Have you noticed lately that people in the United States have been using the British spellings of words again?

Answer 1

That's interesting ... but I think people on both sides of the pond have a tendency to get overly exercised about these slight differences. Neither is more "correct" than the other.

I am English, but as an Anglo-Italian, I prefer the American spelling of words like "color" and "flavor" (even though I don't use them myself), as they are closer to the original Latin roots of those words. I guess the -our endings in British English are indicative of a Norman French etymology. It is odd that we spell these words in different ways, as European migration to America did not begin until a good 400 years after the end of the Norman period.

But when all is said and done, I am very much in favour of individual choice and freedom in communication, both spoken and written. There is far too much pointless preciousness about spelling.

Answer 2

I wouldn't be suprised with the high levels of Europeans moving/traveling here to the states (most of them learn British English because of their proximity). I also think that globalization plays a huge role. With English becoming a dominant world language many people are learning it. Many of them however, choose to learn British English because this is considered the more formal dialect. I occasionally see British spelling while in different forums on the net.

Answer 3

You see the occasional building labelled "Centre", but other than that, we use only American spellings. There's no point to using British spellings because we are Americans. Centralized makes more sense than centralised because the sound is a "z". Color makes more sense than colour because what's the point of the "u" there anyway? British spelling differences are archaisms and based on medieval French spellings originally. But, then again, the whole system is based on 900-year-old Norman French spelling rules anyway.

Answer 4

We in Australia use the British spellings, but actually I can't see the point of some of them. For instance, "color" is the original Latin spelling. Why do we include the "u"?

It can't be from French, as they spell it "couleur".

Answer 5

Sounds odd to me.

Which words ? Not colour or flavour surely ?

Answer 6

I haven't noticed this phemonena you speak of.

Answer 7

Like what?

Answer 8

I hope they do. Its the proper way. This is because it was the first way. I think its silly to have differences... Like color and colour... Its just annoying...

Answer 9

have they?