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Why not make written British English and US English the same?
British English uses words like "colour" and "cheque"; US English uses "color" and "check". I'm American, but we know what "colour" and "cheque" and other British spellings of words are; it's the same language. It's pointless to have different spellings of the same word.
Why not make British English and US English the same? I'm American and we can add a "u" to "color" and replace "ck" with que" in "check". We can even spell "curb" to be "kerb" if you want. Or Britons can change their spellings.
Why not do that, and eliminate unnecessary differences?
I would propose that the Oxford English Dictionary and maybe the US Department of Education (and UK education authorities) could start by agreeing on the "correct" spellings of words and implementing them.
6 Answers
- capitalgentlemanLv 72 months agoFavorite Answer
Blame Webster. When he made his dictionary for Americans, he changed spellings to what he thought was better. The rest of the world pretty much did not do this. Americans can change back if they like, but I doubt they will.
- Anonymous2 months ago
Let's not.
We don't need Universal English!
- 2 months ago
It's because no one has privilege to "correct" spellings. Britain and America are two different countries and nobody can say whose spellings are better over the others.
- Anonymous2 months ago
Because it's not a problem to most people. Why don't you just butt out and leave them alone.
- CogitoLv 72 months ago
There are hundreds (or maybe even thousands) of such words - and even more cases where entirely different words and phrases are used.
So how do you propose we implement your idea?
Which country is going to agree to change all those spellings and words?
How are they going to change all their dictionaries, spell-checkers, books, magazines, signs, notices, websites?
Obviously, all that's never going to happen, is it? Languages differ, they develop and change. And that's okay. They don't have to stay the same or change back to be as they once were.
- .Lv 72 months ago
Because you need to acknowledge history of who ruled the world at one time - like the Southern statues.
