Why do people spell words differently?

Question

color vs. colour, favorite vs. favourite, etc., etc.

What's up with that?

Answer 1

One is the US way of spelling. The other is British. Language undergoes changes over time and sometimes different groups adopt different spellings.

Answer 2

Mm

Words have always been spellt (or spelled) differently.
With the advent of print in the middle ages this started to change.
As communication between different areas increase some standardisation (standardization) crept in.
With mass communication this increased more.
Often the uses of local words stopped and regional/national words took over.
Spelling in the US tended to be more phonetic that in the UK.
The UK has more influence from its European neighbours.
Some words are even changed to resemble others because people feel they are more correct.

(you should have a think about how people pronounce words and the great vowel shift next )

Answer 3

"American and British English spelling differences became noticeable after the publishing of influential dictionaries. In the early 18th century, spelling in English was not regular. Current British spellings follow, for the most part, those of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755). Some of the now characteristic American spellings were introduced, although often not created, by Noah Webster (An American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828)."

Answer 4

Some words are spelled differently because people still use some of the Old English ways of spelling. I think it's nice and adds colour to our language;)

Answer 5

Colour and Color and Favorite and Favourite, Favor it the american spelling which is closer to Latin, like Honor and neighbor. But the british, Australian, canadian, nz, and most other englishes used the spelling which is closer to French, which is Honour, Neighbour etc.

Answer 6

ok everyone spells words the same-get it right -WORDS now other words has to do with location-especially using the kings english even here in america the u is often added-and savior and saviour -its all about like how we talk pronounciation-the key is to check with websters dictionary to make sure the spelling is ok or okay!

Answer 7

They are just trying to get attention by popularizing the fact of spelling...

Answer 8

because Americans spell one way, British spell different. It's nothing to lose sleep over it!!

Answer 9

It would simplify matters if words were spelt phonetically, don't you agree.

Some words are spelt the same, but have different meanings.

Answer 10

If standarised, due to historical reasons. If not due to spelling problems.