We have a client that wants us to write in British to their clients in the UK and Europe instead of American.

Have you heard of any translation websites or software we could use?

Thank you,
Marianne

No, can't say that I have but if they're happy to pay I am happy to convert - it is, however, extremely easy. One needs only to remember to spell words like 'colour' and 'through' correctly, and recall that the correct spelling is 'grey' and not 'gray' [big grin]

Quite seriously, however, surely this is something of a non-problem? I'm quite serious about being happy to help - all proceeds would then go to fuelling the boilers of this community...

John

Sounds like one of the few examples where software may actually have a chance of doing it more or less correctly.

It's only a thought, but could you not process the files with a British version of a Spellchecker. Of course you would have to cut down on the use of "slang" terms, but the spell checker should highlight these anyway.

all the best

DaveC

One needs to watch the tendency to incorrectly suffix words eg. burglarized or juristictionization etc ie. create a new lenghty word where a satisfactory (and shorter) word previously exists or do a Dan Quayle. Paventments, sidewalks, boots and trunks are another. In fact whatever you do, dont think like Don Qualye. Jon Colshaw(ll?) ( a Brit) does it to hilarious effect on TV at the moment.

I agree with John this is a non-Question, scanning and overall comprehension are issues that I doubt a machine can address, humans are far superior in this respect but then I'm biased I'm one of them!

Our client is of the opinion that their customers will be more comfortable with our technicians if they type in 'British'. Myself, I don't believe it makes a difference. In technical conversations, how often will I be typing pavenment and aluminium anyway?

I found many American-British dictionaries and guides, but no actually translation software. I found a website that purportedly translates English to Cockney and Irish (could be a joke), but of course that isn't what I'm looking for.

The spellchecker might help, but they need to be able to go from responding in American to American customers, to responding in British to British customers.

I'm curious now: How often do you have to stop and re-read my posts because my American English is difficult to understand?

Thanks!
Marianne

Not so often : )

- just a thought, but why don't you have a look at a few UK websites aimed at UL audiences in whatever field; that may give you an idea....

Or feel free to post or ccvmail me a sample letter and I'll gladly give you my view

Z

I was looking some more into the American-British translations and I noticed this one... Is it true:
In American In British
billion=thousand million billion=million million

I found it here:
http://www.accomodata.co.uk/amlish.htm

Thanks!
MM

That used to be the case, [sarcasm on] but here in English English land we have bowed down to the new comers [/sarcasm off] and adopted their value. Makes people sound richer I suppose.

Marianne,

This looks an interesting piece of software that may do the trick.

http://www.babeling.com/accueil_en.html

I found it here

http://www.effingpot.com/

Using the appropriate spell-checker is probably the cheapest way.
And if anyone in your organiZation (organiSation) has spent time in both places then they should be able to easily make the conversion.

Thanks,
Steve Howell
showell@telegenisys.com
925.825.1122

p.s. Cannot speak for the UK population but most people in the US could care less if text or speech is sprinkled with UK spellings etc...

Now what I know of the British is the fact that they are sticklers for correct spelling ("whats the right word Jeeves"). And the other thing is the fact that, I think, more than the spellings, its syntax that is appreciably more different twixt the twain (so to speak).

Just my two penneth (aka two cents worth) but if the 'client' makes sure that they truely understand the messages they receive (by checking with the customer) are not the answers they deliver going to be fine? As reasonably intelligent beings symantics count for very little. In my experience ones 'language' only becomes an issue when the answer is unclear because teh original question was not understood... Look how often we can communicate when one person speaks say Chinese and one English. I know it's (nearly forgot the apostrophe) slightly cynical but reliance on a software package for your communication effectiveness worries the hell out of me...

David