Do Americans regard that British English is misspelled?

Question

If you're American, and you read something written in Brittish English, a lot of words are spelled differently than you're used to. Do you think that it is misspelled when you read it, or is it in America just another way of spelling the word. Think of center - centre; honor - honour; specialize - specialise etc. Are they both spelled correctly for you, or do you regard it as misspelled. Does it sound posh if you write like this?

Answer 1

I'm American. Canadians use Oxford English Dictionary spelling as well. It isn't spelled incorrectly or wrong, it's just not the standard way we write. It would be incredibly snobby of me to start spelling color like colour, but it wouldn't be misspelled. I hope I answered your question!

Answer 2

If I know it's British, I don't think it's misspelled, just different. I, as an American, would always spell words the American way, because that's how things are done here, but I wouldn't be all like "oh, that's wrong" if I was to read something with the British spelling.

Answer 3

I don't regard it as misspelled or pretentious, since I realize that the author is just using British spelling. While I'll just read right over those words when I see them in American English, when I see them spelled according to British English, it does make me take notice. Especially the first time. It makes me stop briefly and think 'Oh, so they're British' before continuing. Oddly enough, however, I sometimes prefer the British spelling myself for certain arbitrary words. Like 'grey,' for example.

Answer 4

for the most part i always use the american spelling of the words and i can usually figure out when it's the british spelling so i don't regard it as a misspelling (although the spelling of the word "skeptic" and "sceptic" threw me for a loop and i DID think that was a misspelling). i have however been told that i misspell a few words by my british pals when they see my use of 'americanized' english.

Answer 5

It nothing to do with been posh! I have notices some spelling different in here. For i.e colour English and the American spelling is color. It just pure lazy and bad grammar. Remember your vice president couldn't even spell Potato

Answer 6

Well speaking as an Englishman ,by the way there's no such a thing as British English its just English, your spelling is just as valid as ours. Its of no importance which way its written. I'm of the opinion that the US as added to the English language.Just carry on being yourselves we don't have a problem with your funny spelling.

Answer 7

When I run into those words, I just know that that's how they are spelled, not just in the UK, but certain English words are so spelled throughout Europe and Australia.

Answer 8

I don't think of it as misspelled, but I do wonder if someone is trying to be pretentious by using the English spelling, or if they grew up in England, Canada or Oz.

Answer 9

I usually recognize it as British English and don't judge it to be mispelled...just spelled differently...I interchange some spellings a lot myself (I use u a lot, not intentionally, such as honour and colour and favourite...how I acquired this habit I have no idea)

Answer 10

I am Canadian and personally perfer the British spelling. However, we spell the words the same way. Cheers.