"Jeremy \"UncleHoot\" Praay" <jer### [at] questsoftwarecmo> wrote:
> In the US, it's always "License" all the time.  In the UK and Canada, it
> depends on whether it's a noun (Licence) or verb (License).  Not sure about
> Australia, but I'd guess they follow the UK's advice.
>
> So, what is the correct spelling if I'm posting here?
>
> What if I'm posting to a UK based Web Forum?  What if the server is located
> in the UK, but 99% of the posters are American?  What if it's an equal mix
> of Americans and Brits?
>
> Do I always spell with an "S" because I'm from America and that's just how
> we do it?  George W. Bush would probably say "Yes", but I'm not so sure.
>
> Then there are all of the other spellings of words like "centre" and
> "colour", but if you spell those, everyone knows you're not American, but if
> you spell it "Licence", we just think you can't spell.
>
> ...and while I'm at it, has anyone else noticed that "then" has begun
> replacing "than" at an alarming rate?  I used to see this mistake once in
> awhile, but lately, I see it on every forum I visit, even places where you'd
> only expect to see highly educated posters.  It baffles me.
>
> Please don't take this post too seriously...  ;-)

My vote is in favor of preserving the distinction between the noun and the verb.
This is, however, a mere stylistic preference. Since it is rather unlikely that
context would fail to establish whether the term "license" is being used as a
noun or a verb, I can see no serious reason why you should not go ahead and use
which ever version you feel most comfortable with. Similarly, one might just as
well use either "color" or "colour" according to personal preference.

"Then" and "than", however, are two different words with entirely different
meanings. Irritation at one being used in place of the other is fully
justified.

My two pet peeves in this area the frequent use of the non-words "irregardless"
and "donut" by people who really ought to know better and the mistaken
inclusion of these terms in the word lists of numerous software spelling
checkers. (One acts either with regard for a given factor or regardless of that
factor. "Irregardless" is a nonsense term.  Torus-shaped pastries are made from
"dough", not "do".)

Few events in history have been scarier than "nuclear" weapons coming under the
control of someone who could not pronounce the term correctly. (Fortunately,
this individual has been dispresidentified.)

Among the many interesting things that I learned for the excellent television
series, "The Story of English", is that the notion that each English word
should have exactly one correct and unvarying spelling is far more American
than British in origin.  I believe that individual writers should earnestly
seek a constructive and rational balance between formal correctness and the
creative possibilities opened up by embracing evolving and experimental forms.
While correctness for correctness' sake is often little more than an attempt to
cloak cultural prejudice in an aura of respectability, there is also room for
legitimate concern that the language that we as a society rely upon for
meaningful discourse not go the way of Lewis Carroll's Humpty Dumpty.

Generally, I try to follow the guideline that advocates accepting variations in
usage that reflect informed exercise of free will on the part of the author,
while challenging those that represent a lack of understanding or coherence.
Discerning which is which is often a judgment call wherein one ought to be duly
mindful of one's own fallibility.

Best Regards Two Y'all,
Mike C.

Post a reply to this message