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Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704


0 posted 2000-04-03 07:21 AM


I was wondering about the basic differences in spelling between American and English Spelling...

I, of course, being from that little stroke on the map near Australia spell in English English (hehe) and I swear some people who come here think I am a terrible speller.

EG
My favourite colour is blue and it was heartening to realise Passions was blue when first I visited
here!

Now all of you Americans will find that sentence full of garish spelling mistakes.

(Jim - remember the incident of 'defenceless'? Hehe)

So - I often wonder if the flow of my poetry is totally interrupted while multitudes of Americans either mentally translate my spelling or think I am a complete ignoramus who can't spell!

So - what do you think? In your opinions would it be better if there were ONE form of common spelling within the English Language - given the advance into global communication? Or should we celebrate our differences?

K

 'Writing sharpens life;
life enriches writing'
Sylvia Plath

© Copyright 2000 Kamla Mahony - All Rights Reserved
jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
1 posted 2000-04-03 08:50 AM


Kamla:

You'll get no arguments from me.  "Defence" seems to be a bit of a stretch for me but, as long as the speller is English, Australian, or New Zealandish (?) I have no trouble with its use.  What do you ask ... Canadians? ... no, the spelling variations are not okay for Canadians.   The "u" in colour, armour, flavour, etc. is fine with me too ... kinda makes your language look like French but, hey, whatever floats your boat (heh-heh ... do New Zealanders have the same feelings for the French that the English do?).

Gotta go for now.

Jim

P.S.  (Old) Zealand is an island just to the east of Denmark and to the south of Sweden.  Just thought you might like to know.

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 2000-04-03 08:25 PM


Since I read a lot of British prose (being the Anglophile I am) I never noticed!
Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187
St. Paul, MN
3 posted 2000-04-03 11:30 PM


I don't even notice the extra "u"s or the change of "z"s to "s"s.  Show's how observant I am...  The "s"s don't sit well with me, but I kind of like the added "u".  LOL
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
4 posted 2000-04-04 06:44 AM


Who are we, as Americans, to argue with the guys who spelled it first?? If we're going to make adjustments for our own purposes, the least we can do is honor the original, ya know??

However, misspellings (and/or misuse) outside of this domain happen to give me a proverbial headache..

Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
5 posted 2000-04-06 06:30 PM


Oh dear, Nan, I hope I didn't give you too many headaches.  

I always thought I wrote English English and some people even tried to correct me.   Somehow my subconscious must have listened, because I noticed I changed my "realise" to "realize". I suppose I better make up my mind huh ?  

Personally I enjoy the difference within the English language and hope there will never be one form of common spelling.

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
6 posted 2000-04-06 11:39 PM


Nope - No headaches from you, Munda... You're written English is much better than lots of native types...
jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
7 posted 2000-04-07 11:21 AM


I agree with you Munda.  I think the differences in the language caused by geography and differences in culture makes for a more interesting language.  As long as the spelling differences are deliberate I have no problems with them.  I know it might seem like I'm walking defence ... er ... the fence on this one but, hey, sue me.  

Jim

Poertree
Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359
UK
8 posted 2000-04-08 04:46 PM


Definitely celebrate our differences LK ... just so long as they remember that we're right and they're wrong...

SP

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
9 posted 2000-04-11 12:33 PM


Durned furr-in-ers!

Actually, one of the things I've always loved about you girl is the "funny" way you talk!  

Celebrate the differences!!!

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