If you are from Great Britain, or other English speaking country (except US), or even most of European countries where you learn british-english
and are working for an American company
would you use, in your communications with them, English or American words, e.g. signalling (en-uk) or signaling (en-us)?
Edit: also saying that, because I have seen texts where both syntaxes coexisted, probably multi-authors, so a global policy should be set in the company
Ask your manager which he/she would prefer for you to use. Explain that you are more comfortable with Commonwealth English. Most likely, it won't matter at all. Your manager may tell you that he/she would prefer for you to use whichever variety of English you are most comfortable with. Or he/she may insist that you learn American spellings and so on. But it's not really a question that anyone on this site can answer.
I was brought up using British English. It got too ingrained in me to make any change easy or convenient. When you type, the spelling is pre-programmed into your typing speed. Thank heavens for spell-check!
After that many years in the country, I frequently still cross the road by looking right first.
My friends and colleagues (and spouse) perk up when I say "car park", "bonnet" because those words are programmed into me. They come out faster than I can think.
Even though the New England Patriots has replaced Man Utd as my favourite football team, I still sincerely believe that Football is round and not carried around on the field like a rugby ball.
I think we should continue with the euphemistic use of the word "toilet", rather than asking for "bathrooms" where we could neither take a shower nor have a bath.
I have a feeling that my bosses are not too comfortable with my intransigent language habits. OTOH, I feel so funny and disingenuous if I do ever try to learn an American form of accentuation when I speak.
So, fellow Americans, thousands apologies, I am trying my best. I am obliging myself to obligate.
Large companies usually have specific guidelines for this, so you should check the communication policies for your company.
Working for a US company, but in their British office, usually I adhere to the following protocol:
For general email and communication to team members, I will use my native British spelling (colour, realise, etc).
For official communication being sent out a widespread audience of recipients within my region (i.e., EMEA) I will also use British spelling.
For global official communication being sent out to a widespread audience including the US region, I will use the American spellings (color, realize).
You also need to consider date format conventions (e.g., 23/10/2012 vs 10/23/2012) - again, there will almost certainly be policy for this within any global company.
The best bet, though, is to consult your communication team (or, if one doesn't exist, HCM should have published guidelines for most large companies).
