Topic: British English versus American English

What’s wrong with the following paragraph from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x33z8nzpo?

The day was extraordinary in its normalcy, given the chaos of four years before. Harris stood at the front of the US House chamber with a sombre expression as lawmakers read out each state's election results before formally declaring their authenticity.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams

2 (edited by Ali 2025-01-07 11:54:30)

Re: British English versus American English

'Normalcy' is not a British English word. 'Normality' would have been my chosen word. Was it written by a US journalist working for the BBC?

Re: British English versus American English

That’s exactly what I wondered, Ali. But then, why ‘sombre’ rather than ‘somber’?

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams

Re: British English versus American English

Because the journalist in question is aware of some Britishisms, but not others? And it’s not a spelling difference, it’s a different word.

5 (edited by GB Yesterday 07:33:31)

Re: British English versus American English

What’s wrong with the following paragraph from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x33z8nzpo?

The day was extraordinary in its normalcy, given the chaos of four years before. Harris stood at the front of the US House chamber with a sombre expression as lawmakers read out each state's election results before formally declaring their authenticity.

Ambiguity. Who or what is declared authentic? The ambiguity would not exist if the word "results" had been singular, as it could well have been - there was only one election (of the Electoral College) in each state. Of course, had it been singular, it would be the lawmakers being declared authentic, probably not what is intended!

Otherwise nothing, or nothing much.

Fowler's has an interesting entry on "normalcy".

Apparently "normalcy", "normality" and "normalness" all entered the language in the middle of the 19th century. Even the word "normal" did not acquire its present meaning until about 1840. Before then, since 17th century, it just referred to rectangles and perpendiculars.

As far as "normalcy" is concerned, its use in British English is "rare (and disliked)", but in North America, especially USA, it is the more frequent form. In Indian and East Asian English "normalcy" is, as it were, the norm.

"Normalness" has not caught on anywhere.

Another point: How can something "extraordinary" be "normal"?

See also https://english.stackexchange.com/quest … -ridiculed

Re: British English versus American English

Alfred wrote:

why ‘sombre’ rather than ‘somber’?

Ali wrote:

it’s not a spelling difference, it’s a different word

Really? What do you think ‘somber’ means, Ali?

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams

Re: British English versus American English

GB wrote:

"Normalness" has not caught on anywhere.

I’m not surprised!

GB wrote:

Another point: How can something "extraordinary" be "normal"?

Not just another point, Geoff, but a very good one, too! I would have said “remarkable” rather than “extraordinary”.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams

8 (edited by Ali Yesterday 12:25:33)

Re: British English versus American English

Really? What do you think ‘somber’ means, Ali?

You misunderstood: sombre and somber are the same word with different (British v. US) spellings. Normalcy and normality might have the same meaning, but they are not the same word.

My point was that whoever wrote the piece, if they are American, may be aware of the British spelling of certain words, but not so au fait with vocabulary usage/preferences. Does this make sense now?

Re: British English versus American English

Ali wrote:

Really? What do you think ‘somber’ means, Ali?

You misunderstood: sombre and somber are the same word with different (British v. US) spellings. Normalcy and normality might have the same meaning, but they are not the same word.

My point was that whoever wrote the piece, if they are American, may be aware of the British spelling of certain words, but not so au fait with vocabulary usage/preferences. Does this make sense now?

Thanks, Ali. That does indeed make perfect sense! I had thought you were responding to my question

Alfred wrote:

But then, why ‘sombre’ rather than ‘somber’?

rather than your question (echoed by me) about whether the word ‘normalcy' was used instead of 'normality' because the piece was written by a US journalist working for the BBC.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams