Question:
So international is the internet that many websites offer details in
more than one language - most usually in German, French and English.
These are normally approached via a flag.
And here comes my gripe. Am I alone in finding it offensive when the
English language is signalled not by the British flag but by the
American? As far as boardgame sites are concerned you will find it on
the Adam Spielt and on the Ystari site - possibly others. And to
dispel any misunderstanding, I assure you my grouse certainly isn't
down to any anti-American feeling on my part. It's simply that the
English language is the language of ENGLAND - however many others may
have adopted it. Give us credit for that, at least!
Answer:
I thought about this when I began my own website. I really wanted to keep it
British English but I quickly decided that it wasn't worth the effort. The
only justification I could find was that this was the "tradition" that I was
brought up with, whereas I could find several reasons for "going American":
The flag stands out more clearly than Union Jack in that tiny size and I am
being exposed to far greater doses of the American language than the
British. So I took the easy way out and decided to flow with the majority
instead of trying to be the keeper of something which is ultimately of
interest to the British people only.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Submit Your
Own Answer!
