Why do Americans spell differently?

[haddles]

I was just wondering if anyone knew why Americans (I think i'm including Canadians here too) spell some words differently to the rest of us English speakers? When did it originate and what made them pick only certain words?<br />Now i'm basing this on the assumption that the English spelling of words is the original way and that it was deliberately changed somewhere along the line. Here in Australia where I am we tend to side with the English version but the odd American version can be interchanged. There are many words that differ and maybe some Americans may not even be aware of it, I don't know.<br />Examples are litre, aluminium, colour, programme, gauge to name a few.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Confusing, I know, Haddles. Although we Americans still call the language we speak "English", it's truly evolved into the "American" language and become a close cousin to the original.<br /><br />Language is (and likely should be) a dynamic instrument that changes over time under common useage influences.<br /><br />In many cases, a word was spelled as close to how it sounded to the writer rather than how the dictionery listed it. With enough similar use, that spelling became the "norm". <br /><br />In the US, the word "arctic" will probably lose the first "C" in it's spelling because so few enunciate it any more ... even the so called professionals on the Weather Channel. Very soon I expect to see "Artic" in the dictionery.<br /><br />Just one more mark of "progress".<br /><br />Due to your Geographic Isolation, Aussie "English" had less mutational influence than America until about 50 years ago. Just wait ... you'll see more.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

cause we be better edukated than yall is

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

A very interesting subject!<br /><br />It is generally accepted that the advent of the printing press helped stabilize the language, at least in terms of spelling. Now we have the electronic media and a tremendous flow of information. <br /><br />I think there are two different things hapenning with the English language these days---one of them being the further stabilization of it in some respects, the other being an incredible amount of adaptation of new words and linguistic flux originating with technolgy and the influences rapid cultural change.<br /><br />It could be that technology is destabilizing the language this time around!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Someone had to correct the Brits spelling.....

 

[haddles]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

It seems as though the American way is to try and standardize the way that words are pronounced and spelt in a similar fashion like water and liter and superfluous letters like the me at the end of programme have been deemed unnecessary. This would make sense but at the same time silent letters like the k in knock and the l in could have been left untouched. There must have been some form of changeover where both forms were acceptable until the easier or more phonetically correct spelling was deemed to be the only way to spell the words. I don't know if a boating forum is the right place to start but as most of the members are from the States i've noticed the spelling differences quite often. Old English spelling is different again so it is definitely open to change like accents do but I was wondering if there was some official line by the American linguists to go out on their own knowing that they were tinkering with the Oxford dictionary in the process.<br />I notice you still cling to imperial measurements which sort of flies in the face of your progressive attitude to language and decimal currency. I know which form of measurement is easier coming from a country that made the change to Metric quite a few years ago.

 

[haddles]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

D'oh, double post!!

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

LOLOL ... you give us too much credit, Haddles. I'm sure there is no group "trying" to do anything to stabilize our language ... it just mutates as common usage dictates. <br /><br />Look at the Scots. They have Gaelic, but their English is really a collection of abreviations and slang. Purposeful? I doubt it. Just happened that way.

 

[haddles]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Can you tell i'm bored and have nothing better to do?

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

I hear that, Haddles .. I just came in for another coffee and am procrastinating myself. <br /><br />Raining today and if I'm not careful, I'll have to actually tackle some of the "inside" projects I set aside during the summer boating/fishing/fun season.

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Maybe we Americans revolted in language spelling as well?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

I think the proximity of England to France makes litre and programme seem normal; the French would say "Lee-tre", and the "m" would be silent if programme didn't end in "e". Correct me if I'm wrong about that.<br /><br />Why do we stabilize and winterize instead of stabilise and winterise?<br /><br />We do we say "congress is voting" instead of "congress are voting"?<br /><br />Why do our cars windshields, hoods and trunks instead of windscreens, bonnets and boots?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Haddles if you think we have special spelling habits you should visit the US and take a trip to hear us all speak!!!!<br /><br />The dialog varies and words mean different things...regional differences<br /><br />A few examples-<br /><br />Coca-cola is a pretty well known brand -<br />can of Soda?<br />Pop?<br /><br />How about a long sandwich -<br />Grinder?<br />Sub?<br />Submarine?<br />Foot long?<br />Hogie?<br /><br />A verbal agreement-<br />Yes<br />Yup<br />Yeah<br /><br />Depending on where you are in the US things are even named differently! That does not even touch on the accents - not foreign accents but local accents- take a people from parts of the northeast, northwest and deep south and just listen to the slang, phrases and accents.<br /> <br /><br />Bob

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

We just like to be different then the Brits since we were trying to seperated from them plus we like to be bigger and better than everybody else. A gallon is bigger then a liter, a yard is longer then a meter.

 

[QC]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

They have their own gallon over there(UK). They even have a bigger ton, plus they spell it tonne. They are both bigger than ours. Sounds ike one-upmanship to me . . . One problem though, we got our weights and measures from them . . . hmmmmm

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

"G", are yards longer in Indiana? In Seattle a yard is 36"......& a meter is about 39 3/8".....Are these "country yards" we're talking about? You know like "country miles"? BTW, did you go to school in Illinois? Just funnin'with ya!..... ....JK

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Y'all need to mosey on down hair to mithippi and sit a spell. We'kin sit around and jaw 'bout dem yankees whilst we'uns partake of some cornbread and butterbeans. 'dem dairs good vittels. <br /><br />we'll see y'all later<br /><br />spots

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

First thing I have to teach transplants to Jersey (and no, it's not JOISEY) is the five D's:<br /><br />Dis<br />Dat<br />Dese<br />Dem &<br />Dose<br /><br />Then, the ending "R" is not really necessary, and can be though of as a printed "H"<br /><br />Remembeh<br />Septembeh<br />Wateh<br /><br />If they are moving into the Newark vicinity, I also inform them that when two people are walking in opposite directions and have a glancing collision, they "bunked into each other".<br /><br />Any word ending in "ING" will never have the "G" enunciated.<br /><br />"Welcome to New Jersey - now go the $%^#$ home!"<br /> Unofficial "New" State Motto

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

You tawkin' ta me?.....

 

[ufm82]

Re: Why do Americans spell differently?

Hey haddles- you want to know why we spell differently?<br /><br />'Cuz we've won all the big wars. That's why. <br /><br /><br /><br />UFM82