: Re: Linguistic simplicity in novels: how do different world markets/languages view it? This site has a lot of question on how to write properly and, naturally, many of the answers are on how to

@Frith254

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This question relates to the writing of novels so I'll address that point. The writing of non-fiction and academic papers is a totally different discipline.

Those who do not have English as a first language are seriously disadvantaged. They seek to us 'correct' English, and there is no such thing. The ability to communicate effective in 'standard' English plateaus at quite a low academic level, perhaps age 12-15. After this, the learning is no longer linear, nor is it taught. It becomes how many versions of experienced English are you fluent in: US English, British English, Californian Millennial English, etc?

Essentially, a novel is written: "In the author's own words (part of voice)." Subsequently, even lowly me will use words and phrases that an English University professor will not understand out of context.

The author is telling you a story. Do you like the sound of his voice?

Being correct is not necessarily 'better'.

"After the accident Maria went to live with her Uncle."

"After the accident Maria went to live in the house of the brother of her mother."

The first sentence may be correct but the second says so much more - it hints culture setting, etc. And it has a certain charm.

There are also cultural differences. A UK reader is likely to want to be challenged by a novel whereas the US industry fears the US reader will not purchase a difficult read.

Then, there are the facts: "The reading skills of American adults are significantly lower than those of adults in most other developed countries, according to a new international survey. What’s more, over the last two decades Americans’ reading proficiency has declined across most age groups, and has only improved significantly for 65-year-olds."
www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-american-adults-have-low-and-declining-reading-proficiency-20131008-story.html

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