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    CaptainForest's Avatar
    CaptainForest Posts: 3,645, Reputation: 393
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    #1

    Feb 6, 2006, 01:37 PM
    The spelling of words
    Hello.

    Here is something that has been on my mind these last few days. I was hoping someone who knew this could be of assistance.

    In Canada/UK, we spell it colour. The Americans spell it color.

    In Canada, we spell it centre. The Americans spell it center.

    In Canada, we spell it cheque. The Americans spell it check.

    How do people from the UK spell it? Cheque or check? (Used in a sentence: I cashed my pay cheque today).

    Thanks.
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #2

    Feb 7, 2006, 06:17 AM
    Seems UK and Canada both typically use "cheque".

    Found interesting info 'bout it here and here.
    fredg's Avatar
    fredg Posts: 4,926, Reputation: 674
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    #3

    Feb 7, 2006, 06:33 AM
    Hi,
    Good links by rickj, showing many, many different wordings and spellings from all over the World.
    Spelling, as well as pronunciation, depends on the particular culture, and society in general. It is derived from the particular country, being used over and over for centuries, becoming the "standard".
    orange's Avatar
    orange Posts: 1,364, Reputation: 197
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    #4

    Feb 7, 2006, 07:16 AM
    Interesting links, Rick! From the first site, I spell the vast majority of my words like the British. And I thought a lot of the American equivalents were spelling mistakes LOL.
    nwsflash's Avatar
    nwsflash Posts: 530, Reputation: 73
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    #5

    Feb 7, 2006, 01:08 PM
    The UK and Canada spell very alike because they have a very rich European history... Alot of English words come from French, Spanish and German Latin etc- English is one of the worlds hardest languages to learn because a lot of things are said different from the way there spelt, and a word can have the same meaning but be spelt different depending on how its meant.

    In Canada, we spell it cheque. The Americans spell it check.
    In the UK you would use both of the above. We would say Cheque as a Cheque that you would issue on your bank account to pay for goods etc.

    We would use Check, as I went next door to Check the lights where switched off.
    CaptainForest's Avatar
    CaptainForest Posts: 3,645, Reputation: 393
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    #6

    Feb 7, 2006, 02:24 PM
    Great links Rick. Thanks.

    So cheque is the Bristish way.

    And I'm with you on the spelling orange, I thot some of those American words were spelt wrong!! I spell most of my words the British way as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by nwsflash
    In the UK you would use both of the above. We would say Cheque as a Cheque that you would issue on your bank account to pay for goods ect.

    We would use Check, as I went next door to Check the lights where switched off.

    That is the same here in Canada as well.
    CaptainForest's Avatar
    CaptainForest Posts: 3,645, Reputation: 393
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    #7

    Feb 7, 2006, 03:30 PM
    Australia is another British colony like Canada, so my guess is they follow similar suit to the British system.
    nwsflash's Avatar
    nwsflash Posts: 530, Reputation: 73
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    #8

    Feb 7, 2006, 03:44 PM
    I guess the English language is ever growing and changes all the time. I know in the UK that there are always new words been added to the Oxford Dictionary, with new meanings and a new take on the language...

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