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This question was closed without grading. Reason: Errant question
Apr 21, 2013 21:08
11 yrs ago
8 viewers *
English term

gas station

Non-PRO English Other Telecom(munications) Localization of a speech dialogue system
As an American English speaker, may I ask here "What is the every-day British term for
'gas station', please"?

Is it petrol station / service station / filling station / gasoline station?

This is for me a pro L10n question to me. And yes, I am perfectly aware that every British native speaker knows the answer.

How can I get around pro / non-pro issues (as I'm sure that such a question would trigger immediate re-classification actions by some individuals)?

Is there a better way to categorize localization issues?
Responses
3 +7 petrol station
4 filling-station
Change log

Apr 22, 2013 06:19: Edith Kelly changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

Apr 22, 2013 06:22: Edith Kelly changed "Language pair" from "German to English" to "English"

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (3): 784512 (X), Michael Martin, MA, Edith Kelly

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Discussion

Michelangela (asker) Apr 22, 2013:
FYI This particular translation was from German to British English, as a base for I10N/L10N into ASIAN LANGUAGES (and I don't want to go into internationalization vs. internationaliSation here and now again).
Ramey Rieger (X) Apr 22, 2013:
@Rose Oh my! Peace, sister, peace! I would be the LAST person to even hint at American supremacy, having grown up in the South during the racist 60s. My literary taste is wholly Dickensian and I was attempting to point out the validity of both languages. I don't much go for hierarchies, preferring anarchy with a self-imposed order. A world without maps would be fine with me.
Tony M Apr 22, 2013:
@ Rose Odd, I too am a Brit from the South of England and I have heard / used this term for simply yonks; yes, I think it is comparatively modern, but never thought of it as being a move towards internationalization; it does, however, avoid some of the illogicality since new fuels have come in (or even old ones): "Just going to the petrol station for some diesel" Doh?!

I think you'll find it is commonly used by big supermarkets like Tesco etc. to refer to their non-core activities...
784512 (X) Apr 22, 2013:
@Noni I have a funny feeling that "filling station" is the "international" term, designed to be understood worldwide. Not sure where I am getting that feeling from. Like I said, not heard it in normal use in the UK.
Noni Gilbert Riley Apr 22, 2013:
@Rose Just that I seemed to find more incidences of filling station than petrol station, but either is fine in my book.
784512 (X) Apr 22, 2013:
re: filling station Petrol station is more usual to my ears. I'm not sure if it is a regional or generational thing, but filling station just sounds American or otherwise "foreign" to me.

Garage is also what we called it in our family - but that's probably a legacy from when each petrol station had a workshop (i.e. that sense of the word garage) attached. Possibly, anyway.

Note: I'm a southerner who's lived a few years in the Midlands and Leeds, who doesn't drive. So filling station may well be normal, but it's not something I've ever really heard.
784512 (X) Apr 22, 2013:
@my American superior Well, it's better to be American if localising into US English. Better to be British if localising into UK English. That was quite a neutral comment - based on the statement by the asker that they want a UK English term.

I have no idea what the "simple fact" that American English "has profoundly more global presence" bears on this particular example. Perhaps you misread my statement? Of COURSE when localising into UK English it is better to actually be British, right?

But, since you decided to mark the battleground, that comment deserves a response. UK English is still quite common in Europe, at least, and until recently was dominant in some areas where relations with the US were less favourable (but we joined you on that little rampage, so now we're as hated as the Americans - thanks, buddy!). Localisation into UK English is still very much called for, perhaps because some of us Inselaffen don't understand the complexity of English in Hollywood rom-coms. Although I must say, the handicap of being an Inselaffe does not seem to have affected demand for my services in any way.
Noni Gilbert Riley Apr 22, 2013:
Personally I'd go for filling station Gasoline station: NO, not in the UK, although we do understand the term!

Service station: on the motorway, but this means that not only can you fill you car, you can also get a coffee, etc

Petrol station: slight misnomer, since it does sell diesel too, but very common, as is

Filling station: standard use

This link, for instance, shows both petrol and filling station used virtually "in the same breath". http://www.whatprice.co.uk/petrol-prices/filling-stations.ht...

Plus, "garage" which is what we have always called it in my family! ("Without getting all nostalgic or anything like that, the first time I went to the garage to get petrol for the car it was 73 pence per gallon." www.businessbanter.co.uk/news/2013/feb13/taxing-the-travell... But the term is ambiguous, because it can also mean "repair shop", ie where you get your car fixed.
Ramey Rieger (X) Apr 22, 2013:
@Rose Yes, you're right, just as it's better to be American. The simple fact is that American English has profoundly more global presence. Hurray for Hollywood?? Still, the English literary world is dominated by Brits. Thank you Thackeray! Do what you do best. Be well.
Tony M Apr 22, 2013:
It depends Asker, as usual, the correct term to use will depend on your overall context; if you do not have this information, you will probably need to seek clarification from your client.

You mention a "speech dialogue system", and "everyday British term" — so do you know if this term is to be spoken, and if so, in juxtaposition with what?

In addition to the perfectly correct solution below, you're right 'filling station' might well work as well — especially if in a more formal / official context.

On the other hand, in everday speech, we'd just as likely say "I'm just popping to the garage for some petrol" — even though of course most filling stations don't actually repair cars as well!
784512 (X) Apr 22, 2013:
@Ramey In this case, yes, it's as simple as having the slightest experience with British English - i.e. a good number of skilled, internationaliSed Americans would have got it, too. But generally, however, it's better to BE British - at least where localiSation into UK English is concerned. SOME Brits can manage US English, FEW Americans can manage UK English.
Ramey Rieger (X) Apr 22, 2013:
I suggest reading anything British. And even in my day - way back when - we had a semester of British English in High School. Petrol, torch, metres, theatre, bonnet, bobby and so on.....
784512 (X) Apr 21, 2013:
This is not a pro localisation question for me, someone who also works in EnUS and DE > EnGB localisation.

But, that is by the by - this is in the wrong language category. You want the En monolingual forum. Your question may be treated with more tolerance there, but it'd still be considered non-pro because a native in UK English, or even an American with the required experience to be doing UK English localisation, would know the answer.

Responses

+7
13 mins

petrol station

should do the trick.
Reference:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22000606

Peer comment(s):
agree 784512 (X) : obviously. :)
12 mins
agree Eleanore Strauss
35 mins
agree Karl A. Wilson
1 hr
agree Lancashireman : ElliCom heard them say this once on a Sherlock Holmes movie.
1 hr
agree petrolhead
1 hr
agree Edith Kelly : no idea why asker closed question w/o grading
8 hrs
agree Phong Le
9 hrs
Something went wrong...
2 days 18 hrs

filling-station

While looking for something else entirely, I came across in New Shorter OED an entry where it explains that 'gas station' [US] = 'filling-station' [GB]

I still think this is viable option for the UK at least.
Something went wrong...
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