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Most software (including MS stuff and Firefox) lets you set the spellcheck to British English (or even Australian, Canadian, etc).


Interestingly, -ize isn't necessarily not British English. The OED prefers the -ize suffix. It came up on an episode of Inspector Morse, once (who considered -ize correct as well).

Surely only a matter of time before American English takes over the English speaking world. Pride can only keep practicality at bay for so long.



Loz Wrote:

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> You want to try being a computer programmer


I always wondered what it must be like being a non-english speaking programmer. All keywords and library classes/methods being in a foreign language must put you at a disadvantage!

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Surely only a matter of time before American

> English takes over the English speaking world.

> Pride can only keep practicality at bay for so

> long.


A friend who did a TEFL course told me that most language schools abroad value speakers of American English over UK, apparently because it works better in an international business environment, though I think it must also be easier to learn due to the narrower vocabulary Americans tend to use and the way other accents have played into it.


Writing's on the wall, folks.

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Surely only a matter of time before American English takes over the English speaking world.

> Pride can only keep practicality at bay for so long.


Most European second-language speakers I know want to learn the British version (or International English, as it's also known).


They still all end up with slight American accents, though.

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> It's thanks to the Americans that we can go abroad

> and most people speak "our" language.


Rewriting history? English is the Cheshire Cat grin of British colonialism. If the Dutch hadn't traded Manhattan for nutmegs, it could all have been very different. Je weet nooit.

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