Vive la Difference

No, this article isn't about sex, but it should be of interest to both sexes. It's a brief look at some differences between Australian English and American English. Many of the references to Australian English will apply equally to British English - but not all, so I'll let the British be the judge of that.

Spelling

I often append the words "Australian English" to my writing, and sometimes I add, as an extra precaution, "Australian Spelling". It still hasn't prevented the occasional American from querying my spelling. Surely, they don't suspect my spelling could be wrong?

There are a few major groups of differences:

The "tre" words -

• In this category we have words such as centre, theatre and spectre. (American = center, theater, specter)

The "ise" words -

• Here you would include realise, recognise and civilise. (American = realize, recognize, civilize.)

The "our" words -

• Examples to consider are favourite, humour, honour and colour. (American = favorite, humor, honor, color.)

The "double consonant" words -

• Examples: travelling and focussed. (American = traveling, focused.)

However, where Americans write willful, Australians write wilful.

The "u" words -

• I mean words such as gauge and baulk. (American = gage, balk.)

Other odd words -

• cheque (that is, a bank cheque) (check)
• dialogue (dialog)
• aluminium (aluminum)
• tyre (on a wheel) (tire)

... and so many more.

Don’t despair about the differences; rejoice that variety is the spice of life and English is such a vibrant living language.

Les Stephenson

Up From Down Under  - April 2009