{"id":982,"date":"2022-08-08T08:27:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T14:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/?p=982"},"modified":"2023-03-22T09:13:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T15:13:26","slug":"common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes","title":{"rendered":"Common Canadian English spelling mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>We \u201cCanucks\u201d often take pride in how we march to the beat of our own drum, and this can be seen in how we spell certain words. Unfortunately, while this may be good for <!--more-->our ego, it can present a challenge to writers, and here are some tips for avoiding some of the most common mistakes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #f2545b;color:#f2545b\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #f2545b;color:#f2545b\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#Why_the_difference\">Why the difference?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#How_are_we_the_same\">How are we the same?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#How_are_we_different\">How are we different?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#Pitfalls_to_avoid\">Pitfalls to avoid<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#Conventions_can_come_to_the_rescue\">Conventions can come to the rescue!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#We_love_local\">We love local<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#Cutting_through_the_confusion\">Cutting through the confusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#A_good_spellcheck_can_be_your_best_friend\">A good spellcheck can be your best friend.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/blog\/common-canadian-english-spelling-mistakes\/#Should_I_use_Canadian_or_American_English\">Should I use Canadian or American English?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2>Why the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>Noah Webster, an American, created a dictionary of accepted spellings for certain words because he wanted to simplify the language. This became widely accepted in the USA, but in Canada, Prime Minister John A. MacDonald strongly felt we should stay true to our British heritage.<\/p>\n<h2>How are we the same?<\/h2>\n<p>For some words, Canadians have, over time, adopted the American version. An example of this is how we use \u201cize\u201d instead of \u201cise\u201d as a suffix for words such as \u201cmonetize\u201d and \u201corganize\u201d. We also favour the \u201cYankee\u201d version when spelling \u201ctire\u201d, \u201caluminum\u201d and \u201ccurb\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>How are we different?<\/h2>\n<p>The variations in spelling in Canadian English may be subtle, but they are there. In many words, such as \u201cneighbours\u201d and \u201chonour\u201d, we include a \u201cu\u201d, while Americans do not. Other examples of the differences can be found in words like \u201camoeba\u201d, \u201ccentre\u201d, \u201cwhisky\u201d and \u201ctheatre\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>Pitfalls to avoid<\/h2>\n<p>While the variations between Canadian and American English may be responsible for some of the more common spelling mistakes, there are lots of other words that tend to be misspelled. This may be because they are complex or don\u2019t follow the accepted rules and conventions. In some cases, this is because their origin is another language, such as French or a First Nations dialect.<\/p>\n<p>Another headache for writers and readers alike may be that many words in Canadian English are not spelled phonetically.<\/p>\n<h2>Conventions can come to the rescue!<\/h2>\n<p>Fortunately for writers north of the 45th parallel, there are some conventions to keep in mind. Many of our words use \u201cize\u201d or \u201cyze\u201d as suffixes, and we tend to include the above-mentioned \u201cu\u201d when spelling words ending in \u201cor\u201d such as \u201chonour\u201d and \u201cvalour\u201d. We prefer \u201cre\u201d instead of \u201cer\u201d when writing \u201ctheatre\u201d or \u201ccentre\u201d, and we also double the \u201cl\u201d at the end of words when adding a suffix, such as \u201ctravelled\u201d and \u201ctravelling\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>We love local<\/h2>\n<p>Another issue to keep in mind when writing for a Canadian audience is regional and even local dialects. For instance, in the province of Nova Scotia, both Acadian and true French as well as Gaelic and Migmaw have strongly influenced the spelling of some words, especially place names such as \u201cLouisbourg\u201d \u201cBen Eoin\u201d and \u201cMembertou\u201d. When appropriate, using these can create pieces that are more engaging and speak to those who live in the area.<\/p>\n<h2>Cutting through the confusion<\/h2>\n<p>As Canadian English tends to be a blend of the American and British with other languages thrown in for good measure, there are occasions where there are no basic conventions of spelling to follow. A good rule of thumb is to utilize reliable dictionaries such as the Collins Canadian Dictionary or the Gage Canadian Dictionary. The first spelling listed in these texts is the one that tends to be preferred by most Canadians.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to units of measurement, National Standards of Canada has established accepted terms. These include \u201clitre\u201d, \u201cmetric ton\u201d and the prefix \u201cdeca-\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>A good spellcheck can be your best friend.<\/h2>\n<p>Find and utilize high-quality spellchecking software. Make sure it&#8217;s set for Canadian English, and it will help to ensure your spellings are correct. Another resource available online is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca\/tpv2guides\/guides\/wrtps\/index-eng.html?lang=eng&amp;lettr=indx_catlog_s&amp;page=983VsuMAkWXs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Frequently Misspelled Words List<\/a> prepared by Public Works and Government Services Canada. This is part of its Writing Tips Plus toolkit, and is administered by the federal government.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lukemastin.com\/testing\/spelling\/cgi-bin\/database.cgi?database=spelling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LukeMastin.com<\/a> also offers a great at-a-glance alphabetical list of the differences between Canadian, British and American spellings.<\/p>\n<h2>Should I use Canadian or American English?<\/h2>\n<p>The first step in choosing which spelling to use is to decide which audience you are writing to. If it&#8217;s American, use the spelling that is accepted there. If your target is going to be mostly Canadian, then use that country&#8217;s conventions. If it&#8217;s intended for readers from around the globe, it can become a bit more difficult.<\/p>\n<p>There are several different factors to take into consideration. Some feel that UK English should be used while others favour the American dialect and spelling. Doing a bit of research before you begin to write can help you to decide which will be the best one for you to follow for a particular piece.<\/p>\n<p>If you are writing about a specific institution, such as the Center for Disease Control, use the officially accepted spelling.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you know about some of the contortions of Canadian spelling, you will be able to create pieces that speak to a local, regional or even national audience. Put your new skills to good use by applying to <a href=\"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/apply-to-be-a-writer\">join the team at Words of Worth<\/a> today, so you can start writing from home.<\/p>\n<div role=\"form\" class=\"wpcf7\" id=\"wpcf7-f76-p76-o2\" lang=\"en-CA\" dir=\"ltr\"><div><div class=\"wpcf7-form\"><div class=\"fit-the-fullspace\"><div><div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div><form action=\"\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982#wpcf7-f76-p76-o2\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" enctype=\"\" autocomplete=\"autocomplete\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\" locale=\"en_CA\"><div style=\"display: block;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"76\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_CA\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f76-p76-o2\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_fit-the-fullspace\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/div><p><label> Your name<br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"your-name\" \/><\/span> <\/label>\n<\/p>\n<p><label> Your email<br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-email\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" autocomplete=\"email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"your-email\" \/><\/span> <\/label>\n<\/p>\n<p><label> Subject<br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-subject\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"your-subject\" \/><\/span> <\/label>\n<\/p>\n<p><label> Your message (optional)<br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-message\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"10\" maxlength=\"2000\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"your-message\"><\/textarea><\/span> <\/label>\n<\/p>\n<p><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div><\/form><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We \u201cCanucks\u201d often take pride in how we march to the beat of our own drum, and this can be seen in how we spell certain words. Unfortunately, while this may be good for Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-tricks"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=982"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1176,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982\/revisions\/1176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordsofworth.org\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}