Is British spelling better than American spelling?

[Steve]

Do prefer British spelling of words to the Amercan verions? (ie: color or colour)

So I guess I'm asking which is your favourite?

And a question do Canadians, New Zealand Natives, or Australians use the Brit or U.S. spelling?

[IamConnie]

I have a tendency to alternate between the two. Subconciously, I have a tendency to use British, but then my spell check reminds me that I'm in America (ironically, I've never even been to England).

[31899]

And a question do Canadians, New Zealand Natives, or Australians use the Brit or U.S. spelling?

Yes, although it's more of a terms thing when it comes to things like websites. In North America we don't say Water Closet/W.C. or mobile very often (unless you are 31899.) Personally I prefer British English over Canadian English, part of it being technically we are speaking dialect and the other part being I like the terms a bit better. But if I had to choose between a Common Wealth Country and American English I would choose the Common Wealth Country.

31899

[Taq]

I prefer American spelling since I like conciseness.

For measurements, though, Metric >> American since the former is much more intuitive.

[Anna><>]

Spellings- I use them interchangeably. I sometimes write colour but other times color. It really doesn't make much of a difference to me, and I live in Canada.

Metric, however, is a gagillion times than american measurements. And celsius is better than fahrenheit.

[StrongNChrist]

I prefer American spelling. I was raised on American rather then British so adding it the British style is too confusing for me.

I also use American measurements such as fahrenheit. I've been taught how to figure out the degree in both if I have one already but its too confusing for me and since Americans use fahrenheit all the time and not celsius I just stick with fahrenheit.

[Catspaw]

I'm a Canadian and I use Canadian (British) spelling - I almost always put in the extra "u" on words like colour and favourite. There are words used in Britain that aren't used here very often, or that are used differently, but that doesn't involve spelling, which is the topic title. I do enjoy hearing some British words, though, like daft. It's just fun!

[Sherlock]

I do enjoy hearing some British words, though, like daft. It's just fun!

I like "knackered." Way more fun than saying "exhausted."


I typically use American spelling but in Britain I had to learn to accommodate the alternative spelling rules. This wasn't too much of a problem as far as the "u" is concerned but I have a really hard time with my "s" and "z" replacements (specialised, recognised, etc). I just have to make sure that my spell checker is on before I submit work, otherwise spelling neighborhood without the "u" or dropping in the odd "z" will get a snarky spelling comment from the person reading it.

[Moontide]

I use both, though I tend to like the shorter one better.

[Josef1004]

I prefer American spelling since I like conciseness.

For measurements, though, Metric >> American since the former is much more intuitive.

What you call American is originally English, is it not? And how is metric more intuitive? If you think about actual practice, don't you think the English units more conveniently fit real life measuring needs?

As to spellings: I think British spellings are more concise because they avoid having two words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. Examples: Tyre vs. Tire, Cheque vs. Check.

[American Eagle]

I prefer the American version of most everything. Why say "colour" when there is a shorter, just-as-accurate version of it? In general, I live in America, so my writing will adapt to my surroundings. If I lived in England, I would most certainly switch to their formatting. It's mostly just a matter of location.

Water closet. That cracks me up.

[Josef1004]

I prefer the American version of most everything. Why say "colour" when there is a shorter, just-as-accurate version of it? In general, I live in America, so my writing will adapt to my surroundings. If I lived in England, I would most certainly switch to their formatting. It's mostly just a matter of location.

Water closet. That cracks me up.

especially if you've heard the story of the w.c. !

[Anna><>]

Cheque is definately the way to say it. Who says check??? Honestly, when I went to USA in the summer I told them they were messed up because of saying check! haha, to each his own I suppose

[Steve]

I personaly think that British is better. It looks more accurate to me. Which is funny because I'm from the middle of the Midwest. And British, Australian and Canadian expressions are far cooler than American ones.

("You daft man! It's in the water closet mate!")

[Sapphire]

I love British spelling the best, but I use the American most of the time.

[Marvin D.]

I use British spelling sometimes, but people always ask where I'm from, so I stick with American spelling. But sometimes, in real life, I'll talk in my best British accent (which sounds terrible, mind you) just for fun.

[Taq]

I prefer American spelling since I like conciseness.

For measurements, though, Metric >> American since the former is much more intuitive.

What you call American is originally English, is it not? And how is metric more intuitive? If you think about actual practice, don't you think the English units more conveniently fit real life measuring needs?

Sure, I just said American because I'm in the US

1 kilometer = 1000 meters vs 1 mile = 5280 foot
1 meter = 100 centimeters vs 1 foot = 12 inches
1 kilogram = 1000 grams vs 16 ounces
0 degrees C is freezing vs 32 degrees F
100 degrees C is boiling vs 212 degrees F (had to look up the latter!)

I said intuitive because metric conversions make sense (especially freezing and boiling points!) and are easier for me to remember. Plus in higher math and science you have to use the metric system to communicate with the rest of the world (research).

In actual practice, it is easier to go along with the flow. I used to like running 1 mi (American) and still do, but now I like running 5 K (Metric) too.

[Termite]

I'll use British spelling if I've read Jane Austen recently.

[SivartM]

I use the British spellings sometimes for my own personal satisfaction, because I like them, but if you use them in the United States people look at you funny.

We should start a club: "I'm not from Britain, but I might as well be."

[Lee]

I like grey instead of gray. and I didn't vote... I really dont have a preference.