Sticky Communication

Recently my colleague Judy Gombita questioned my use of American, instead of Canadian, spelling. She suggested I was “pandering” to the Americans.

I became concerned when Judy said she sometimes stops reading Canadians who choose American spelling. I don’t have the numbers to risk losing any readers. I love you all!

In an email exchange, we debated Canadian versus American spelling. I’m sharing the gist here, to calm any Canadians who might stop reading me and to encourage some dialogue about our mashup of flowery British and plain American spelling.

The way I see it. American spelling is a baseball cap. British spelling is the fancy hat.

Canadian spelling is not the winter toque of our stereotype. It’s more like a baseball cap with random feathers. Not a good look.

Pandering is so last century

Before I explain more about why I prefer American spelling, let me stress that I am not one to pander, especially to Americans.

Like most Canadians, I think we’re better than the American because of our much lower rates of crime and gun ownership and somewhat lower levels of obesity and personal debt.  And don’t get me started about their healthcare, racism and Wall street crooks.

Despite this, I have American friends, work for American clients and enjoy American TV, movies and books. Like Judy and I, Canadians and Americans enjoy a lively debate on many issues and sometimes agree to disagree.

To be honest, I feel sorry for those proud Americans, who see their world status sinking while Canadians swim merrily along. But I digress.

Simpler American spelling

I choose American spelling because it is simpler. Why write the Canadian “centre” when “center” is easier to understand. I don’t care about Latin roots.

Then there’s the superfluous “u” we add to “neighbour.” How can that be better than the American “neighbor?”

Judy expressed concern that I might have trouble switching back and forth between different spellings. No problem.

Individual idiosyncrasies

As a freelancer, I often have to adapt to clients’ style idiosyncrasies. This is a particular challenge with capital letters, when one clients wants only proper names and the first word in a headline capitalized, while the next insists on capitalizing every concept currently loved by the CEO.

Then there’s my Canadian client expanding in the U.S. Though corporate insists on Canadian spelling, there’s no way those American employees and customers are going to voluntarily switch.

Style whimsy

Spelling and style are often more whim than Canadian Press Style Guide. For example, I have one client who insists on using the word “alumni.” No good reason, but at least she’s consistent. Unlike the Art Gallery of Ontario and other bipolar places that use both fancy hat “programme” and baseball cap and Canadian “program.”

With all this inconsistency, and my desire to communicate clearly, can you blame me for deciding on my own preferred style when I’m blogging?

As I wrote in my book, Write like you talk–only better, it’s best to pick a style you’re comfortable with and apply it consistently. Unless you’re given box seats at the Royal Ascot and make an exception to dress for the occasion.

Pro-choice spelling

I don’t understand why Canadians like Judy strongly defend our American/British spelling compromise, though I respect their right to choose.

But given the choice, when I’m not writing for clients, I prefer the simpler American spelling. So do other respected Canadian bloggers like Mitch Joel.

I’m surprised that Australians go for the fancy hats, given their reputation for crocodile hunting an surfing. A hangover from colonial times, the influence of Dame Edna or what?

Then again the Aussie blogger Darren Rowse spells mostly American, though he told Judy he encourages his writers to use their country’s choice of spelling.

So tell me, people from outside the United States and United Kingdom, which spelling hats do you wear?

Does it matter if some people prefer fancy hats while others sport baseball caps?

1. Zoomit.ca says:

   July 19, 2010 at 6:21 pm

   Why a proud Canadian spells like an American « Sticky Communication…

   Canadian spelling is an odd compromise of British, fancy hat, and American, baseball cap spelling. It end up looking like a cap with random feathers. Not good. I prefer the simpler American spelling, though many vehemently disagree….