American English Vs. British English; SPELLING

British English has a tendency to respect the pronunciation of many words of French origin and Americans often take away words “that are not necessary”, and usually don't respect the pronunciation of word of French origin to give a pronunciation “more American”.

To be sure which version you use, first, you must consider the nationality of the people that you are addressing, and secondly, you must be consistent to be using British English or American English.

Most dictionaries include both spellings and make note of the two spellings. In many American dictionaries, the difference is included in brackets, for example: Labo(u)r, Colo(u)r, etc.

And in British dictionaries, make note of the difference in brackets immediately after the headword. For example: watch (plural: watches).

American English spelling sometimes doesn’t double the consonant at the end of a word, while British English spelling does. Especially when the consonant is an “l”. For example: British: travel, traveller, travelling and American: travel, traveler, traveling.

-ise and –ize: spelling with –ise is more used in British English and the spelling –ize is more used by American people. For example: realise - realize.

-ae/oe and –e: British use –ae and –oe and American use –e: Example: BrE anaesthetic, foetus, encyclopaedia. AmE anesthetic, fetus, encyclopedia.

-ou and –o: Examples: BrE: colour, honour, labour, mould. AmE: color, honor, labor, mold.

-en and –in: Examples: BrE: enclose, enquiry, ensure. AmE: inclose, inquiry, insure.

-re and –er: Examples: BrE: centre, litre,theatre, fibre. AmE: center, liter, theater, fiber.

-ce and –se: Examples: BrE: defence, offence, licence. AmE: defense, offense, license. 

And Finally, you can see other spellings:

British English              American English

cheque                            check

moustache                     mustache

storey                              story

tyre                                  tire

tsar                                  czar

pyjamas                          pajamas

programme                    program

kidnapper                       kidnaper

analogue                         analog

catalogue                        catalog

Sources: “The English Language”, David Crystal

The new Oxford American dictionary.

A dictionary of spelling British and American, Michael West, D,Phil. http://www.transpanish.biz/es/ingles.html

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/British_and_American_English

María Durán Martínez