The problem in a nutshell: -ize, -our, and -ll-

If you want quick answers, this is the chapter to read first.

What makes Canadian spelling different?

• The huge majority of English words have identical spellings in all dialects – for example, every word in this sentence uses the same spelling everywhere.
• We use -ize endings the way Americans do: organize, paralyze, decompartmentalization. (We also write cozy.) But a lot of words that look similar are never spelled with -ize by any English-speakers, including arise, exercise and advertise.
• We use -our endings the way the British do: honour, neighbour, colour. But some compounds never use -our for any English-speakers, including coloration.
• Sometimes we double a letter like L or T in verbs and adjectives the way the British do: marvellous, targetted. (Not everyone agrees, and this lack of agreement is a problem.)
• A few isolated words are spelled the British way (cheque [banking]). A few others are spelled the American way (curb [sidewalk edge], tire [automotive]).
• A few verb forms match the American practice, not the British one (oriented, not orientated).
• We drop some Es (movable) and retain some others (axe, catalogue, analogue).
• We differentiate a few noun/verb pairs that use -ice or -ise endings. Nouns like offence and defence are spelled that way, while nouns like licence and practice are paired with verbs like license and practise.

In Canada, it’s incorrect to use all-British spelling (organise, neighbour, marvellous, kerb, tyre). It’s just as incorrect to go American all the way (organize, neighbor, marvelous, curb, tire). If you do either of those things, some of the words you write will be misspelled.

Do you need a handy cheatsheet?

I’ve written a cheatsheet that gives you quickie reminders about Canadian spelling. You can print out an HTML file or a PDF and tape it onto your cubicle wall for quick reference.

Next: Some real research into real spellings →

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