I started the Separated by a Common Language blog back in 2006 in order to record some of the more subtle linguistic differences that struck me as an American in Britain. But mostly, I started it as an act of procrastination. At that point, British–American linguistic differences were a hobby for me. My “real” work concerned the role of antonyms (opposites) in language and mind.
But eventually, the hobby took over my work life. And I started to think of “American English” and “British English” as opposites of a sort, and something I could write a good book about.
Though the blog was a springboard for writing the book, most of what’s in the book isn’t in the blog, and vice versa.
I now also write a newsletter to share linguistic news that goes beyond the blog’s particular mission. You can subscribe to the newsletter by following this link.
—Lynne
separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com
