American Spelling

charlottestar · American Spelling

Am I the only person who's annoyed by American spelling in books in English editions? I was just thinking that publishers usually change English spelling for American editions of books but they don't do it vice-versa. They don't change American spelling for English editions and I find that annoying.

For example I'm reading an American novel The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff in the English edition but the spelling is still American.
Yet when you think about English books which are changed to suit the American market (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became HP and the Sorcerer's stone or Northern Lights changed to The Golden Compass). It's just a personal rant and not that important I just find it annoying. I want to read colour, favourite, and neighbour with the U in

blueflower

I once stopped reading a book because of the way Westmorland was spelt. I was born in the County of Westmorland and lived in Westmorland until it was changed to Cumbria. In old books and maps it is spelt Westmorland and only rarely do you find it spelt Westmoreland. I hate Westmoreland - not sure why- and the book I was reading was set in the Lakes in the early 1900's and Westmorland was spelt without the 'e' then and I was so annoyed with the author I gave up on the book.

A silly reason to give up on a book but once you notice something it can be hard to ignore it and it spoils the book.

Karen

I'm with you Charlotte, I hate to read the American spellings in UK books. I lived in the US for a couple of years and was quite happy to read it their way when I bought the book there, but for books I buy here I expect it to be in "proper" English and I frequently get iritated because it's not.

You mentioned Harry Potter, and we bought the first 4 books while we lived Stateside. I noticed more than just basic spelling changes in those books - for instance in describing someones hairstyle where we would say someone had a fringe an American would say bangs - these sorts of changes were in the American versions of HP as well as the usual spelling changes.

I get where you are coming from too Gwen, I have been known to have those moments and it just can't be helped. If something drives you mad it drives you mad and no amount of common sense can make it go away!