Where in the world are you from?

[Crone]

I ticked UK - I live in Canterbury, Kent, now and probably permanently. But I was born in Atlanta, Ga. USA.

[Giovanna Clairval]

Hi!
Born in Italy, on the beautiful Lake of Come (thirty kilometres away from the Swiss border), I have been living in Paris for several years, and I have double nationality, but I consider myself an Mitteleuropean Italian.

What the hell are you brits doing out of Europe?

Is it because you want to leave us 46 pollers out there all alone, or is it just to win against the guys who live on the other side of the pond and leave the "u" out of the words that really need it?

[HardScienceFan]

hey there are Dutch people here,too

[Giovanna Clairval]

Why the reaction?

Do you Dutch guys leave the "u" out the words that are entitled to it as well?

Is that Double Dutch?

Or did you mean that Britannia is at war against Holland too?

[HardScienceFan]

no no of course not
I thought you meant the UK was so dominant here.
I am the most voluminous poster from the Low Countries

[Sephiroth]

I'm not British, I'm Scottish.

[Giovanna Clairval]

Hey, Scot, those who see colours in the world shall be saved!

For the others, a poll is under way.

I'll explain the reason why this question of the u is so crucial to me.

My American editor (not a publishing editor, for now) wants to correct the whole spelling of my (190 000 words) F novel to americanize it, because, in his opinion, the funny British spelling is tiring for the American reader, and, apparently, the publishers impose a "translation".

There's been another thread about this. It just wanted to explain my ferocious defense of Original English spelling.

One of my characters says: 'Dinna fash yersel!' Is that correct, Scottish friend?

[scalem X]

Most voluminous poster. I think not Ben Marky is still some ahead.

[Leisha]

My American editor (not a publishing editor, for now) wants to correct the whole spelling of my (190 000 words) F novel to americanize it, because, in his opinion, the funny British spelling is tiring for the American reader, and, apparently, the publishers impose a "translation".

There's been another thread about this. It just wanted to explain my ferocious defense of Original English spelling.

And so you should! There's just something very wrong about not using the u. Personally I think the American's like the English, so wouldn't they prefer the book to be more "authentic", English spelling an' all?

[Giovanna Clairval]

And I didn't mean to transform the "c" of defence into "s" either...

Er... "defense" is French... uh...

This is completely in the thread, innit?

[chrispenycate]

Alors, "couleur" avec deux "u" c'est encore plus anglais, n'est ce pas?
Ce n'est pas tous les rosbifs qui se cachent sur lear île.
And yes, I do maintain my supplementary "u"s (or should that be use them?)
Within the thead? I drag the fil d'Ariadne behind me as I traverse the labyrinth of Chronicles.
And salute you, since, from french you obviously can't introduce yourself.

[Giovanna Clairval]

And salute you, since, from french you obviously can't introduce yourself.

From french whaaat?

Explain, prithee, o Helvetian Brit,
Oh, thou, o mighty knight,
Who prowl your mountains in the night
and kill with sword and wit.

[Sephiroth]

One of my characters says: 'Dinna fash yersel!' Is that correct, Scottish friend?

Spot on. 'Don't worry yourself!'. It's quite old-fashioned, but you'll still hear people say it, though normally (in the cities at least) with a humorous emphasis, recognising () its antiquated sound.

A lot of the old Scots has fallen into disuse in favour of broader contemporary colloquialisms from elsewhere, but the modern dialects of the cities, towns and regions are still very distinct.

[Giovanna Clairval]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Spot on. 'Don't worry yourself!'. It's quite old-fashioned, but you'll still hear people say it, though normally (in the cities at least) with a humorous emphasis, recognising () its antiquated sound.

Thank you Scottish Sephiroth!

The character who says "Dinna fash yersel" is a Hyperborean (about 40,000 years old) who affects speaking Scottish Gaelic when he's not upset (he falls back into Standard Latin otherwise). I guess the old age justifies the use...

I read that "fash" comes from the French "fâche" and "fâcher" (being mad at someone/something). It's the Normans' fault, this French corruption of pure Anglo/Celtic speech.
It's funny how the meaning has changed.

Yeah. You're right about "s" vs "z". It's my American editor's fault.

[Anomander]

Huh. What's your opinion about Aluminium? I used to have long, intense discussions with my other half about the pronounciation of that word, until I realised that they (Americans) pronounced it wrong because they spelt it wrong!!!