American spelling of words in the English Language?

Question

Do you get peeved with the Americanisation of words in the English Language such color instead of colour; Or am I being too pendantic?

Yes I realise I have spelt pedantic wrong, Sorry... Oh me!

Answer 1

I'm an American, but as a historian and a connoisseur of etymology, prefer the English spelling. Moreover, an adherence to the spelling of yore (and now, in Britain, her former colonies, etc.) is my own personal way of fighting against the "spelling simplification" movements going on in the U.S. right now. Americans haven't always spelt 'colour' without the 'u' for example. In fact, most Americanised (this spelling makes sense, considering that the noun is 'Americanism', not 'Americanizm') spellings are the work of Noah Webster (who first started changing spelling in his 1806 edition; strange that, what we consider to be a definitive source for spelling was the very vehicle used for screwing up that spelling), and, later, President Theodore Roosevelt.

English is a particularly peculiar language in that it is such an amalgamation of other languages. It's the result of prehistoric (for Britain, this is before Julius Caesar's conquest in 52 B.C.) Gaelic, mingling with Latin and the Romance languages of Gaul and Spain, and the Germanic language of the Anglo-Saxons, as well some Greek influence (largely carried over into Latin and then to English). As such, the Queen's English is one of the most difficult phonetic languages to learn, but it is truly an interesting one, and its value in learning other languages (since most European languages have some form of cognates with English) and its historical significance through its constant evolution cannot be overstated. One final note on the initial question: it's called "English" for a reason; I think the English people are pretty reliable sources for the proper spelling of those words.

Answer 2

As an American, I've always wondered why you needed the extra letter in colour? It seems a waste, to me, but it's really only one of the oddities of the English language.

FYI, this "Americanization" generally happened a couple hundred years ago, so there's not much point in being peeved about it. If you really want to be picky, I'd worry more about crappy street slang and "chat" speak. Stuff like "U R 2 Qt"...it's not even English! That's what you should concern yourself with!

Answer 3

England is a very small place really, in the grand scheme of things and many country's have their roots in the American culture now. Plus the spread of the computer access is teaching many nations English from an American based system so it is bound to happen.
That said, I'm English, and yes I do understand 'cos I do get peeved by it from time to time, I'm just trying to see the bigger picture.

Have a nice day y'all!

Answer 4

I can read and translate most English and American words freely from one dialect to the other. So, no it really doesn't bother me. In fact it is so automatic that I seldom even realize it has happened.

Now if you want me upset: WRiTe aLl youR sEnTEncEs liKE R soME soRt Of aN idIoT. Now if a person is not successful mixing the capital letters in they can always break into the TEXT TALK. I won't even try that, it makes absolutely no sense to me at all. It may as well be Greek.

Answer 5

Language changes through time. Our language is based on Latin, Gaelic, Spanish, and Germanic languages. The English spoken today is much different than it was 600 years ago in England. So, no...not peeved. Part of the process. Realize that "automobile, telephone, cellular" didn't exist 150 years ago.
And that they my not exist in 100 years. Also, many things that ends in "er" (center) used to end in "re".

Answer 6

no i don't get peeved. I think American spelling is closer to a phonetic American and I think the same is true of British English with the notation that the history of pronunciation and new word generation is much longer.

Answer 7

it's not the spelling, its the inability to use existing words that are perfectly good - e.g. incentivization instead of motivation. The English language (on both sides of the Atlantic) is the richest in the world, it is pure laziness to not find the appropriate word and instead make up some godawful derivative

Answer 8

They're useful in some occasions. Other times, bugs the crap outta me. Like when Microsoft Word REFUSES to changed dialects and gives out about words like 'aluminium.' The internet has led to the integration of these words on the UK side of the fence.

I know I for one have started using color.

What pisses me off is txt spk and typoes that have become accepted like teh and pwned.

Answer 9

I get peeved when Z's are replaced with S's in words like AmericaniZation!

Just kidding, I think different languages are neat.

Answer 10

i don't see why people in usa can't just use the correct spellings and by good people. that said, it is a seperate country and if they want to be different so be it.

but i still like to spell things properly, eg 'colour' and 'harbour' spelt with a 'u' in it, also things like 'centre' spell the english way to.