American English v. English English

[daisymay]

Not at all sure where to post this... but, I do a lot of writing and try to keep the English acceptably neutral. Not always possible, even with help of dictionaries.
Current problem - someone getting beaten... We (UK) say 'beaten up'. I've seen US people say 'beaten down'. Anyone clarify for me? Thanks.

 

[GregNickRyanFan]

Usually, I hear other Americans say "beaten up". I think "beaten down" is mostly just slang or something. :shrug:

 

[Jacquie]

My English is more English influenced but as a Country we get our TV from the States. That being said we use 'beaten up' here as opposed to beaten down.

 

[Speedystokesgirl]

Here in the U.S. it's 'beaten up'. Beaten down is a hip-hop, hood, gang, slang thing.

 

[NickyFan]

Well... English is just that... English, at least for me :lol:

I wish I could even tell any difference between English English and American English... English isn't my first language and so I'm pretty sure I use both English' styles without even knowing which one I use when :guffaw:

As for the 'beaten up' thing... I only know 'beaten up' in fact... the other phrase is new to me.

 

[Raynn]

My English is more English influenced but as a Country we get our TV from the States. That being said we use 'beaten up' here as opposed to beaten down.

Canadian English is mixed up. :lol: Half the time, I don't even know if we're using American or English.

 

[Ducky]

Well... English is just that... English, at least for me :lol:

I wish I could even tell any difference between English English and American English... English isn't my first language and so I'm pretty sure I use both English' styles without even knowing which one I use when .

I try to use English English as much as I can for example humour (US humor), neighbour ( US neighbor) then it's all tyre/tire gray/grey thingie that I always forget which one is for US and which one for the UK

At school we are taught English-English, but US English has so big influenece so at Upper Secondary School our English teacher said, pick one and stick with it. Don't use American term there and British term here. I think their worst problem was to get people not to write "wanna" "gonna" :lol: :lol:

Ah best memory from JFK Airport (My mom speaks English, tho not so well) and the pass control dude asked if we are on vacation and mom said "no, on holiday" and I just said "mom...those are the same thing"
...she'd been all upset if I didn't let her talk.

 

[Raynn]

At school we are taught English-English, but US English has so big influenece so at Upper Secondary School our English teacher said, pick one and stick with it. Don't use American term there and British term here.

Mix and match, and tell them you're using "Canadian English."

 

[daisymay]

Thanks for your replies, folks. It's not something that bothers me a lot - I know I watch a lot of US TV, so the influence is strong. Spelling - not a problem - my UK spelling is good, and my spellchecker is US, so flags up errors. That's OK. It's more 'usage' when I'm writing. If I'm writing a US story, I don't want UK anomalies in it. Some things are obvious, and some I have trouble with. You've solved one. My other one is words for the buttocks, in casual conversation, I mean. Something slightly less rude than arse (ass). We (UK) use 'backside', but in US that means the whole of the back, doesn't it? I can get round this. The other one I came upon the other day, was words for being very tired. In the UK, I might use 'shattered', 'whacked', 'knocked out'... but US I'm not sure. Don't want any implication of drink/drugs - just tired!

 

[Jacquie]

My English is more English influenced but as a Country we get our TV from the States. That being said we use 'beaten up' here as opposed to beaten down.

Canadian English is mixed up. :lol: Half the time, I don't even know if we're using American or English.

It certainly is. I went to school in an era when you learned the English version of spelling hence favoUrite, humoUr, grEy and such. They are so ingrained in me that I don't think I could change. Now a days with so mcuh of the online media using American spellings I don't think it matters which is a shame.

My other one is words for the buttocks, in casual conversation, I mean. Something slightly less rude than arse (ass). We (UK) use 'backside', but in US that means the whole of the back, doesn't it? I can get round this. The other one I came upon the other day, was words for being very tired. In the UK, I might use 'shattered', 'whacked', 'knocked out'... but US I'm not sure. Don't want any implication of drink/drugs - just tired!

For buttocks I think it would depend on how you're wanting to use the term. If you're wanting to say the person is sitting on their 'buttocks' all day then I would say 'ass'. As to just saying he or she has a nice 'ass' and you're not wanting to be crude I'd say they have a nice backside. Again this is more my Canadian English side as opposed to American English TV side.

And as for very tired you could say they're wiped out.

 

[daisymay]

And as for very tired you could say they're wiped out.

'Wiped out' fits very well. Thank you!


BTW, I've frequently had comments from people who say all of this doesn't matter. If we understand each other, what the hell? It's just that first, I like language, and second (and this applies to fanfic more than anything), if I find a jarring note in a story, it puts me right off it. Am I being too fussy? (Probably!!)

 

[Smokey]

And as for very tired you could say they're wiped out.

'Wiped out' fits very well. Thank you!


BTW, I've frequently had comments from people who say all of this doesn't matter. If we understand each other, what the hell? It's just that first, I like language, and second (and this applies to fanfic more than anything), if I find a jarring note in a story, it puts me right off it. Am I being too fussy? (Probably!!)

This might actually be a good topic for the Fan Fiction thread.

 

[Raynn]

BTW, I've frequently had comments from people who say all of this doesn't matter. If we understand each other, what the hell? It's just that first, I like language, and second (and this applies to fanfic more than anything), if I find a jarring note in a story, it puts me right off it. Am I being too fussy? (Probably!!)

I agree - I find it quite distracting to see language that doesn't fit the setting.

For 'buttocks' you could also consider 'butt.' As Jacquie said, depends on context too.

 

[Jacquie]

And as for very tired you could say they're wiped out.

'Wiped out' fits very well. Thank you!


BTW, I've frequently had comments from people who say all of this doesn't matter. If we understand each other, what the hell? It's just that first, I like language, and second (and this applies to fanfic more than anything), if I find a jarring note in a story, it puts me right off it. Am I being too fussy? (Probably!!)

This might actually be a good topic for the Fan Fiction thread.

yes it may Smokey but for now it can stay in the Mics Forum

 

[Smokey]

'Wiped out' fits very well. Thank you!


BTW, I've frequently had comments from people who say all of this doesn't matter. If we understand each other, what the hell? It's just that first, I like language, and second (and this applies to fanfic more than anything), if I find a jarring note in a story, it puts me right off it. Am I being too fussy? (Probably!!)

This might actually be a good topic for the Fan Fiction thread.

yes it may Smokey but for now it can stay in the Mics Forum

Yeah...just thought she might get more input from the writers over there if that's what she's looking for.