In Australia we could easily be forgiven for writing software license because if you pick up a software package, or read any software licence, invariably the spelling is license. The problem is this is the American spelling and the spelling is incorrect in Australia. It should be software licence.
I have to admit it frustrates me no end to attend seminars and presentations by software companies and to see the spelling software license displayed in the PowerPoint presentation, even though the presentation has been localised by an Australian.
You would think if a company respected their clients they’d adjust the spelling to suit the country they are marketing to. The message I get is the customer doesn’t matter. We’re just here to consume the product.
So next time you see the spelling software license chuckle to yourself. It is their error and not yours.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.justlocal.com.au/clients/oooau
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Software licence or license
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That is a ridiculous conclusion to make Kelvin, that because of a single letter in the spelling, you think that they don't care about the audience or customer. I think it is even more ridiculous that there are two different spellings for many Australian vs American words.. absolutely means nothing significant, regardless of which spelling is used!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteAt a personal level if someone spells correctly or not isn't much of a concern. At a business level it tells you quite a lot more than you might think.
At a minimum poor spelling can be an indication that further checking is required.
Imagine if you were to use Australian English spelling and try to sell something to Americans. I'd think they'd notice pretty quickly something wasn't quite right. Try submitting an academic paper and it will be rejected.
The spelling differences matter at times, but at other times they don't matter at all. It is just a matter of picking the right times.
Kelvin
I see your point - sometimes it is more significant than others. I just think at times people can be overly and unnecessarily pedantic. On a different but related note - I came across an interesting article by a local (Brisbane) Professor of Linguistics, on English/American variations, specifically refuting the claim that American's are ruining the English language: http://fifthcolumnistblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/the-americans-are-ruining-our-language/#more-68
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Allan
Thanks Allan for the reference to Rob's article. For me the issue I tend to have is with software which is generally from America, but not always. The software has American spelling and to me that simply makes it harder for Australians.
DeleteIf you see a spelling often enough you'll end up believing it to be correct. For example most modern spellcheckers correct "spellcheck" to be the two words "spell check" and this is incorrect. The spelling is the single word "spellcheck". This occurs so frequently that people everywhere now believe the spelling to be "spell check". An error in the design of software has resulted in many people now spelling "spell check" incorrectly.
Spelling is already difficult enough, but when I read articles in Australian newspapers, attend seminars by Microsoft in Australia, use software and repeatedly see American spelling, I just feel things could be a little easier for everyone.
As to ruining the language I just read the word OK turns 174 today and is a word we have adopted from America. "Our" language will and does change.
As to calling it "our language" and describing that as "repugnantly colonial", I felt this was a bit emotive. We all use the term "our" in everyday life. If I say "our family went to the movies" it doesn't mean I own our family but to me, it means more of a grouping. Of course we could probably argue over the use and meaning of the language forever.
Thanks for the link.
Kelvin