Posted on1 September 2012
The importance of localising your document – Americanisation and American English
American English – Americanisation? That’s a thing? Yes! You may think that the differences between British and American English are very subtle but often these differences can cause confusion.
It is often worthwhile establishing whether your audience / the recipients of your document would prefer British or American terminology, as although many US terms may be understood by a British person and vice versa, others may impose a barrier and time may need to be spent on further explanations/clarifications.
See also https://www.atlas-translations.co.uk/services/americanisation/
Some examples of these differences to demonstrate Americanisation and American English are:
UK |
US |
| bank holiday | legal holiday |
| Fortnight | two weeks |
| Ordinary/extraordinary general meeting (of the shareholders) | regular/special shareholders’ meeting |
| (memorandum and) articles of association | (articles of incorporation and) bylaws |
| profit and loss account | income statement |
| Chairman | President/Chairman |
| managing director | chief executive officer |
| estate agent | realtor |
| bureau de change | currency exchange |
| Property | real estate |
| post code | zip code |
| Prison | Penitentiary |
| stand (for office) | run (for office) |
| unit trust | mutual fund |
| Cheque | Check |
| current account |
checking account |
