just how much do you assimilate?

[vatic]

Right now I was showing Stu my personal statement for my teaching credential application, and he said that since I'm applying to an English university, I might want to Anglicise the spelling

Comments

[rapier]

I wouldn't sweat Anglicizing your speech or writing. Let whatever transition occur as naturally as you can.

I work with Australians and Britons (and, incidentally, South Asians who learned British English) all the time, and they work with Americans as much as they work with their own countrymen. They don't bother to Americanize their language, and I don't change my language to suit them. It rarely causes confusion.

The most notable instance of confusion I saw was an Aussie telling me via e-mail he needed something done by "12/11/06." Being an American, I took this to mean December 11. Of course, he meant November 12. Needless to say, stuff happened late. Oh, it's funny now, but not so funny then.

Context and clear communication would have probably prevented that unfortunate mishap, and you're aware enough of the differences between American and British English to avoid those pitfalls when you can. I imagine as you live over there, your language will change to fit theirs, but I wouldn't force it.

[ashowen]

Well all I can say is, as a brit, using Z's where there should be S's and dropping U's out of words really annoys me :D

Thing is I reckon give it 5-10 years and no-one will remember the difference anyway and everything will be typed in binary/hexadecimal or something. =D

[amygooglegirl]

I think it depends on the context. If you're just chatting with friends, don't bother. But if you're writing something important, like for instance a job application, you should make the effort. It will look more professional (more "standard"), and it will look good that you made the effort to adapt.

Which Uni are you applying to?

[vatic]

Yeah, I figured for job applications and the like I would conform since it is the standard. For some reason, since I've been working on my personal statement, it hadn't really occurred to me to Anglicize it up until Stu suggested I do so.

I'm applying to MMU, University of Manchester, and maybe some random one like University of Chester just in case.

[ultramanx51]

Being from the South (kinda), and a military town to boot, I've had the distinct (mis)fortune of hearing all sorts of accents, and I've gotta say,it gets confusing. (the whole "soda" v. "coke" v. "pop" thing in the same town gets really, really annoying after a while).

My guess would be to ask a coordinator which would win more brownie points, and move from there. I figure, they're bound to know about the program in depth and can provide the inside scoop for you, and then once you're there just go on and speak Brit. I have noticed though, that your body doesn't really forget, and travelling back and forth between the two places won't affect your speech for too long and you'll adapt easily

Hopefully that was a coherent comment. Apologies if it wasn't.