Key Takeaways
- The Canadian government’s recent use of British spelling in official documents has sparked controversy among linguistics experts and editors.
- Canadian English has its own unique spelling system, which is distinct from both American and British English.
- The use of Canadian spelling is seen as an important aspect of the country’s identity and culture.
- A group of linguistics experts and editors have written to the Prime Minister, urging the government to stick to Canadian English spelling in all official documents.
- Canadian English has evolved over time, influenced by the country’s history, geography, and cultural diversity.
Introduction to the Controversy
The use of British spelling in official Canadian government documents has sparked a debate among linguistics experts and editors. A group of five linguistics experts and an editors association representative have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressing their concern over the recent trend. They argue that the use of British spelling, such as "utilisation" instead of "utilization", sends the wrong message to the world and undermines the unique identity of Canadian English. The letter, shared with The Canadian Press, notes that Canadian spelling is widely used and consistently applied in Canada, and that the government’s use of British spelling could lead to confusion about which spelling is Canadian.
The Importance of Canadian Spelling
The letter writers emphasize that Canadian spelling is a vital element of the country’s unique identity and culture. They argue that the use of Canadian spelling is not just a matter of preference, but a way to assert the country’s independence and distinctiveness. Canadian English has evolved over time, influenced by the country’s history, geography, and cultural diversity. It has borrowed words and phrases from Indigenous languages, as well as from European and global contexts. The letter writers argue that Canadian English is a distinctive national variety of English, recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary, and that it should be preserved and promoted.
The Evolution of Canadian English
Canadian English has a unique history, shaped by the country’s geographic proximity to the United States, as well as its historical ties to Britain. The letter writers note that Canadian English has evolved through Loyalist settlement after the American Revolutionary War, subsequent waves of English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish immigration, and from European and global contexts. Today, Canadian English reflects global influences and cultures from around the world, as well as containing words and phrases from Indigenous languages. The letter writers argue that Canadian English is a unique aspect of the country’s culture and identity, and that it should be preserved and promoted.
The Debate over Canadian Spelling
The debate over Canadian spelling is not new, and opinions on what exactly is Canadian can vary widely. The letter writers acknowledge that Canadians often borrow from both Britain and the United States, and that there is no one "right" way to spell words. However, they argue that the Canadian style has its own distinct features, which should be preserved and promoted. For example, Canadians often opt for the British spelling of certain words, such as "cheque" instead of "check", while avoiding the American version of other words, such as "manoeuvre" instead of "maneuver".
The Call to Action
The letter writers urge the Prime Minister’s Office, the Canadian government, and Parliament to stick to Canadian English spelling in all official documents. They argue that this is a matter of national history, identity, and pride, and that it is the simplest way to take an "elbows up" stance. The letter writers believe that the use of Canadian spelling is essential to preserving the country’s unique identity and culture, and that it should be promoted and preserved for future generations. The Prime Minister’s Office has not responded to a request for comment on the letter, but the debate over Canadian spelling is likely to continue in the coming months.