I wanted to ask what opinion's people have about the version of English you do your writing in, British or American? I personally don't give it too much thought when I'm doing a piece of work, but as I'm working through my rewrites I was wondering if it would be wise to do versions with both English and American spelling and punctuation, because I might send a work to an American publisher and then to an English one? Apart from the varied grammatical rules, just off the top of my head I can think of these alternative spellings. analyze - analyse apologize - apologise behavior - behaviour canceling - cancelling center - centre check - cheque color - colour encyclopedia - encyclopaedia favorite - favourite fiber - fibre fulfill - fulfil gray - grey humor - humour labor - labour license - licence jewelry - jewellery theater - theatre
I'm an American. I did have British teachers when I lived in Iran, and one of them was my English teacher. She accepted American spellings but used British spellings herself. Writing or speaking British English would feel like an affectation to me, so I stay with the American variant; I think "grey" is the only word I still spell like a Brit.
They are two major dialects of English, and you should stick to the one that you are publishing to. Generally, that means the one you are more adept in. Mixing them in the same piece is generally a bad idea. However, I can see the point of using the "other" dialect in dialogue. I don't believe you can hear the spelling difference, but it could legitimately be argued that the spelling difference reminds the reader which dialect (and accordingly, the accent) the speaker is using. So if you can be consistent and accurate with switching in dialogue, kudos. Now, to put in my moderator hat: There will be NO debate in this thread (or on this site!) as to which is better!
I agree with sticking to your own guns as they say, but I personally base my spelling on the setting of the novel I will be using it in. For example, you wouldn't use Brit spelling in a westerner. Just kind of seems out of place there, unless there happens to be a British man or woman. In that case, the spelling difference would be used to show difference in culture and add more dept in context of the characters. I suppose all in all, it more about what you prefer when you are writing.
whichever you use, be consistent and consider your target market... if i'm writing for american readers/publishers, i use american spelling/idioms when writing for uk/commonwealth readers, i use british
Born American, but I use the British spellings, mainly because my stories are located in Britain and Scotland. Regionally and historically, it is accurate. The conversation with my prof over the issue was interesting to say the least. I was informed that I was too much of a geek for my own good, but I got my way. The British spellings stayed. Stay true to the regions and the historical time frame. It lends a lot to a story, a special hint of something, many often overlook. Just my thoughts. - Darkkin
It doesn't work like that. A UK publisher is likely to want British spellings for a Western, a US publisher is likely to want US spellings in a period drama set in Britain. It's the market, not the genre, that decides it.
Sticking to the region where you're going to publish is a good idea. It also helps to let people know where you come from too. I know of this self published author , whose also from Canada ( like me ) who gets some backlash over spelling 'mistakes' from American readers.
If you are naming a specific encyclopedia or encyclopaedia, then use that one to refer to it by name as it is technically a typo in most MLA guidelines. Encyclopædia Britannica, not Encyclopedia Britannica. Applies as well to Iranica. The reason? It is the identifying and specific name and it is thus the preferred name. Also this comes up with corporation names like the HongKong Banks. Even though it would be a typo for HongKong' it is proper because it is the name of the company. With that out of the way, other spellings can be regionally set or fixed if need be through a filter in later editing if desired. Most publishers should recognize the legitimate different spellings and not be troubled by them; if they want that addressed then it can be addressed then. If you are so inclined, note it for them in advance so they are aware that you are aware of it and will act in accordance to a partial house style or preference.
