English v. English

[mikz]

Title
English v. English

Short, concise description of the idea
The language drop-down box is confusing. Instead of 'English' and 'English (US)', the options are 'English' and 'English (UK)'. Since U.S. English is the most deviant form of English, the latter is clearer.

Full description of the ideaI will not enter into any petty flamewar over which

Comments

[mordyn4]

You mean the former is clearer?

How about English (US) and English (UK)?

[ex_uniquewo]

Now this is clearer...

+1

[mooism]

+1

[azurelunatic]

I wonder if "English (US)" and "English (Commonwealth)" would be clearer yet, although I have not done sufficient research to attempt to see whether there are problems with that second description. However, there are countries that are not part of the United Kingdom that use English closer to that found in the UK in preference to US English.

[thelovebug]

I agree with this. Most software installers that identify different versions of English usually use the descriptions 'English (US)' and 'English (International)'

So definitely +1.

Re: +1

[mikz]

I'm totally cool with 'English (US)' and 'English (international)'. Not so cool with 'English (Commonwealth)'; there countries that have English as an official language and aren't part of the Commonwealth. I believe South Africa is an example. Definitely Botswana.

Re: +1

[turlough]

+1

Re: +1

[harrywells]

oh, this.
+1

[nostariel]

I'm sure there are just as few differences between U.K. English and Canadian English

I lol'd.

+1 for 'English (US)' and 'English (International)' though.

[mikz]

Thanks for enlightening me-I must say I've always had a hard time finding an authoritative source of Canadian standards. Even 'what's the correct date format for en_CA' seems to get mixed answers.

Maybe we need three options?

[nostariel]

I'm not sure there is an authoritative source on Canadian linguistic standards. I think Fraser from due South summed it up best: "In Canada, we have more than a passing familiarity with confusion. We're comprised of 10 provinces and 2 territories communicating across 6 time zones in 2 official languages. The English don't understand the French, the French don't understand the English, and the Inuit quite frankly couldn't give a damn about either of them. Added to the equation is the Assembly of First Nations, with a total of 633 separate Indian bands speaking 180 sub-dialects among their 50 linguistic groups. And as if that weren't enough, there are some fisherman on the east coast with a remarkably whimsical accent..."
Letting them choose between (International) and (U.S.) seems simpler than trying to pin down the differences between Canadian English vs. UK/International English vs. US English.

[azurelunatic]

Does LJ even offer English in a Canadian translation?

[7rin]

If we're gonna go with it, I prefer English (UK) over English (Int.), but then that's more than likely to do with me being a Brit. *shrug*