Canada's Carney called out for 'utilizing' British spelling
They note that Canadian English is unique because it borrows influence from both the US and the UK due to geography and history.
In an open letter, they asked Carney to stick to Canadian English, writing that it is "a matter of our national history, identity and pride".
Canadian English has been the standard in government communications for decades. But eagle-eyed linguists and editors have spotted British spellings — like "globalisation" and "catalyse" — in documents from the Carney government, including the budget.
Canadian language experts are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to ditch British spelling in official documents, and 'utilize' Canadian spelling instead.
It also includes "Canadianisms" that are unique to the country's lexicon, like the use of the word "toque" to describe a winter hat, or "washroom" instead of the American bathroom or the British loo.
A big distinction between Canadian and British spelling is the use of the letter 'z' versus 's' in words like analyse. But Canadian English takes from British English in other ways, like using 'ou' in colour, rather than the American 'color'.
Other British terms, however, are never used, like tyre for 'tire'.
In the letter, dated 11 December and shared with BBC News, the linguists wrote that Canadian English is recognised and widely used in Canada, arguing that "if governments start to use other systems for spelling, this could lead to confusion about which spelling is Canadian."
They add that using Canadian English is "the simplest way to take an 'elbows up' stance", referencing an ice hockey term that Carney has used to describe Canada's defiance in the face of US tariffs and 51st state jabs from President Donald Trump.
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