A lot of English learners find it difficult to comprehend the differences between American and British spellings in their works. For example, some writers can not categorically state that “centre” is the British spelling, while “center” is the American spelling. Erroneously, they use them interchangeably without respect for the universally adopted versions in Nigerian English, i.e. British versions should be used at all times because they introduced the language to us during colonial era.
For clarification, words ending in -ise are not really common in American English, e.g. realize, terrorize and recognize. In contrast, British English popularly adopts -ise, though -ize is occasionally used. The Oxford International English also claims that British English reserves the spelling of words sourced from other languages, mainly French and German. It also explains that American English spellings are based mostly on how the words sound.
Study the following spelling differences between British and American English:
Several medical, scientific, or technical words sourced from Ancient Greek have an -ae- in British English. Whilst in United States English, they have only -e-.
Study the following example sentences:
The gynaecologist presented the report to Mr President on Friday. (British English)
The gynecologist presented the report to Mr President on Friday. (American English)
When was the paediatrician arrested? (British English)
When was the pediatrician arrested? (American English)
Other examples: aeon, aesthetic, anaesthesia and anaemia are British spelling, while eon, esthetic, anesthesia and anemia are American versions.
Most nouns ending in -ence in British English change to -ense in the United States. -ense is also adopted for the verb forms in the United Kingdom.
The judge comically asked the suspect, “What is your offence?” (British English)
The judge comically asked the suspect, “What is your offense?” (American English)
How many private schools received their licences from their state governments? (British English)
How many private schools received their licenses from their state governments? (American English)
What is the pretence all about? (British English)
What is the pretense all about? (American English)
The influential figure received a licence (noun) to establish a private university. (British English)
The private university was licensed (verb) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. (British English)
In the United States, French-originated words ending in -re are replaced with -er. Of course, British English retains them.
Examples:
John bought ten litres of petrol on Monday. (British English)
John bought ten liters of petrol on Monday. (American English)
Adamu’s best friend gained admission to the University of Abuja to study theatre arts. (British English)
Adamu’s best friend gained admission to the University of Abuja to study theater arts. (American English)
The civil servants protested against the meagre salaries they received in July. (British)
The civil servants protested against the meager salaries they received in July. (American)
meagre, metre, theatre, calibre, etc. (British English)
meager, meter, theater, caliber, etc. (American English)
In the spelling of certain nouns and verbs, the last consonants are usually doubled in American English, whereas British English omits them. There are exceptions though (e.g. counsellor).
Consider the following sentence examples:
Over fifty students were successfully enrolled during the last examination. (American English)
Over fifty students were successfully enroled during the last examination. (British English)
The vice chancellor charged the newly admitted students to be skillful. (American English)
The vice chancellor charged the newly admitted students to be skilful. (British English)
The principal ordered her staff members to instill discipline in the students. (American English)
The principal ordered her staff members to instil discipline in the students. (American English)
Exception:
Five counsellors were employed after their interview with the hiring team. (British English)
Five counselors were employed after their interview with the hiring team. (American English)
Other words commonly spelt differently are below:
What is your best colour? (British English)
What is your best color? (American English)
The woman has no sense of humour. (British English)
The woman has no sense of humor. (American English)
I sincerely apologize for the misconstrued post. (British English)
I sincerely apologise for the misconstrued post. (American English)
God’s work is marvellous in our sights. (British English)
God’s work is marvelous in our sights. (American English)
Who stole the girl’s jewellery? (British English)
Who stole the girl’s jewelry? (American English)
May our parents reap the fruits of their labour. (British English)
May our parents reap the fruits of their labor. (American English)
Assignment
Attempt the following questions:
The _______ was sacked for dereliction of duty by the management on Friday. (a) counselor (b) counsellor © counsillor
The female supervisor’s ______ infuriated her director (a) pretense (b) pretence (c) pretend
Six __________ just arrived for the scheduled operation. (a) gynaecologists (b) gynecologists (b) gynacologists
Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Yahyah Aishat, Victor Bawa, Alade Charity, Bello Sulaimon, Okere Chigozi, Ahmed Roqeeb, Rasheed Fatah, Genesis Johnson, Adebayo Bukola, Banjo Victoria, Adeniji Mattew, Sultan Musa, Olalomirin Pelumi, Adeyemi Abigael, Adedigba Emmanuel, Babatunde Esther and Alimi Olive
