Comments on: Divided By Our Common Language

By: Jude

Jude — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:27:57 +0000

I admit that I really dislike seeing the word ‘Mom’ for ‘Mum’ on British blogs – whenever I read the word ‘Mom’ I hear an American drawl in my head, which doesn’t suit a British blog. After all, the different spellings do represent the different pronunciations of the word in two different parts of the world. At least (being northern) ‘Mum’ with a strong ‘u’ sound reflects the pronunciation in my part of the world, which ‘Mom’ certainly doesn’t. I don’t mind diversification. Like regional accents and dialect, the differences make the world a more interesting place, even if it’s more troublesome for editors!

By: glowstars

glowstars — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:27:35 +0000

I’m so used to reading US/Canadian blogs that I don’t bat an eyelid when those different spellings and words are used. In fact, as the husband learned US English well before we’d ever met, I’m used to them being used in conversation at home too. In fact, I should probably even admit to having picked some up myself.

By: Take Good Care of Yourself Mom « The Survival Guide for Rookie Moms

Take Good Care of Yourself Mom « The Survival Guide for Rookie Moms — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:56:18 +0000

[...] Divided By Our Common Language [...]

By: Pippa

Pippa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:39:37 +0000

Its the difference that make it so great!

I am 100% an English Mum, but belong to a Church which I think of as American (I’m LDS), spend most of my time talking to American’s/Canadian’s and can no longer tell the difference between an English accent and American accent in TV programmes!

So you are excused, as long as you will allow me to occasionally slip into borrowed Americanisms…

By: angelsandurchinsblog

angelsandurchinsblog — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:54:43 +0000

Vive la difference, as they may or may not say in France! And I don’t think it’s just the spelling. Mum says something so different to me than Mom. The latter makes me think of cookies and apple pie (too much Brady Bunch as a child; I lived abroad for a while), crazy trick or treat decorations and candy. I have a Kiwi sister in law and it makes me laugh each time when she talks about ‘chups’ instead of ‘chips’!

By: Aly

Aly — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:29:54 +0000

I’m an English mum and were quite accustomed to it.Many of the telly programmes her are American and I have never given it another thought.I was brought up on Sesame Street.We actually thought American kids could only count up to 12 because of the pinball sequence they showed.