blamebrampton (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
blamebrampton) wrote2011-01-08 04:37 pm
blamebrampton) wrote2011-01-08 04:37 pm
A case in point ...
So, there we were, having a chat on a friend's LJ about the differences between the US and the UK for purposes of a self-Britpicking list, with participants from both sides of the pond and beyond and frequent diversions into baiting and comedy from all sides, and apparently it has become a source of Flocked Drama.
Consider the argument very carefully: At least one American is very upset that British people prefer to be depicted in accurate ways.
And if you can't see why that's a bit dodgy, replace the word British with any other nationality.
I don't want to overstate the case, because really, it doesn't culturally oppress us the way that some other cultures have been oppressed by this sort of thing, since we don't deeply care and we had an Empire first. And while the original source of the complaint is a preference, it's certainly not a sine qua non, and we read heaps of stuff that gets us wrong, and some of it is good and some is crap, and really, at the end of the day we still pronounce and spell aluminium in ways that are scientifically logical, which in itself is enough. But, honestly ...
Interestingly, one of my points of difference was a tendency to soap-opera-like over-reactions in fiction. Clearly I drew the line too narrowly.
AND I left off the fact that it the entire United States has been the subject of mass-brainwashing to accept caffeinated flavoured beverages as coffee. Though I see Starbucks has dropped the word from their logo, truth in advertising at last!
Consider the argument very carefully: At least one American is very upset that British people prefer to be depicted in accurate ways.
And if you can't see why that's a bit dodgy, replace the word British with any other nationality.
I don't want to overstate the case, because really, it doesn't culturally oppress us the way that some other cultures have been oppressed by this sort of thing, since we don't deeply care and we had an Empire first. And while the original source of the complaint is a preference, it's certainly not a sine qua non, and we read heaps of stuff that gets us wrong, and some of it is good and some is crap, and really, at the end of the day we still pronounce and spell aluminium in ways that are scientifically logical, which in itself is enough. But, honestly ...
Interestingly, one of my points of difference was a tendency to soap-opera-like over-reactions in fiction. Clearly I drew the line too narrowly.
AND I left off the fact that it the entire United States has been the subject of mass-brainwashing to accept caffeinated flavoured beverages as coffee. Though I see Starbucks has dropped the word from their logo, truth in advertising at last!
no subject
And yes, you are very right about proscription and prescription being inherently problematic, as the Great Sleepy Underpants Debate of 2011 shows. I think that a Britpick is a good idea, but I don't think it is the essential requirement for a good Potter fic, as history and my reading preferences show! And slack-cutting (another great phrase ;-)) should be essential!
As always, I remain unfussed about American spellings and the like, and although I will sometimes find myself unconvinced by things in stories -- going on a date, for example -- it's very easy to read past that for a good story. But I do find it outrageous that a discussion of difference is read as ghastly mean Brits. That's my line and I am drawing it!
no subject
I'm never quite warm to the dating concept myself too, and I am American! :P—though, strictly speaking, I carried a British passport for 2/3 of my life :D.
I don't see any ghastly mean Brits anywhere on my flist either; as I said, I enjoyed it and had a good time following the post :D. But yeah, I can understand why some people may be upset....generalizing yet again, I confess, but it's not common for Americans to bring up a discussion of this nature without at least a few "I don't intend this to be personal or an attack on one's intelligence / skills" and "I still love you all the same!" disclaimers and assurances tagged in place; this, I suspect, is part of the US vs UK cultural package as well. :)