Linguists Criticize Canada’s Carney for Using British Spelling
Canadian linguists and editors are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to use Canadian spelling in official documents. This call comes in response to the recent appearance of British spellings in governmental communications, including the budget. Words like “globalisation” and “catalyse” have raised concerns among language experts, who argue that Canadian English should be preserved as part of the nation’s identity.
Importance of Canadian English
For decades, Canadian English has been the standard for government documentation. The unique vocabulary of Canadian English incorporates elements from both American and British English, leading to distinctive terms. For example, Canadians use “washroom” instead of “bathroom” or “loo,” and “toque” refers to a winter hat.
- Canadian English often uses “ou” in words like “colour.”
- In contrast, it prefers “z” over “s” in words such as “analyze.”
- Moreover, the term “tire” is favored over the British “tyre.”
Despite these differences, British terms have recently found their way into Canadian official language, prompting concerns that it may cause confusion about the national spelling standards.
Open Letter to Prime Minister Carney
On December 11, a group of Canadian linguists and editors sent an open letter to Prime Minister Carney. The letter emphasized the significance of using Canadian English as a matter of national history and pride. It was signed by four university linguistics professors and the editor-in-chief of the Canadian English Dictionary.
Kaitlin Littlechild, president of Editors Canada, pointed out instances where Carney’s office utilized British English. Notably, this includes the government budget from November and a news release from October following Carney’s meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
Reactions from Linguists
Professor Stefan Dollinger from the University of British Columbia expressed concern, stating that “language expresses identity.” He criticized the shift toward British spellings, suggesting that it undermines decades of linguistic evolution since Canada’s colonial past.
Another signatory, JK Chambers from the University of Toronto, humorously noted Carney’s long stint in the UK, suggesting he had adopted some British tendencies. Chambers remarked that using British words might seem regressive given Canada’s unique linguistic identity.
The call to reinforce Canadian English underscores the importance of language in reflecting national character and pride. Continued reliance on British spelling could potentially dilute this identity.
As the debate unfolds, the Prime Minister’s response remains awaited.
