worry about not knowing exactly how much that is in pounds, KWIM?
I'd just stick with metric all the way through. Your readers will get it.
Okay, so it seems like the characters need to use metrics in their dialogue and thoughts, and to be consistent, I need to use metrics in the narrative as well. Americans who don't know metrics will have to deal with it.
Thanks to all who replied. I really appreciate you going that extra kilometer to help me.
Thanks to all who replied. I really appreciate you going that extra kilometer to help me.
Sorry to nitpick, but I think if you want to use kilometres, you should spell it right.
(I just made a post in another thread about my thoughts on American spelling, and 'simplified' spelling rules.
)
(I just made a post in another thread about my thoughts on American spelling, and 'simplified' spelling rules.
)
Prawn said:
Spirit_Fire said:
I think you may be using the variant, my friend. From dictonary.com:
Main Entry: ki·lo·me·ter
Variant: or chiefly British kilo·me·tre /'kil-&-"mEt-&r, k&-'läm-&t-&r/
Function: noun
: 1000 meters
However, countries that use metric would most likely use the British spelling, not the American (who don't use metric anyway). We use the British spelling in Canada. And the abbreviation is km, not KM.Prawn said:
Now we are in tricky territory. English speaking countries other than the US might spell it metre, but my WIP is not set in an English speaking country, and my characters are not supposed to be speaking in English. But my work is in English, intended for American audiences, so I will use meter.
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