Why not make written British English and US English the same?

Question

British English uses words like "colour" and "cheque"; US English uses "color" and "check".  I'm American, but we know what "colour" and "cheque" and other British spellings of words are; it's the same language.  It's pointless to have different spellings of the same word.

Why not make British English and US English the same?  I'm American and we can add a "u" to "color" and replace "ck" with que" in "check".  We can even spell "curb" to be "kerb" if you want. Or Britons can change their spellings.

Why not do that, and eliminate unnecessary differences?

capitalgentleman · Accepted Answer

Blame Webster.  When he made his dictionary for Americans, he changed spellings to what he thought was better.  The rest of the world pretty much did not do this.  Americans can change back if they like, but I doubt they will.

Anonymous · Answer

Let's not.

We don't need Universal English!

? · Answer

It's because no one has privilege to "correct" spellings.  Britain and America are two different countries and nobody can say whose spellings are better over the others.

Anonymous · Answer

Because it's not a problem to most people.  Why don't you just butt out and leave them alone.

Cogito · Answer

There are hundreds (or maybe even thousands) of such words - and even more cases where entirely different words and phrases are used.
So how do you propose we implement your idea?
Which country is going to agree to change all those spellings and words?
How are they going to change all their dictionaries, spell-checkers, books, magazines, signs, notices, websites?

Obviously, all that's never going to happen, is it?  Languages differ, they develop and change.  And that's okay.  They don't have to stay the same or change back to be as they once were.

. · Answer

Because you need to acknowledge history of who ruled the world at one time - like the Southern statues.

Why not make written British English and US English the same?

6 Answers