Am currently translating text for a website on NGOs from French to English. The word organisation appears constantly so I just wanted to know if there is a standard use of British English or American English amongst the NGOs. Should I be using' organisation' which being a Brit I tend to do or should I go with 'organization' à l'American. I know that both versions are wiidely accepted but would appreciate some advice from Glocal members currently working for NGOs.
Global Forums > General > Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Only members can see names and photos
Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
May 21, 2014 @ 12:00
The text you are quoting:
Am currently translating text for a website on NGOs from French to English. The word organisation appears constantly so I just wanted to know if there is a standard use of British English or American English amongst the NGOs. Should I be using' organisation' which being a Brit I tend to do or should I go with 'organization' à l'American. I know that both versions are wiidely accepted but would appreciate some advice from Glocal members currently working for NGOs.
delseta9_May 21, 2014 @ 12:00
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 1
May 21, 2014 @ 12:35
Here is a good one...the World Health Organization (US spelling) officially uses British english.
The text you are quoting:
Here is a good one...the World Health Organization (US spelling) officially uses British english.
smoore4, May 21, 2014 @ 12:35
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 2
May 21, 2014 @ 12:51
As it bloody should.
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 3
May 21, 2014 @ 13:53
In the UN system “organization” is so spelt with the exception of the International Labour Organisation which was set up right after WWI when the “s” spelling was still in fashion in the UK – a fashion which, incidentally, is said to have been launched by King Edward VII’s fascination with France and all things French, hence, for example, the abbreviation “No.” for “number”. Before then, “organization” had been spelt with a “z”.
For an entertaining article on this vexed question, see Fowler’s classic “The King’s English”, originally published in (if my memory serves me rightly) 1926.
Off-.hand, I can’t remember what Sir Ernest Gowers, who wrote the classic “Plain English” for the British Civil Service at the end of WWII, had to say on the subject, but I can confirm that throughoutmy own career in UN and NG organizations my colleagues and I always used “z”.
Hope this is of some help, and best wishes,
R.
The text you are quoting:
In the UN system “organization” is so spelt with the exception of the International Labour Organisation which was set up right after WWI when the “s” spelling was still in fashion in the UK – a fashion which, incidentally, is said to have been launched by King Edward VII’s fascination with France and all things French, hence, for example, the abbreviation “No.” for “number”. Before then, “organization” had been spelt with a “z”.
For an entertaining article on this vexed question, see Fowler’s classic “The King’s English”, originally published in (if my memory serves me rightly) 1926.
Off-.hand, I can’t remember what Sir Ernest Gowers, who wrote the classic “Plain English” for the British Civil Service at the end of WWII, had to say on the subject, but I can confirm that throughoutmy own career in UN and NG organizations my colleagues and I always used “z”.
Hope this is of some help, and best wishes,
R.
Ritchie, May 21, 2014 @ 13:53
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 4
May 23, 2014 @ 18:56
Ah, the perennial favo(u)rite :) Many NGOs will have their own internal policy, with the WHO's style guide among the most popular guidelines. Unfortunately, target market doesn't really come into play most of the time. I once spent a couple of days re-program*m*ing a German-English translation targeted at a US audience. Go figure! Long story short: if in doubt, ask (your client, in this case).
HTH
Mike
The text you are quoting:
Ah, the perennial favo(u)rite :) Many NGOs will have their own internal policy, with the WHO's style guide among the most popular guidelines. Unfortunately, target market doesn't really come into play most of the time. I once spent a couple of days re-program*m*ing a German-English translation targeted at a US audience. Go figure! Long story short: if in doubt, ask (your client, in this case).
HTH
Mike
rmike, May 23, 2014 @ 18:56
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 5
May 23, 2014 @ 19:19
Ah, yes, the WHO style guide.
Can’t be many still around who remember its birth pangs.
The text you are quoting:
Ah, yes, the WHO style guide.
Can’t be many still around who remember its birth pangs.
Ritchie, May 23, 2014 @ 19:19
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Do NGOs use British English or American English for their working documents?
Post 6
May 23, 2014 @ 21:37
In the UN system “organization” is so spelt with the exception of the International Labour Organisation which was set up right after WWI when the “s” spelling was still in fashion in the UK – a fashion which, incidentally, is said to have been launched by King Edward VII’s fascination with France and all things French, hence, for example, the abbreviation “No.” for “number”. Before then, “organization” had been spelt with a “z”.
For an entertaining article on this vexed question, see Fowler’s classic “The King’s English”, originally published in (if my memory serves me rightly) 1926.
Off-.hand, I can’t remember what Sir Ernest Gowers, who wrote the classic “Plain English” for the British Civil Service at the end of WWII, had to say on the subject, but I can confirm that throughoutmy own career in UN and NG organizations my colleagues and I always used “z”.
Hope this is of some help, and best wishes,
R.
May 21, 14 13:53
Thank you Ritchie, your post is so interesting. I had no idea that the Brits used to spell orgnisation with a Z before Edward VII stepped in and led the way to spelling it with a z. Fascinating stuff.
The text you are quoting:
Thank you Ritchie, your post is so interesting. I had no idea that the Brits used to spell orgnisation with a Z before Edward VII stepped in and led the way to spelling it with a z. Fascinating stuff.
delseta9_, May 23, 2014 @ 21:37
Your Reply:
