Why do Americans spell English differently...?

Question

and when did the different spelling originate?

if we consider the Quebec French versus the mainland French- both speak unique dialects of the one language.

Yet the spelling of French, among many others remains standard- otherwise it would not be understood

Considering American English is one of many sub-sets of British English and that many US published works prior to circa 1900's used identical spelling- why the seemingly arbitrary change?

Without changing spelling, American English is would remain uniquely American as word choice, new words and such are all different and recognisably American- like footpath versus sidewalk...

Don't you think it's a little arbitrary, pointless and silly?

Answer 1

because they can American English isn't much different to British English

Answer 2

I totally agree about it being arbitrary, pointless, and silly.  I agree so much that I'm thinking about sending some American dictionaries over to our Brittish friends so that they can learn how to spell.

Answer 3

It's not a collective decision -- rather, it's a snowball effect. Americans should not be blamed for what they learn in school (just as their teachers should not be blamed for what THEY learned in school...)

Language, although many like to think of it as an aesthetic, is really only in existence for function. Both American and British Englishes work, so there's no use worrying about it. After that, it's simple linguistic drift/evolution.

JB: I learn what I am taught in school. There's nothing at all lazy about that.

Answer 4

In Canada and England the words favor, favorite, neighbor, neighborhood, glamor and glamorous is spelled without the u.

In America those words are spelled without the u.

The u is silent so why bother adding it?

Hey, I'm not saying change the entire vocabulary because it should be the way it is however with words like favor, favorite, neighbor, neighborhood there is an exception.

Answer 5

There's a difference between American and English.

It's just a difference in style.

Answer 6

English spelling is a dogs breakfast because it has influences from so many language groups (germanic, romance, celtic) and unlike a lot of other languages there has never been a viable attempt to really standardize it. American English in a lot of ways resembles an older, perhaps purer form of English, spoken by the pilgrims. In England since then, especially during the industrial revolution, the language changed significantly. But in America many things remained. American English also naturally evolved it's own path, and perhaps because it was a new nation, and not so conservative, simplification of spelling was more accepted therefore became prevalent.

Answer 7

The reason why Americans have different spelling is because a guy named Webster is BRILLIANT. After the revolutionary war Americans were very anti-english and Webster had the brilliant idea of making things different from how the English do it. This is also why we drive on the right side of the road, just back then it was with horse drawn carriages and whatnot. However, thanks to his idea of spelling things differently he made a dictionary with these new words in it and now pretty much every American has at some point used a Webster's dictionary.

Answer 8

Because they find it easier - ask any learner of English as a Second Language (ESL) whether they prefer English or American versions...

I sometimes have difficulty explaining why we (English) spell words differently to the pronounciation.

I will be interested to learn the reasons as well. :-) (sorry my answer wasn't informative...)

Answer 9

um, we spell things the way we do, because professors and teachers are afraid that we will forget how to write. period.

everyone writes in text speech

Answer 10

becuase they can