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Can I use UK English/US English interchangeably?

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I use harbour, colour, asymmetric instead of uneven, and say zed instead of Z. I imagine different spellings would be marked as spelling errors on anything official in the USA but in day to day conversation is it weird for me to say Zed X Spectrum instead of ZX Spectrum?
 
I use harbour, colour, asymmetric instead of uneven, and say zed instead of Z. I imagine different spellings would be marked as spelling errors on anything official in the USA but in day to day conversation is it weird for me to say Zed X Spectrum instead of ZX Spectrum?

I use Canadian english which is essentially British English and US english interchangeably all the time. These days why would it be weird when you have people say dumb stuff like 'yasssssss queen slay' and all kinds of illegible phrases. No one ever bats an eye if you write 'I saw Rogue One in theatres and reslly loved the colors'.
 
What country are you in OP? Zed is not recognized in the US so that is weird if you use it in the US
 
If you say Zed, people will assume you're Canadian.

So long as you avoid using the words Celsius and meter, no one will know you're from the UK.

Oh, and don't get into a kettle vs microwave debate. Remember, in America, the microwave is the only way to heat up water. *nods*
 
Depends. You could probably get away with something like "colour" But you'll get blank stares if you throw out Zed. That's not a thing in the US, like at all.
 
I use harbour, colour, asymmetric instead of uneven, and say zed instead of Z. I imagine different spellings would be marked as spelling errors on anything official in the USA but in day to day conversation is it weird for me to say Zed X Spectrum instead of ZX Spectrum?

Zed is fine because it's radical.

It's an "ex", though, not a cross. That one won't fly. And for that matter, an "oh", not a naught.
 
If you say Zed, people will assume you're Canadian.

So long as you avoid using the words Celsius and meter, no one will know you're from the UK.

Oh, and don't get into a kettle vs microwave debate. Remember, in America, the microwave is the only way to heat up water. *nods*

Don't know a single person in Canada or the US or anywhere who uses a microwave to heat water. Everyone either boils in a pot, a kettle or in electric machines, coffee makers, etc.
 
Depends. You could probably get away with something like "colour" But you'll get blank stares if you throw out Zed. That's not a thing in the US, like at all.

Most people are able to understand the context of A - Zed, or Zed X Spectrum to know what you're talking about.
 
Nissan Zed X or Nissan Zee X. which sounds cooler? British way. Speccy's english so I'd always go for Zed X Spectrum.

I use British spelling though and Australian pronunciation unless auto-correct fucks me over.

Just don't use the old school british way of counting to a billion (1000 million)
 
Nissan Zed X or Nissan Zee X. which sounds cooler? British way. Speccy's english so I'd always go for Zed X Spectrum.

I use British spelling though and Australian pronunciation unless auto-correct fucks me over.

Just don't use the old school british way of counting to a billion (1000 million)

That's not the old school British way, the old way was a million million. 1000 million is the modern way.
 
I sure hope so. My English is the bastard child of German British English education and American English pop culture consumption.
 
Don't know a single person in Canada or the US or anywhere who uses a microwave to heat water. Everyone either boils in a pot, a kettle or in electric machines, coffee makers, etc.

Lies. All lies. The microwave is the fastest way to heat up a cup of water.

Might run into some issues with the whole fag vs cigarette thing.

Along those lines, avoid the word oriental unless you're talking about a rug.
 
Whatever suits you man, I could care less.

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If you are writing something formal, stick to one style (preferably in the style of the target audience). Otherwise? Who cares really?
 
Sounds like Canada, for the most part.

The only thing that confuses me is that I can never remember if I'm supposed to use grey or gray.

Maths and aluminium, however, I will never say.
 
I went to a British school so I have all my base there but I do mix spellings and that's pretty iffy

My biggest pet peeve is the pronunciation of neither.
 
I use harbour, colour, asymmetric instead of uneven, and say zed instead of Z. I imagine different spellings would be marked as spelling errors on anything official in the USA but in day to day conversation is it weird for me to say Zed X Spectrum instead of ZX Spectrum?

Most of those, people recognize.
Also asymmetric isn't a word unique to British English....

Zed would probably surprise me, but meh. It'd be weird usage.
 
I say Clerks (pronounced the american way) for the film, because thats what Kevin Smith called it, even though it's pronounced Clark over here in the UK
 
Day to day conversation is fine. However, do not mix up your spelling in professional writing such as your client or academic work and job applications.

I use British spelling.
 
Go with your heart, I guess. Just know that people are going to question your spelling unless it's the word "grey/gray" and wonder why you are saying zed instead of zee in America. Also, asymmetric instead of uneven doesn't really count; you're just using an equally valid synonym.

Holier-than-thou British people who are planning on shitting on American English as if modern British English is somehow more "pure" can also go ahead and fuck right off.
 
Just use whatever variant you prefer unless you're being graded or some shit. AFAIK, BBC has adopted a lot of US systems (with regard to how they refer to a company) so w/e

I prefer learnt over learned ~ and aluminium over aluminum, but I like to use Mom over Mum.

Whatever suits you man, I could care less.

*stabs*
 
I'm pretty sure people will still understand what you're saying even with the complication of that extra u.
 
there are a lot of phrases and words that many Americans won't understand. they're just not common for a lot of people. there are also variations Americans will think sound strange/wrong including some prepositions in certain places (eg. "at the weekend").

if it's around younger folk who watch British shows and stuff you'll be fine.
 
I use harbour, colour, asymmetric instead of uneven, and say zed instead of Z. I imagine different spellings would be marked as spelling errors on anything official in the USA but in day to day conversation is it weird for me to say Zed X Spectrum instead of ZX Spectrum?


Born in Dallas, lived in Texas all my life, both parents are from the states and I say Zed-X Spectrum.

The machine was built in the UK and calling it Zee-X Spectrum just sounds wrong.

I don't use this line of logic on everything, but when it comes to the Spectrum I make an exception.
 
Here in Canada it's pretty much the norm to use both interchangeably. We're supposed to use British spelling but dat American influence.

For what it's worth, I think American spelling is better. Those random "U"s do nothing aside from prop up some kind of pride against America.
 
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