British English, American English, a mix of both?
I’m pretty good at spelling. Of course there are easy words I make mistakes with due to years of misspelling them and not noticing or being corrected. One that springs to mind is the word “congratulations”. I finally realized/realised I had been spelling it incorrectly for two decades at a teaching workshop I gave in Japan about 15 years ago. As part of a demo activity, I wrote “congragulations” on the white board in big letters. It took several teachers to convince me it was misspelled / misspelt. A few years ago. a student in Abu Dhabi was kind enough to point out it was “separate” and not “seperate”. I’m sure the best of us also have words that cause them problems.
Spelling became a bigger issue for me when I started my BreakingNewsEnglish site. I had two problems:
1. I had spent the previous 10 years working largely with U..S textbooks, American teachers and looking at websites full of American English. I suddenly became aware of the fact that I could not say with 100% conviction whether “realized” or “realised” was British or American English. I bet there’s even a Latin name for the confusion. I haven’t forgotten that “theatre”, “colour”, “catalogue”, “programme”, “spilt” and “encyclopaedia” are British while “theater”, “color”, “catalog”, “programme”, “spilled” and “encyclopedia” are American.
2. Which version should I include on my news website? Some visitors have told me they cannot use my materials because of the British spelling, and then the American spelling when I changed it… I have also tried giving both variants.
My thinking at the moment is that I don’t think it makes an awful lot of difference on my website. It’s used all over the world by students who are exposed to both British and American English. I’m sure many will not agree with this.
What do you think?
Tags: American English, British English, spelling
I guess choosing BrE or AmE makes no qualitative difference at all as long as you stick to your choice.
Firstly, I’m not convinced by the ‘I can’t use it because it’s British / American English’ claims. Students will come across variations of written English when they’re outside of the classroom, and particularly when online, so why shouldn’t they be exposed to variations in the classroom?
And in answer to your question, I guess consistency is the most important thing. Pick one and use it consistently. Also worth noting that North American spellings and words are creeping in to ‘British’ English: ‘TV show’ and ‘movies’ now commonly heard, so the distinction isn’t always 100% clear.
And would it be mean to point out a spelling error – or rather an accidental correct spelling – in your blog entry? You’ve spelt the word ‘separate’ correctly twice in the first paragraph. I’m guessing your illustration of incorrect spelling should be ‘seperate’?
Thanks Francisco – That’s what I’m wondering about – whether I have to stick to one or another, or whether I can mix them and freely alternate whenever I want – even having a mix of both spellings in the same text!?!?
Thanks Ian,
Consistency is the thing troubling me. Consistently British or consistently American? As you said, N.American spelling is creeping into ‘British’ English. Pronunciation and vocabulary too. When I was growing up, “hi” and “guy” were distinctly American and very rarely heard spoken by Brits (at least in my neck of the woods). My guess is that in a few decades from now, British people (English teachers included) will be exposed to so much American spelling that they too will be using both variants in their writing. Perhaps I’m preempting this by wanting to use both on my sites – even in the same text.
Best wishes,
Sean
PS – Thanks for pointing out my ‘accidental correct spelling’ (LOL
Sean, it’s very interesting from where I sit. I see in the broadcast media a subtle shift away from American English or British English to a more International English. I of course read for you and also do stuff for the World Bank and UNICEF. If you go to the large international organizations, they are using a non-specific, almost global type of English. The key to that being that I wouldn’t sound strange reading it, nor would you. It would sound comfortable to an international audience. The trend is a lot of phrasal verbs which would be my country, and a lot of BrE expressions and ways of saying or phrasing things to make a less complicated syntax, ergo more understandable to more people globally vice something that is country specific.
My 2 cents, I’d say keep doing it as you are. A spelling error or word usage error is only wrong if there is no basis for it in either BrE or AmE. I’ve never found that to be the case in the 5 years I’ve been using and now collaborating with you there. Keep up the good work
Important question! I live and teach English in Canada, where we have an unfair advantage. in this country, generally accepted spelling is a combination of American and British spelling (eg. organize, pedophile and program as well as centre and colour). As a result, I simply teach Canadian spelling to my students, and in the process I’m able to be consistent while at the same time introducing students to both major spelling systems.
Hi Sean!
Interesting dilemma… I am always asking myself the same question when I write emails and posts. I usually go for the North American, for it’s the one I’ve been exposed to the most (also, it’s where I lived). But more recently I’ve had to do a lot of writing using the British spelling, so I had to train myself to do so. Now I am constantly mixing the two, I have to admit
– without meaning to, of course.
My first thought is you should use the one you feel most comfortable with (or which is more natural for you), for I agree with you that as far as the people who use your site I don’t think it matters much. But here’s an idea: why not use both – making sure you write a notice explaining this of course, and maybe make a little note before each activity indicating which variation you used on that specific activity? Just an idea… I like diversity
Sunny regards,
Ceci
Hi Ceci,
Good idea to indicate which version. I might have to write something like “this article contains a mix of British and American spelling” and ask students to find out which is which, as an additional activity
Hi Ruth – Perhaps I could post the message “This site uses Canadian English spelling” and carry on using both. A great idea
Thanks Ted,
I’ll carry on using both under the guise of global English, which is how spelling might be in a few decades – people using both spellings.
There is no simple answer to this question.
Generally, I’d say, when in Japan, spell as the Americans do. Most students here learn and use American English, so it follows that American spelling will be more practical. One exception would be preparing someone going to the UK or other, non-American country. Also, if your article or activity involves life in the UK, then British spelling makes more sense. If it relates to USA – American and so on.
There is nothing wrong with “colour”, “centre”, or “tyre” but if you expect your students to make effort and learn new words don’t shy away from learning the alternative spelling yourself.
Then, on the other hand, there’s no need to be hyper correct. The world will not come to an end if you spell “practise” as “practice” or the other way round.
Of course, this goes beyond mere spelling differences. How do you spell “car boot” in American English? “T-R-U-N-K”. So, what’s the point of teaching someone to spell “bonnet” when the word they’ll have to use is “hood”? By the way, did you ever notice that in Japanese it’s BONNETTO and TORANKU?
The whiteboard in your picture illustrates the point nicely, but “When Neal say’s”? SAY’S? Really?
Hi!
I have done a research concerning the mixture between Am & Br English for my master degree, the fact that every one knows which version of english they are using, but foreign students of English don’t, they mix both varieties unconsciously! I think it’s a great idea to indicate which variety you use, Regards
Saby
Spelling is the least of our worries! We need to get the students talking and using the language. I could not care less if it’s British, American or Canadian spelling which is a blend of the two. I’m in (French) Canada so both are used all over the place. Our students generally want to feel comfortable SPEAKING so the spelling is not very important except for very advanced students who need to write perfectly. Most students do not need that level of written ability. My two cents.
Language is a developing living organism, which finds it’s own variations and evolves to fit the purpose quite nicely. Mostly without any help from linguists.
It’s Survival of the Fittest, (although having said that, there’s always the possibility that there may never be a standard Global English – in the way that there is no standard Global Spanish, or Russian, or any other language).
So perhaps it makes no odds which you choose. Most important is that you don’t feel awkward writing stuff on the board which doesn’t flow naturally
As a Newcastle person, I’m tempted to lay out the case for Geordie spellings. But I fear it wouldn’t catch on.
Thanks Alyson,
Any time you want me to do a lesson on Geordie news, let me know. Will add a healthy range of Geordiisms (sp??)
Best wishes,
Sean
Thank you for the comment – I like the idea of Canadian English spelling
Thanks Sabrina – I’ll put a little flag on my lessons from now to indicate the spelling.
Thanks Tom,
A good idea to link the spelling to the theme / country being talked about. Will do that from now.
Best wishes,
Sean
Hi, I agree with you, and also with tornwordo I am in Brazil and all we need to do is to make them Speak english, this is what it matters.
I prefer the British spellings since that is what we use in Canada. I like the extra “u” in some of our words.
I use Canadian English on my blog all the time and even use “practise” with an “s” when it is a verb.
I haven’t had any comments about this throwing readers for a loop.
So just write. It’s the content that matters more than spelling, I think. And you have great content.
Keep up the good worK!