Comments on: Canadian / American Spelling Differences … Does Your Blog Speak to the Proper Market? http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html Canada's Search and Social Media Authority Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:57:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dean Gregory http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-162445 Dean Gregory Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:07:57 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-162445 Hello I checked into your site to determine an appropriate spelling for litre in Canada. Of course, I took the opportunity to check the other words in your list. I was disappointed to see "analyse" noted as the Canadian spelling. As a native born Canadian (47 years old) - I have to tell you that I had never seen this spelling use in Canada - anywhere. That is, untill spell check. I can only assume that someone (perhaps British) decided that "analyze" was not the Canadian spelling. A competing site recognizes that while "analyse" and the like are not unknown in Canada - "analyze" and the like are more common. Perhaps peoples' relicance on spell check will change this fact - as it seems to have done in some newspapers. In general, I find it sad that spell check will have the consequence of creating static in the evolution of our landguage. Best to you Dean Hello

I checked into your site to determine an appropriate spelling for litre in Canada. Of course, I took the opportunity to check the other words in your list. I was disappointed to see "analyse" noted as the Canadian spelling. As a native born Canadian (47 years old) – I have to tell you that I had never seen this spelling use in Canada – anywhere. That is, untill spell check. I can only assume that someone (perhaps British) decided that "analyze" was not the Canadian spelling. A competing site recognizes that while "analyse" and the like are not unknown in Canada – "analyze" and the like are more common. Perhaps peoples' relicance on spell check will change this fact – as it seems to have done in some newspapers. In general, I find it sad that spell check will have the consequence of creating static in the evolution of our landguage.

Best to you

Dean

]]> By: juststacy http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-160733 juststacy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:13 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-160733 I sought out this list because I'm a speller with doubt. I think I know how to spell a word, am certain I had the correct spelling in my mind, but spell check is pretty sure I had it wrong! I'm Canadian, surrounded by French signs and labeling with shared spelling of many words. Spell check just makes it all the more confusing for me! I know I'm not the only one! :) I really wish that I could find a spell check that was Canadian so that I can get rid of the present 'doubt-check' that leaves me feeling like a poor speller. Honestly, someone tell me if there is an U.S./ Canadian thing happening with the spelling of all words that end up said counsellor because that one BAFFLES me(spell check underlined it, had to google to be sure. frig it's tiring!)! Perhaps I just don't know how to spell at all, but I need someone to iron it all out for me! I sought out this list because I'm a speller with doubt. I think I know how to spell a word, am certain I had the correct spelling in my mind, but spell check is pretty sure I had it wrong! I'm Canadian, surrounded by French signs and labeling with shared spelling of many words. Spell check just makes it all the more confusing for me! I know I'm not the only one! :) I really wish that I could find a spell check that was Canadian so that I can get rid of the present 'doubt-check' that leaves me feeling like a poor speller.

Honestly, someone tell me if there is an U.S./ Canadian thing happening with the spelling of all words that end up said counsellor because that one BAFFLES me(spell check underlined it, had to google to be sure. frig it's tiring!)! Perhaps I just don't know how to spell at all, but I need someone to iron it all out for me!

]]> By: Dina http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-80411 Dina Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:43:00 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-80411 Nooo! British English is the original, and so it is the most proper. I am neither British nor Canadian or American, and yeah as a foreigner I struggled to learn the spelling of many words, but seriously the standard should be British spelling not American. It´s like the differences in the Spanish spoken in Latin America and that of Spain.... it doesnt matter which country has the most inhabitants the original will always be more proper. Nooo! British English is the original, and so it is the most proper. I am neither British nor Canadian or American, and yeah as a foreigner I struggled to learn the spelling of many words, but seriously the standard should be British spelling not American. It´s like the differences in the Spanish spoken in Latin America and that of Spain…. it doesnt matter which country has the most inhabitants the original will always be more proper.

]]> By: “The Language Instinct” by Stephen Pinker | 21tiger [新代老虎] books. biz. asia. http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-70937 “The Language Instinct” by Stephen Pinker | 21tiger [新代老虎] books. biz. asia. Sat, 09 Apr 2011 08:05:25 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-70937 [...] be massive misunderstandings in newspapers, but grammar is totally adaptable and flexible. Even so, Canadians will insist that neighbour is spelled with a u, because that’s what the British intended, but it doesn’t really matter. [...] [...] be massive misunderstandings in newspapers, but grammar is totally adaptable and flexible. Even so, Canadians will insist that neighbour is spelled with a u, because that's what the British intended, but it doesn't really matter. [...]

]]> By: Ruud Hein http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-67622 Ruud Hein Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:24:08 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-67622 I learned British English in the Netherlands. Living in Canada now you'd expect me to stay the course but in many cases I lean towards the US spelling for two reasons. One, software often speaks US English:) Two, although we're writing for a Canadian audience here we have a ton of US readers too -- and audience size & keyword matches matter. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jose. I learned British English in the Netherlands. Living in Canada now you'd expect me to stay the course but in many cases I lean towards the US spelling for two reasons. One, software often speaks US English:) Two, although we're writing for a Canadian audience here we have a ton of US readers too — and audience size & keyword matches matter.

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jose.

]]> By: Jose http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-67583 Jose Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:12:11 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-67583 I was born and raised in Texas but often find myself spelling things the Canadian way even if I have never read anything British and my neighbourhood I live in has mix of races. Weired, often get corrected. I was born and raised in Texas but often find myself spelling things the Canadian way even if I have never read anything British and my neighbourhood I live in has mix of races. Weired, often get corrected.

]]> By: Albert D. http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-50835 Albert D. Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:45:57 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-50835 If U.S. English is not the international standard, its spelling differences can certainly be found mixed in with English almost everywhere. (i.e. "color," "center," etc.) As for Canadian English being very similar to British English, I'm not sure this is the case. I am Canadian, and it is definitely the least similar to British English of any Commonwealth country. Yes, Canada ends certain words with "-our" instead of "-or" and doubles the consonants on many words that are not doubled in the U.S., but almost all "Americanism" words are just as much Canadian, and really are "North Americanisms." There are many British slangs and expressions that I do not even understand, while I understand most used in the U.S. (and, by extension, Canada). Additionally, I know of many Canadians who entirely write with U.S. spellings. Perhaps this is the result of them growing up with their spellchecks set to U.S. English, but it is interesting to note. If U.S. English is not the international standard, its spelling differences can certainly be found mixed in with English almost everywhere. (i.e. "color," "center," etc.)

As for Canadian English being very similar to British English, I'm not sure this is the case. I am Canadian, and it is definitely the least similar to British English of any Commonwealth country. Yes, Canada ends certain words with "-our" instead of "-or" and doubles the consonants on many words that are not doubled in the U.S., but almost all "Americanism" words are just as much Canadian, and really are "North Americanisms." There are many British slangs and expressions that I do not even understand, while I understand most used in the U.S. (and, by extension, Canada).

Additionally, I know of many Canadians who entirely write with U.S. spellings. Perhaps this is the result of them growing up with their spellchecks set to U.S. English, but it is interesting to note.

]]> By: John http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-50750 John Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:47:59 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-50750 Unfortunately US English is not international standard and is only preferred in most (not even all) parts of the US and it's territories and SE Asian economies looking for increased US trade. British English is the international standard in more countries and far more people are taught UK English as a second language or a first across the globe than US English including India, all of Europe excluding parts of Germany (due to strong Cold War US influence) and even a great deal of some Asian countries. For that matter former member of the Empire or current member of the Commonwealth in Africa, the Americas Asia, Europe, the Middle East etc all use UK English. US hegemony does not in and of itself equate US spelling dominance. Regardless the article is about using appropriate spelling variants when appropriate and thus when writing in Canada or for Canadians you spell Canadian. I believe the expression "When in Rome" applies here. Unfortunately US English is not international standard and is only preferred in most (not even all) parts of the US and it's territories and SE Asian economies looking for increased US trade. British English is the international standard in more countries and far more people are taught UK English as a second language or a first across the globe than US English including India, all of Europe excluding parts of Germany (due to strong Cold War US influence) and even a great deal of some Asian countries. For that matter former member of the Empire or current member of the Commonwealth in Africa, the Americas Asia, Europe, the Middle East etc all use UK English. US hegemony does not in and of itself equate US spelling dominance. Regardless the article is about using appropriate spelling variants when appropriate and thus when writing in Canada or for Canadians you spell Canadian. I believe the expression "When in Rome" applies here.

]]> By: Albert D. http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-33328 Albert D. Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:29:12 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-33328 I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with you on this, at least on the fact that the "s" spelling is the only correct Canadian one. Every other chart I can find indicates the "z" version to be the Canadian spelling, including this chart published by a major textbook publisher: http://media.wiley.com/product_ancillary/09/04704108/DOWNLOAD/US%20vs%20Brit%20and%20Can%20spellings.pdf I've also found (anecdotally) the "z" spelling to be far more common. I usually find the author's origin to be British whenever I see it spelled otherwise. Anyway, this is just what I've noticed. Thanks for your fast reply. I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with you on this, at least on the fact that the "s" spelling is the only correct Canadian one. Every other chart I can find indicates the "z" version to be the Canadian spelling, including this chart published by a major textbook publisher: http://media.wiley.com/product_ancillary/09/04704108/DOWNLOAD/US%20vs%20Brit%20and%20Can%20spellings.pdf

I've also found (anecdotally) the "z" spelling to be far more common. I usually find the author's origin to be British whenever I see it spelled otherwise.

Anyway, this is just what I've noticed. Thanks for your fast reply.

]]> By: Jeff Quipp http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/canadian-american-spelling-differences-does-your-blog-speak-to-the-proper-market.html#comment-33325 Jeff Quipp Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:59:54 +0000 http://www.searchenginepeople.com/?p=3483#comment-33325 Great question Albert. It seems we Canadians get very confused being wedged between those who the language is named after, and the superpower to the south. We tend to interchange the spellings, but the correct Canadian spelling is indeed "analyse". Great question Albert. It seems we Canadians get very confused being wedged between those who the language is named after, and the superpower to the south. We tend to interchange the spellings, but the correct Canadian spelling is indeed "analyse".

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