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British English vs. American English: Spelling issues and beyond

by Simi Peddicord

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 09, 2008

Simply put, my language training started with strict rules of the English language, involving British ways, and I was so proud of that, for many years (not knowing British vs. American, just correct Enlish). As I grew older I realized I conformed to the ways of my friends, through passing notes in class, etecetera, and became lazy with my English skills I had been so proud of.

I still avoid most texting lingos, even when texting (it's why I have unlimited texting, for the most part). As time drifts farther away from my school days, I see my skills dwindled, considerably. I feel using too many texting lingos, too often makes one forget the simplest of grammar rules. I don't want to be lazy; but find myself on the opposite extreme, trying to compensate for the laziness I'm avoiding, and becoming way too overwhelming.

This needs to be fixed, for me to feel like an efective writer. When writing for formal reasons, I do tend to buckle down and take the time to do it correctly, for the most part. But, as my school years passed by, I saw the rules changing to totally different formats. This leaves me confused as to how I should write a resume, anymore. Who knows the old rules; who knows the new rules; and, which one will be reading my resume, expecting just that?

It's a continuing struggle. No one is perfect. But, we must strive to perfect ourselves for the sake of enrichment, mind building and maintenance. But, where do I stop being intricate ; and, where do I start simplifying, without dumbing myself or others down?

It's something that hits me everytime I read the classics; or, when someone who doesn't grasp correct English, misinterprets what I have to say, because my writing was too complex, when I thought I was quite clear. I need to work on simplifying myself, I've noticed.

So many people, who are supposed to be the expert, have such varying opinions about what is right and what is wrong, some are bound to completely disagree with others, while the rest of us in the middle are wondering.. "What the heck?". I just do my own thing and write my own way, knowing full well, no expert is going to be completely happy with my writing, unless it's a project for their class, and I'm following their rules. The last writing classes I took were Creative Writing, in high school. So, when I had essay assignments in massage school, I wrote my way, and they didn't complain. It wasn't an English class, or writing class; it was a massage class. And, I got the point across with my way of writing. That's what mattered.

Most of us have a long road to correct grammatics, even (or especially), some of us who thought we still had it down.

Learn more about this author, Simi Peddicord.
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