Andy,

Only to the degree that the Yank didn't know how to write properly. "While" and "whilst" are both used in proper english - it just depends on the context. They are not mutually exclusive, or used in one dialect and not the other. It's just a question of using the appropriate form at the appropriate time.

What's actually far more disturbing is how americans get their metaphors and similes all wrong. The metaphors and similies that they use are quite obviously rooted in British English expression, but they get them all arse about face and transpose weird stuff. We can only assume that the Pilgrims were very simple people, seeing as they, or their descendants, couldn't even cope with "u". Can you imagine a Tahitian or Quebecian complaining that they don't want to spell it "oui" but "wee". Quelle horreur! L'Academie Francaise would implode at the very thought of these common and arrogant colonials vying to change the language.

Jane

PS How does a greek fellah end up with a scottish first name?

In traditional Greek fashion, I was named after my Παπου (Papou=Grandfather).

His name was Ανδρεας. derived from the Greek word "Anthropos" = man.

The Anglicized form of the name is Andrew.

Coincidentally,

My mother is of Scottish descent (her maiden name is Reddick), and my brother's wife, originally from Edinburgh, just got her US citizenship last month.

Yassou!

IMO "proper" english just doesn't play here in the states. It's not a matter of knowing or not knowing. Americans by and large are not morons. The word "whilst" just isn't "real" to us. If someone used "whilst" in copy it would be too apparent that they're not from here, therefore, don't know how to write for us.

That's "ass backwards" to us americans. Actually I'm quite intrigued by your statement. Could you give us a few examples of misused similes and metaphors?

Not simple... just in a hurry. Can easily cope with the "u" just have no time for it.

Aaah, L'Academie Francaise exploding. Now there's something I would support!

Here is a scenario in which Jane Schmo can go from $25 hour to $250 an hour or more with just one very satisfied client.

* From her pre-copywriting days, Jane has deep experience in a particular industry that most high-profile copywriters ignore.

* She creates samples for her portfolio that show creative mastery of copywriting and that appeal to her target market.

* Whether paid or unpaid, she does a successful project for one client who carries weight in the industry and gives her a testimonial about her having improved their response, in general terms (no numbers given).

Now in this situation, she actually would have a huge marketing advantage over more experienced copywriters who have "more proof." Because most of the clients she is targeting believe it is more important to hire someone who understands their business than to have a stellar track record but no experience in their industry.

Understand also that in many industries, they do not live or die by testing and numbers. So the high-profile copywriters' numbers of which he or she is so proud could be either meaningless or irrelevant to these clients.

She also needs confidence to charge more. But in this scenario, she could definitely get away with a ten-fold increase in her rates.

Marcia Yudkin

Michael, this post that you made has reverberated in my brain and produced some profound insights as I woke up this morning.

When I first read that post, my reaction was "that's right", and I knew that the last point was something that I need to improve in my work.

But when I woke up this morning, the concept of "weaving a story" held a completely new meaning for me.

In most of my copy, I generally try to teach my prospects something as a way to "prove" the value of the information I sell. This works, but it misses a key ingredient that would "lock in" their attention further and make them want to read the sales letter anyways.

Entertainment.

I now have some new ideas that I fully believe will improve the results that I get from my sales letters, and all thanks to you.


Jane,

There was a quote I remember seeing many years ago that goes something like:

The only people I've ever heard use the word 'whilst' have been from the UK. Yes, it's "proper English", and may have a meaning that is distinctly different from the word 'while', but the dialect that we Americans use has dropped it in favor of the other word.

I'm confused how the metaphors and similies Americans use is "obviously rooted in British English expression". Could you please explain this? It's not so "obvious" to me.

The second part of that sounds like it could easily be mistaken for a derogatory comment about Americans. We wouldn't want to get into a flame war here, would we?

Just another take here: I just raised my fees. Yes..again. But, it's not because I am suddenly in the caliber of Dan K, Gary B, Gary H, or Michel F. It's because...I can.

You see, with copywriting, I find clients trying to change what I wrote because it doesn't fit their image, blah, blah. You know the drill. Then it doesn't do so well, and I have to live by those results. Now some of you have a contract where they can't change it. And I've considered doing that. But then I look at all the entrepreneurs I'm working with who just think I'm a miracle worker (this is not bragging...you know how much most of them know about marketing) and gladly pay me my fees, and bonuses, and tell their colleagues, and purchase my products. In fact, I hate (most) reality shows, but imagine some producer approaching me about doing one. That's what I'm in the middle of now. While I don't know what will become of it, it just reinforces how clueless the vast business community is about marketing that works.

You really don't have to have a 30-year track record here, as I am discovering.

The beauty here is that lots of people on this board can do the same thing I am doing, probably even more efficiently (I'm working on my time mgmt, but it's not there yet).

And the only break I got is that someone who I helped told someone else, and some producer got wind. It was never planned. Imagine if I had planned it that way!

But I know lots more than most (that don't know our way of marketing), so we'll see what happens. A lot of it is certainly being in the right place at the right time. Oh, and networking rules!

John

Quelle horreur et zut alors! Oh my, how dare the vanquished and servile Brit even so much as suggest a hint of derogation. Tut, tut, tut and my, my, my - as if!

Interesting assertion - not born out by their portrayal this side of the pond. Everyone from Christian Slater to Cameron Diaz, George Bush to Condaleeza Rice gets lampooned the moment they set foot on British soil. At the political level we're all best mates, at street level, well ...

Actually, we do think they're morons. There, I've said it. You can't go two minutes watching TV here without someone taking the piss out of americans ... it's so delightfully easy.

Well, that's one excuse for illiteracy I suppose. Not a very convincing one. More likely they were being ornary. The Scots have got 10 times more reasons to hate the english language (given that they had their own perfectly good language), but they still manage to spell things correctly.

Otherwise, why not just go the whole hog and use phonetic spelling? That would at least be logical rather than lazy or awkward.

There are some very intelligent americans, many of whom frequent this board. The vast majority, it seems, are brainwashed simpletons with virtually no concept of an outside world other than some mythical notion that they're "boss of the universe" and that their culture is somehow superior and that everyone else in the world should bend to their will and embrace their dysfunctional values.

What can you say about a nation whose most obvious contribution to the advancement of human civilisation is cheap hamburgers and pointless wars that divert public attention from issues at home and break up the tedium of being so goddamned righteous?

Anyway, the behemoth's days are numbered.

That tends to happen in cultures where people are too convinced of how right they are, thus failing to notice the impending guerilla attack lurking in the undergrowth.

No doubt I'll get flamed something rotten for this, but well, if you will scratch the surface with differences in language as though your language is somehow more clever, then this is what you get. Even your so called allies don't love you. (And who does I wonder? Puerto Ricans? Australians?)

Jane

Jane,
Coming from a "taffy" (Welsh) background, I will say that my father constantly "criticised", not only me for using American slang whilst growing up, but also my teachers.

It was very embarrasing as a child to bring homework back to my teacher with "corrections" to their misspellings and grammatical errors on my papers.

This probably accounted for my mistreatment from teachers

My father would constantly complain how Americans had "bastardised" the English language!


Jane - Although I don't agree with everything (or everyone you say are morons here), us Americans also have low opinions of some of our own -- especially the ones coming out of Hollywood!

Not to turn this into a piss*n frenzy here, but I will say that America is still the best place on earth to live.

I've been on your side of the "pond" -- I do love to visit, but prefer lower taxes and being able to visit my doctor the same day I become ill -- like right now... I'm starting to get a splitting headache reading this post

Yes. And a Welsh accent is sexier any day!

Jane

PS If I married a Welshman I'd have my full Celtic complement (I'm scottish, irish and english).

I guess if we're going to just come clean, our friendly Brits should know that some here see brits as inbreds with bad teeth, and the men as just a little too dainty.

Not saying I agree, but either side of the pond is just as bashable.