International spelling

CaroGirl · Oct 9, 2006

When you read a novel, do you note the spelling of certain words and conclude the origin of the piece from that? Or does it just not register, or matter, to you?

For example, doughnut, plough, colour, honour, valour, etc. If you see those words, do Americans (let's say) automatically think, this is either written and set in Canada or the UK, and adjust their sensibility for the read? Or, does it just not matter to you at all?

Do books that are marketed and sold in the US get localized before distribution?

alleycat · Oct 9, 2006

Generally, I know where a book was published before I begin to read it. Of course, words like "colour/color" would give it away anyway.

I don't have any problem with novels published in the UK. It's not that much of a problem to "adjust" to the slight difference in a few spellings. With non-fiction, it can sometimes make a difference to me; not so much because of the spelling as because of the difference in "tempo and tone" that a British writer uses compared to an American. If I have a choice between two non-fiction books that seem to be of equal quality, and one is published in the US and one in the UK, I'll choose the American one. If, however, the UK book is clearly superior, I'll choose it and put up with the slight extra effort required.

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 9, 2006

CaroGirl said:
...doughnut...

Is there another way to spell doughnut?

As far as the other words, yes, I think it's written by some weird Canadian or Brit or even an Aussie.

veinglory · Oct 9, 2006

I will notice early on but them it stops being an issue. But then I grew up reading books from all over. NZ book shops are technically subject to a sort of UK monopoly but UK distrubted US-books, Amazon etc put an end to that really.

Snitchcat · Oct 9, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
Is there another way to spell doughnut?

I believe the US spelling of "doughnut" is "donut".

Personally, I choose to ignore the spelling system, unless something really jumps out at me.

IMO, a story will be as good as its writing, regardless of what spelling system is used.

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 9, 2006

Snitchcat said:
I believe the US spelling of "doughnut" is "donut".

Personally, I choose to ignore the spelling system, unless something really jumps out at me.

IMO, a story will be as good as its writing, regardless of what spelling system is used.

I believe in the US both spellings are somewhat interchangeable, now that I think on it. Dunkin Donuts. But I've always spelled it doughnut.

But in regards to writing, spelling conventions don't make or break the writing, it simply identifies the origin of the author.

MidnightMuse · Oct 9, 2006

I'm used to seeing things spelled in that unique Canadian way, and things with heavy UK style, so it never really sticks out when I see it. Though I do make a mental note, I'm sure those of us who do see that often don't give it a second thought. But I remember when one of my nieces first saw different spellings in a book, she told me she didn't understand how a book from a bookstore could have been printed with so many words spelled wrong

(this is also the niece who, upon hearing her mother say "There's a dead skunk in the middle of the road" replied by askng "Who would put a dead skunk in the middle of a road?")

maddythemad · Oct 9, 2006

I'm American, but I actually prefer the British spelling. I constantly put it into my work without thinking, and then have to go through and "Americanize" it. I think I've read Harry Potter one too many times.

Cath · Oct 9, 2006

Caro, you asked if books get Americanized. Short answer is yes - an American publisher of a British book will change the spelling and sometimes the odd word to make the work more familiar to a US audience.

Which is why, in the latest Jasper Fforde, "biscuit" became "cookie" and a whole host of brand names were swapped over.

Now I'm thinking of writing something for the US market that heavily features Marmite, just to see how they interpret that one!

Simon Woodhouse · Oct 9, 2006

I got pulled up on this the other day. I submitted an article using UK spellings of 'idolise' and 'fantasise' – 's' instead of 'z'. The editor sent me a note saying I should watch my spelling mistakes. I replied pointing out I'd used UK English instead of US English, but now I know what they want I'd be more than happy to write that way in the future.

Scribhneoir · Oct 9, 2006

CaroGirl said:
When you read a novel, do you note the spelling of certain words and conclude the origin of the piece from that? Or does it just not register, or matter, to you?

The spelling registers, but it doesn't matter to me. I'm familiar with UK spelling conventions and vocabulary differences, so I don't find it jarring. (Unless I hit some slang term I've never come across before and have to stop and puzzle out its meaning.) And, of course, if I'm reading a British author, I expect to see UK usage.

Sassenach · Oct 9, 2006

It's not the spellings but usages that can confuse people, e.g.:
Jumper
boot
lift
lounge
beaker

aka eraser · Oct 9, 2006

I notice but mostly because I'm conscious of the spelling myself when submitting to American or Canadian markets. I've become adept at dropping my beloved "u"s when writing for an American audience.

veinglory · Oct 9, 2006

I do keep track of who requires full American idiom (not just spelling) regardless of setting. The tolerance for "local color" varies a lot from place to place.

Berry · Oct 9, 2006

Cath said:
Caro, you asked if books get Americanized. Short answer is yes - an American publisher of a British book will change the spelling and sometimes the odd word to make the work more familiar to a US audience.

A slightly more accurate answer would be "sometimes"; I think at first Terry Pratchett's books were Americanised, but lately they've not been.

Personally, since I've read hundreds of both US and UK books, I don't really care while I'm reading. Writers shouldn't worry about it either. If your book is accepted, the house style will be imposed, and if not, it won't be rejected JUST because of the transatlantic spelling. (I know, I know, writers worry about everything )

Stormhawk · Oct 9, 2006

I actually had the same discussion over at Lulu, I'm from Oz and going POD, so I worry about confusing Americans.

My solution has been to use my own spelling (colour instead of colour etc) but use terminology that everyone accepts (apartment instead of unit, couch instead of lounge etc).

KiwiChick · Oct 9, 2006

a related question

Okay, so I'm a New Zealander currently living in the US. As far as I know, NZ spelling is about the same as UK spelling. Supposing I were to start submitting to US agents, would it be really rude of me to use NZ spellings? I'm just not sure I'd trust myself to catch all the words that are different in the US, even using a spell-checker.

KiwiChick

veinglory · Oct 9, 2006

Kiwichick, use US spelling for US agents/markets, definitely. This is not only spelling but also some word use, punctuation and idiom. e.g. do not use 'whilst', do use 'gotten'. The MSword US dictionary catches a lot but an American beta reader is also useful.

kuatolives · Oct 9, 2006

I adjust the spelling depending on the setting or characters in the book.
If the book takes place in the US, use american spellings, if the book takes place in the civilized world, adjust accordingly.

veinglory · Oct 9, 2006

Actually I think the spelling and formatting relates more to the agency/Press than the setting. This is often spelled out in the guidlines but it is not safe to assume an American agent wants the spelling UK, Canadian, NZ or any other thing. Safest assumption if the guidelines do not specify is to write it in what they call "American".

Storyteller5 · Oct 9, 2006

I don't mind much when I see those spellings because I tend to use those spellings myself. I spell it colour and neighbour and honour.

janetbellinger · Oct 9, 2006

I have always used the Canadian spellings but in my current novel am changing them to American.

CaroGirl · Oct 9, 2006

janetbellinger said:
I have always used the Canadian spellings but in my current novel am changing them to American.

Why are you changing it only now? What has changed for you? Had you sold work only in Canada up to now?

janetbellinger · Oct 9, 2006

I haven't sold any work at all but just figure that American spellings are acceptable in Canada but Canadian ones may not be in the U.S., so what have I got to lose? It gives me more scope for what it's worth.

L M Ashton · Oct 9, 2006

Growing up in Canada, I became confused.

Canadian spelling is, everywhere I lived, British or American - either is acceptable. I also grew up reading stuff from everywhere, so alternate spellings don't bother me.

OTOH, I've had (American) critters "correct" my "spelling mistakes", paying no attention to my country of origin, setting, or anything else.

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