Top 10 tips for talking to transatlantic colleagues

With the amount of American English now being used in the UK in films, television programmes and music and on the internet, it's no wonder even some native Brits get confused when it comes to using their own language.

If, like us, you're proud to be British, have you thought about how your choice of English may affect the messages your business communications are sending?

If integral Britishness is a core part of your business, making sure you stick to British English could help to reinforce your brand and your reputation.

We've put together a few reminders of commonly confused terms and phrases – read them just for fun or use them to help strengthen your business writing…

1. Staying luckyWhen Brits want to make sure they don't jinx something they will 'touch wood'; in America they 'knock on wood'.

2. Clear sighted Confused Brits can't see the 'wood for the trees', but over in the States they can't see the 'forest for the trees'.

3.Getting political: In Britain, political candidates 'stand for election', while in the US, they 'run for office'.

4. Money mattersIn finance, Americans will refer to 'revenue' or 'sales' where Brits will talk about 'turnover'.

5. Going somewhere?

Brits only very rarely use the word 'transportation', instead preferring 'transport' when talking about travelling around.

Americans, however, use 'transportation' as a noun or adjective and would usually only use 'transport' as a verb.

6. Quite a quote

One not to get wrong is 'quite'.

To an American 'quite' means very, but to us Brits it means 'somewhat'.

In business, describe your company as 'quite good' and Americans will be lining up at your door but the Brits will move right on to your competitors.

Make sure you get this one quite right!

7. Up for discussion?

A moot point in Britain is one that is open to discussion, but across the Atlantic the discussion has already been declared pointless.

8. Straight talk

Make sure you don't offend when describing someone.

The Cambridge British English dictionary defines 'homely' as 'plain or ordinary but pleasant'.

In America, however, the term is used to mean someone is ugly.

9. Time it rightTelling the time might sound like something you learn as a child, but put a Brit and an American in the same room and even that might not go well.

The 24-hour clock, while common in British communication, is confusing to most Americans, and while 'half eight' in Britain means half past eight, to many non-Brits it means half way to eight – or seven thirty.

10. Half way there

On a similar note, while an American might refer to a half hour, a Brit will always say half an hour.

What do you think? Have you tripped up by making the wrong choice or are there any more terms you think we should include? Let us know your thoughts.

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