When You Start Using British Terminology http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063 PhantomDream I hate my characters. I'm way behind, my novel is set in Boston, I'm from America and yet my characters keep using British terminology! It's an elevator, people, not a lift. And why is 'bloody' everyone's insult of choice? Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:04:42 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537642 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537642 Timpeni I have a completely different story. My FMC is British. WHY IS SHE SPEAKING LIKE AN AMERICAN? Sure, she's lived in America for fours years, but STILL. I've only had her say 'bloody' and 'wanker' a few times. She says 'thanks' as 'thanks'. It's supposed to be 'cheers'! Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:06:34 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537695 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537695 callmeIndigo I am resigned to my characters turning British at random moments. I am helpless to prevent it. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:07:49 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537731 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537731 rehtse I struggle with this as well. Especially the use of "bloody" . I don't know what it is about it. It's just my go to insult/curse. ^_^ Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:17:23 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537998 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_537998 PhantomDream I don't know why I keep using it! I suppose it just doesn't sound as bad as the insults I hear a lot, although they're supposed to be insults, so I don't know why I want them to sound less bad. Even so, I keep using 'bloody' to replace 'stupid' and 'damn' and anything else you might use in America. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:29:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_538310 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_538310 Liza (Loves You) It seems like in every story, one character of the other says "Bloody 'ell!" Even this random dragon. Like seriously. She's a DRAGON. Fortunately, no random British words have found their way into my current NaNoWriMo. xD Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:34:20 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540087 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540087 MCHoffman2692 I keep refraining from typing down my British terminology, I'm trying to save it all when I actually have a British character in my book. She won't be showing up for a while, but I have the strongest urge to make my MC talk completely in British terms. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:45:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540374 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540374 Chasing the Horizon Lol, I thought I was the only American who did this. I blame it on having British friends and reading a whole lot of British books. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:52:26 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540563 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_540563 madelinehayes Instead of cookie my main character said "biscuit." I wanted to tell him, "Use all the fancy words you want. That doesn't change the fact you're a worthless piece of debris in a trashy town." With his biscuits, he shall rule the world. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:22:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_541254 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_541254 buhbyebirdie The first three chapters of my American novel set in the 1920s read like everyone teleported there immediately following the war of 1812. I am going to have some serious editing problems when this is over. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:24:26 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_541306 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_541306 lost_limey I feel your pain. As a Brit who's been living in America for 8 years, I keep finding Americanisms slipping into British characters and Britishisms sneaking into American characters. It's going to become a pain as I have a German character I've explicitly identified as being undercover as an American, a New Yorker in fact, and I have to work hard not to fall into British speech patterns. Fortunately, he seems like he'll be more of a minor character and the other characters reacting to him and the actions he's covertly taking will be the meat of my interactions... Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:49:08 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_543274 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_543274 manning_chase Happens to me all the time. I think it's an overdose of Harry Potter and Doctor Who. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:03:42 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546015 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546015 Lisa.Vail That comment made me burst out laughing at my desk. My co-workers are just eyeing me up, like 'what the hell you mentally diseased child?' (Oh, I'm british by the way, which is why the use of the word biscuit seems perfectly normal to me.) Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:56:06 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546450 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546450 Lisa.Vail I actually AM british, but I found myself writing diaglogue yesterday using the words 'sheesh' and 'jeez'. I've never even MET an American (exception of Vic Mignogna), so how the heck have I picked up phrases?! Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:59:49 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546475 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546475 xemmawhyx haha, I'm English and I do the opposite; except for one character that is Irish, it is so Americanized- even though it is 18th century England in the middle of nowhere. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:09:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546534 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546534 xemmawhyx I say thanks as thanks, and I'm English ;) If you're writing about the North of England you could do "cheers mate" and stuff - if you are type in Geordie dialect words or for 'down South' try Cockney rhyming slang :D Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:11:32 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546548 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546548 xemmawhyx I am English, and I don't use stuff like "bloody" ever, only probably said it a few times in my life and I'm sure once was a satire ;) Although my last novel was very... British. Not like real English,Scottish,Irish or Welsh characters but that exaggerated view of it. Reminds me of Lily Allen's song LDN lol. Anyway, I am starting to write with American spellings- color etc and it's doing my head in. It's probably because on my new laptop you cant' change the spellchecker language and I hate all the little red squiggly lines :P Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:14:16 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546570 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_546570 Antoine My novel is set in America in 1812, but for some reason the carriage driver and his wife speak in cockney English accents. Maybe they're immigrants. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:20:17 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_553517 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_553517 the-lonely-angel My MMC is based on David Tennant, who is a British actor most famous for his portrayal of the lead in the quintessential English television program Doctor Who. So I've got at least one character who is intentionally using recognizably British phrases and slang, such as bloody and bloke and blimey and such. The MMC's romantic interest has picked up a Cockney accent somewhere along the way. My FMC has decided she wants to look and act like Karen Gillan. My villain just informed me that he's a John Simm doppelganger. I have another character who reminds me somewhat of Benedict Cumberbatch. So I've got more or less a fully British/Whovian cast. This is going to be so much fun to write. >8D Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:29:06 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_553746 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_553746 Victoria Nonpraeda I actually have a reason for my American MMC to sound British - my story's set in the early 19th century, when the American accent was still, for all intents and purposes, English. HA-HA! *cackle of triumph* Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:42:48 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554057 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554057 Shinyfox Happens to me a lot. So... so much. I'm currently blaming it on the fact that I watched three seasons of Doctor Who in two weeks or less. And the fact that I watch Torchwood before bed... and Sherlock... *faceplant* Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:48:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554199 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554199 the-lonely-angel Wooo! =D Steven Moffat/Doctor Who in general is the reason that all my characters have spontaneously decided to be British. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:51:11 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554268 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_554268 supersinger473 I don't think my british character is british enough, screw you america and your lack of education on british slang! Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:58:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_573234 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_573234 the-lonely-angel If you watch Doctor Who or Sherlock, you should get a pretty good grip on British slang and colloquialisms. ;D Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:03:01 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574108 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574108 Yume Nezumi I had a dream one night that some woman at work was talking in Cockney rhyming slang... I'm American, never been to England, and never heard anyone actually talking like that except to make fun of the dialect. Completely forgot about it until right now. XD Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:24:55 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574461 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574461 Yume Nezumi Speaking of Doctor Who, your avatar, whyyyyy, whhhhyyyyy......... Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:35:02 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574636 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574636 Emilypemily I'm British and I use a lot of colloquialisms and obscure words in everyday conversation. My book is set in Britain too and I'm deliberately going to use my kind of fun language. At least a couple of my characters are going to be as weird as me when it comes to unusual words and phrases. Some examples of weird stuff I say: chuffed brill! gutted! bugger eejit/gormless/twit/twerp skew-wiff/wonky/squiffy sorted! blimey yon/yonder 'twixt/twain thy/thee/si'thee/tara and other yorkshire-isms ain't/fink/you're 'avin' a larf, and other cockney-isms I've picked up off my partner I also occasionally use Welsh words I've learnt off my Dad, like - pechod/bach/cariad Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:45:32 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574806 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_574806 Halo2 I have the opposite problem. I'm English but write fanfiction (yes, I admit it...) in a US fandom, so find that odd words creep in every now and then. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:58:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_575067 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_575067 oceansong99 My MMC has started to speak like Sean Connery in my head.... "Aye lassie" keeps getting deleted to be replaced with "Yes, Kitten." Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:02:36 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575141 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575141 Elinde Same! I've never met an American; I've never been to America and I don't watch much American TV now My Name Is Earl has left E4 but I still use American terminology on the occasion. I think it's because everyone around me uses americanisms. One of my best friends says 'gotten' instead of 'got' and someone else says 'baysk' rather than 'barsk/bask'. I glare at them :¬ P Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:05:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_575202 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_575202 Bessie_Boo I have to Americanis(z)e myself constantly at work and so I don't even want to read how many Americanisms are in my British character's dialogue... I have an American character so hopefully I can sort out the Americanisms and the Britishisms and divide them all neatly but right now I have these weird characters who don't know where they come from! lift....elevator holiday... vacation bin... trashcan rubbish... trash chips... fries crisps... chips football... soccer mum.... mom (I've never gone so far as to use this, she's my mummy!) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:15:12 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575362 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575362 Miikaan I spell things the british way (colour, favourite, etc.) and it gets on my teacher's nerves. I don't even know why I do it, either; I'm not British, but I just do. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:16:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575378 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575378 oceansong99 I blame Paddington Bear for my British spellings... I've finally trained myself out of most of them. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:19:04 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575426 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_575426 Iago Grey I avoided this problem by being born British and then forcing my characters to do the same. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:57:11 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_576112 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_576112 WileJ I realized a large chunk of my numerous cast has taken on characteristics of Downton Abbey characters. My FMC's father is Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham when he's getting all protective of her. Then other times he's this weird Sherlock Holmes off shoot. Likewise, I'm pretty sure my MMC is a thinly disguised version of Matthew Crawley and my FMC's aunt is a much younger version of Violet... So basically what's happened is that when they start talking to each other there's this weird interplay between propriety and sarcasm that is affecting both their mannerisms and speech patterns including their vocabulary, which, when looked at closely, is probably still more Americanised than it should be. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:56:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577197 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577197 WileJ I still throw the letter 'u' into some words and automatically change 'z' to 's' when I'm taking notes in a hurry after spending a semester in England and, for whatever reason, getting into the habit of copying notes precisely from what was presented to me. Spell check hates it when I do that. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:58:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577233 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577233 lifelessmind I'm American and work for a British company, so I actually kind of speak like a Brit some times.. surprisingly, not a lot of it has bled into my writing yet, though I do know that I've said "lift" and "queue" at least once in there. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:15:39 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577547 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_577547 rehtse To me it just sounds like a more intelligent insult. :P Maybe that's why? Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:37:54 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_926523 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_926523 S O L A R O S E I don't really know why, but I spell a lot of things the British was (adding in a u, s instead of z). Maybe because I read books from everywhere, but most books in English are from America, Britain, or Australia, so... Also, I went to Australia. I've been told that I come off as a seventeen-year-old Brit on the internet. I take this as a compliment, as I am none too fond of America. Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:50:18 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_927134 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_927134 S O L A R O S E I use about half of these words at least once in a while. (._.) Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:50:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_927135 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_927135 unicorn27 I'm British, but the piece I wrote is set in an unspecified location. So I had to work really hard to make sure it was devoid of any terminology, slang, colloquialisms, etc. that might tie either the setting or the characters to any specific location. I would hope the only thing that would give it away as British, as apposed to anywhere else, is the spelling. Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:53:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931272 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931272 Tetrinity Heh. I definitely have this problem, in both directions no less. I'm British, by the way. As a matter of principle, I always set anything I write in a fictional universe. I prefer the freedom of choosing my own place names, brands, companies and the like, plus I can blow up an entire city or make fun of a celebrity with no fear of repercussions. My current novel is set on a planet that might as well be Earth (in perhaps 50-100 years time), but for all intents and purposes, it is not Earth. So why is it that all of my characters use British slang? Why do they mix American and English terms together, like using "sofa" rather than "couch" while also using "hood" rather than "bonnet"? Why does one character obviously hail from Japan when Japan does not even exist in this world? Why does this character still do all of the above despite this apparent Japanese background? Really, when I go back over this for the second draft, I should remove these mixups. I'm sorely tempted to leave them all in, though. XD Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:12:34 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931596 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931596 BloodRoseAngel I'm fortunate that I actually am British, because it gives me an excuse for my characters continuously shouting "Bloody hell!" and the like. XD People have even told me online when reading short stories I've written that they can tell I'm British from the way I write. o_o Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:10:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931719 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931719 BloodRoseAngel Do they really not have the word 'queue' in America? o_o Because someone I talked to online once said she got a lot of blank looks when she happened to mention queues when she was in the US. I know other countries don't queue like we do, but still ;) Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:11:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931720 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931720 BloodRoseAngel That said, I just got a new laptop and for some reason MS Word will not stay on English (UK) for the language setting. It keeps putting squiggly red lines every time I write 'realise' or 'travelling' or something. Oddly enough, Google Chrome, which used to highlight my UK spellings, doesn't do it any more! Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:14:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931726 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_931726 CousinJenny It really needs someone from the US to confirm this, but I think the US term is to stand in line. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:13:19 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937472 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937472 Taekwondodo I'm British and my characters are British but my MC's son still wants to call her mom. NO! She is MUM!!! Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:00:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937660 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937660 Silhouette. Yes, that's it exactly. In fact, I think most Americans don't know how to pronounce "queue." I do know how, but I still have to think about it for a moment. Too... many... vowels! Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:26:54 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937766 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_937766 bobo_the_bard I think part of it is that I read way too many British books and watched way too much British comedy/other British television, like Doctor Who. It's slipped into my written language! It doesn't help that half my ideas and characters were inspired by Doctor Who and the Doctor, respectively, either. And then when I decide to go 19th century, the setting is always in pseudo-London, rather than Victorian America. =P Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:08:36 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_940484 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_940484 Rainy I'm from America, but I didn't realize that "queue" is not a common word in the States. Me, my family, and my friends; we all use it. Of course, we're mostly avid readers, but come on. It's my favorite word.... I can just imagine people trying to pronounce it, though. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:42:36 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_942875 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_942875 PhantomDream I used to spell everything the British way. I blame Neopets. Now, everything's American except faerie. Fairy just seems weird to me. I'm going to be spelling it faerie for the rest of my life, probably. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:44:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_945409 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_945409 fuzz So apparently we all talk like Brits here. That makes sense history-wise. We just say the same stuff with a more lazy accent :D Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:10:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_945835 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_945835 Spuggey Um... I say 'thanks'... A lot of British people do. I don't think I've ever said 'cheers' unless I'm toasting something! Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:58:45 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_946006 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_946006 Spuggey See, I'm british and I sometimes get the 's/z' thing muddled up! Do any of us know which dialect we're in anymore? Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:02:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946012 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946012 Spuggey That's a shame because it's a fantastic word. I mean, anything with a vowel string like 'ueue' needs respect! I'm also surprised to learn that the word isn't well known in the US. I never knew that! Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:04:10 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946014 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946014 Spuggey That's like my world... :D Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:05:08 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946015 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_946015 Kyaerin I love your.. icon thing (: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:17:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_963076 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_963076 aftersh0cks I have this problem as well. It usually happens more after I watch Harry Potter, Doctor Who or Torchwood. Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:47:45 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_964238 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_964238 Angryman For me, it's too much Monty Python. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:36:23 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_965024 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_965024 Angryman There's nothing wrong with calling something bloody. 'Tis a bloody fine addition to one's cursing, it is. Yes, I'm an American that loves the term 'bloody.' Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:38:04 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_965028 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_965028 The_Quillmaster I thought it was pretty common. The spelling though! It's pronounced "kew", but it looks like "Qu-ew-eh!" <- Try to pronounce that there, I dare you. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:25:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_967592 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_967592 The_Quillmaster Forgot to add I'm American born and bred. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:25:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_967595 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_967595 violetgateway I don't have to worry about it to much. New Zealand, the country I live in, as I have found so far seems to have a fair bit of similar slang. I am always saying bloody hell and other british slang that I consider to be New Zealand slang. Also I mostly set my stories in New Zealand unless the story is in a fantasy setting. Also so far any foreign characters I've had seem to be from the UK and I have family over in Ireland and from Scotland who can help me out. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:36:43 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_968715 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_968715 Angryman Oh, and the insult "wanker." Every time I hear it, I think about the Leverage pilot episode, the part of how Nate and Sophie knew each other. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:16:52 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_978547 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_978547 Saspirilla I have an inter-British problem. My posh English characters keep slipping into Scots. Frustrating! The leading lady (who isn't English, or Scottish, in fact, she's not even Human) keeps slipping into Americanisms. It's driving me up the wall! Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:48:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_980353 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_980353 Poolpaw I'm offended. Lol. We don't say "Bloody" often. And I say Elevator. I'm actually very American, though... *Confused* I've got no American blood. Lived in England all my life. *Very confused* Yet I have an American accent, and say American words. I annoy my parents! (I've never even been to America...) Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:57:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980375 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980375 Poolpaw I'm Southern... I never ever ever say anything in Cockney slang -_- Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:58:49 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980379 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980379 Poolpaw Wait... That would be because I talk American... LOL Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:59:13 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980380 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_980380 Kiwikarma7 Me too. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:09:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1037845 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1037845 Alice Rocker Ah, yes. I've given up trying to stop putting 'u's in colour and favourite despite living in the midwest United States. I've also given up trying not to talk at least slightly British at times. Because, after all, switching into a British accent at random intervals is entirely too much fun. ^^ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:26:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1037895 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1037895 Angryman That would imply I actually HAVE AN ACCENT OF SOME SORT! Seriously, I can't even fake an accent! Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:34:36 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1038866 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1038866 Angryman Lucky New Zealander. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:35:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1038867 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1038867 Alice Majella I don't think 'faerie' is a Britishism, as such. I think it's more of a I-didn't-want-you-to-imagine-those-little-sparkly-things-with-wings-ism. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:59:37 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1040991 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1040991 Andrew_Hennin I have designed my MC to ce of two different personalities. One is a modern american, and one is a proud british man. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:44:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049091 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049091 Andrew_Hennin That 'ce' was supposed to be 'be'. sorry. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:45:00 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049093 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049093 Itzika That's what I think EVERY TIME I see that avatar. While scrolling past very quickly. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:07:50 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1049163 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1049163 Itzika Unless you're from New York, in which case it's stand *on* line. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:11:04 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049164 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049164 Itzika Then I hope you never mention what your characters wear on their legs. Or mention them using the necessary. Or have them throw anything away. Or use any of those other words that appear every day that differ between countries. If you managed all that, congratulations. Really. I'm impressed. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:14:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049165 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1049165 OxymoronicEpilogue I have not yet done this, despite lots of Doctor Who and Harry Potter (and Merlin!), but I'm reading this thread and wondering what American 'accent' some of you people are talking about! I don't have an accent (I actually live in the part of NY that newscasters in the US go to to learn how to talk without an accent), but there are tons of American accents! Just in NY there's a Long Island accent, a Brooklyn accent, a Buffalo accent (Buffalo covers most of Western NY). That's not even getting into the other 49 states! :D However, not using Britishisms in my writing doesn't manage to stop me from, on occasion, using a high pitched and poorly attempted British accent frequently while explaining what the other person is saying. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:41:18 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1053794 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1053794 Angryman Technically, it's a dialect (but it's simpler to just call it an accent). And something I've heard a while back is that people in the Northwest are supposed to be less likely to have any accent in their speech than any other part of the U.S. Again, I can't even fake an accent and make it somewhat believable. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:45:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1054102 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1054102 DimiTheDominator I don't do this in my novels - but in my academic essays - and I'm from RUSSIA and grew up in the US. Makes no sense, right? Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:35:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1097238 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1097238 Red Queen Distinguishing between British and American English is the worst thing you could do to me^^ During my time at school, I had four different English teachers. Two preferred British, one American, and one didn't care. And guess what - I'm still struggling with consciously sticking to one or the other, mainly because I usually watch TV shows in their original language, absorbing everything equally. Currently, that means American with NCIS and Bones, British with Doctor Who, and just about everything with Torchwood. Doesn't really help me to figure out how to finally stick to ONE kind of English. Brilliant. Just... brilliant. It's much like when I grew up in Rhineland-Palatinate (part of Germany), where we have this horrible-yet-funny dialect, and after starting school I had to find out which of the words and constructions I used were proper German and which were dialect. Some of my classmates even do this today... Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:02:49 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1097666 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1097666 written_dreams I'm British, so I don't have that problem, thankfully. :) I haven't had too much of a problem with writing Americanisms either, though lately I keep wanting to write "sidewalk" when the word I really want is "pavement". I also have a lot of trouble with the word grey- I can never remember which spelling comes from which country :P Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:33:11 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1098034 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1098034 Angryman Gray, grey, it's all the same thing. I've given up on trying to separate the two. It's a miracle that I haven't just started writing it graey or greay. Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:35:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1098188 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1098188 Red Queen I try to remember that grAy is from America, while they use grEy in England... I love mnemonics^^ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:58:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1099804 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1099804 Earthsick Well, the English taught at the schools in my country is british. Lol, the internet, lots of awesome tv shows and movies and a ton of fabulous but american books kind of deformed my vocabulary so I'm using words and stuff that is a mix between everything I know because hence, I don't care as long as you get what I mean. Still bothers me that schools around here are so strict. Even in my English class for my Higher School Certificate (gosh, this takes so long) they tried using British English only. Which is ridiculous btw. Also, writing vocabulary lists with translations. I swear that most of the english words I know I can't tell a translation right away, but instead explain what it means because I don't have to translate anything in my head. (Plus, I always hate it when my father asks me to translate English words for him because asdlfasjdfk I'm not a walking dictionary, just because I know the meaning of a word, especially in context.) It's a bit easier the other way around when I try translating things from my native language into English. But I rarely do that. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:24:50 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1104967 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1104967 Hellsmedic My character is old-school Irish (as in a 230 year old vampire) who is very american-ized but when he gets upset he tends to slip up and swear in Gaelic. A LOT. And so I had to do a LOT of research for that-practically teach myself Connacht and that SUCKED-and trying to learn the differences between the dialects is HARD. SUPER HARD. I've seriously contemplated shelling out the cash (alas, tho, I'm super poor, even with two jobs) for a Gaelic course. I have this paralyzing fear that somewhere in Mayo someone'll get a copy of my novel or whatever and go THATS NOT REAL GAELIC YOU DIDNT STUDY SUPER RAGE FACE. But then I just tell myself, ah, screw it. It's a fantasy world setting anyway. If I say it's real Gaelic damnit it's close enough! XD Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:56:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138541 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138541 CalicoRain I inadvertently switch back and forth between American English & British slang, both in my stories and in real life. I blame it on my mom's parents - their grandparents immigrated to America from England so they grew up hearing British slang...Then my mom worked with some British nurses and it triggered some repressed memories or something so she began using British slang again. (She'd been referring to her mom as "mum" for years.) I guess it all got in my head. >.< Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:51:10 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138727 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138727 Angryman Okay, one more guilty pleasure: I feel that cops should arrive at every scene saying "What's all this then?" I'm a Monty Python/Discworld nerd. Does it show? Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:26:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1138767 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1138767 Angryman Okay, random thought ran through my head, since we're on the subject of British English (if that makes sense): There was an episode of The Muppet Show where Sam the Eagle was having (or trying to have) an interview with Spike Milligan. Spike comes on with all this gibberish. Sam, offeneded, says, "You do not speak the Queen's English!" Spike replies, "Why should I? She doesn't speak mine." Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:32:14 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138776 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1138776 MurillionBlue I've had to force my characters not to use 'bloody' as a swear word far too often (well, it's more resist the temptation to let them use it, but you get the idea). The worst three offenders are a genderless being known as the Narrator, an anthropomorphic gryphon, and an elf princess. None of which come from the Solar System, let alone England. I generally use British spelling, since I grew up in New Zealand, but some words I'm just going to use the Kiwi dialect (eg 'footpath' instead of 'sidewalk' or 'pavement'; 'jandal' instead of 'thong' [Australia] or 'flip-flop' [American]) since it's what I grew up with. Interesting note: despite learning the British spelling for words, I didn't know how to spell 'grey'/'gray' in the version I preferred until recently. Probably because of Piers Anthony, whose books I've been reading for nearly ten years now. Curse you, American authors, for confusing me for at least half my life! Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:14:54 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1167096 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1167096 crazygirl9310 My nano this year is set in Colorado which is where my best friend is from so everytime I wanted to use a phrase that was normal for me (be it American or British, half the time I can't tell) I ran it by him first to make sure he knew what it meant. Recently I've been getting really annoyed with people who complain about Microsoft Word changing the way they spell stuff from British to American because I learned how to switch the editing language from English (US) to English (UK)...and then spent at leas thalf an hour throwing words into a document to see how it would be corrected and laughing my butt off in absolute glee. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:19:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1182670 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1182670 Arya Svit-Kona My story isn't even set in our world! It's set in a fantasy world, and I'm popping in British words everywhere! Mostly 'bloody' though since I find using actual swear words kind of awkward and 'damn' just seems too Earthian. Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:55:24 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1186330 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1186330 Arya Svit-Kona I have the opposite problem. I'm American, born in America, lived in America, never left America. Yet I have a British accent that is apparently so obvious that I've lost count of the number of people who have asked if I'm British. Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:57:45 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1186333 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1186333 Chai Maya Yup, same here. I've grown up addicted to Harry Potter, and this year I discovered the joys of Dr Who (and online dictionaries of British terms and insults), so I find myself doing strange British things despite my American upbringing ... Once I accidentally picked up Rose Tyler's habit and left a 'T' sound out of something I said aloud. And last night, in frustration, I penned a letter to one of my secondary characters in which I called him a sod. I may need professional help. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:18:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194365 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194365 Chai Maya * not Rose's habit. I meant her accent - South London, I think. Oops! Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:18:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194368 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194368 Spuggey That's funny... I'm English and I say 'damn' all the time. And bloody actually. I use both. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:28:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194478 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194478 Spuggey Yeah! Biscuits aren't fancy! Not to us anyhow. :) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:28:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194482 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194482 Spuggey Summat and nowt. I use those a lot, and I'm from London, so I have no idea why. :S Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:30:16 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194486 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1194486 Spuggey Everyone has an accent. Trust me, I'm a linguist. (One too lazy to give a long explanation.) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:31:46 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194490 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194490 Spuggey Thanks! And by the way, in the sofa/couch debate... What happened to the word 'Setee' I used to use that a lot. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:35:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194499 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194499 Spuggey EVERYONE HAS AN ACCENT. Sorry. :P Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:37:06 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194502 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1194502 Spuggey I'm English, from London. I use words from Northern dialects sometimes, without thinking. I also *sometimes* use American terms in speech. But, more bizarrely, I sometimes swear in German despite only having been there twice and not knowing the language (apart from some swear words). This is involuntary and a bit odd. :S Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:40:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1194509 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1194509 Angryman I just remembered that I have a gang of Brits in one of my story. I guess I'm going to have a lot of research on British slang to do. Advantage: this story takes place seven hundred years in the future. I can make up some of the slang for it. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:38:20 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1194881 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1194881 ceri-desu There is no such thing as too much Monty Python. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:52:59 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219093 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219093 ceri-desu Your icon amuses me greatly. :D Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:03:08 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219115 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219115 Angryman Fair enough. And the same applies to Top Gear. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't affect me in odd ways... Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:59:01 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219398 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1219398 ceri-desu I am terribly afflicted with this. ^^; I'm American, but I write fanfiction for a British fandom (Sherlock Holmes), so odd Britishisms creep into my speech, like spelling "realised" with an s and "colour" with a u. I also say things like "flat" instead of "apartment" and refer to the device with which I send text messages as a "mobile". Sat, 17 Mar 2012 22:36:15 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1219493 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/nanowrimo-ate-my-soul/threads/28063?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1219493