Just watching the news and there was an item about Canadian spelling.

The issue is that words like colour, neighbour, favourite etc are being changed in some text books to the American way - color, neighbor, favorite.

Now from a personal point of view it doesn't bother me either way - each to his own and all that. The issue arises when they then interview the Alberta education minster and ask him "does he think that keeping Canadian spelling is important"

His reply?

"Why, it doesn't bother me either way"

What the hell sort of example is that to set?????? Whether you decide to spell it one way or another - of course it should f****g well bother you that there is some unity across the province and country ffs.

I don't know why this angered me so much but if you can't agree on the basics of education what else can't you make your mind up on

It is just another example of the gradual and full integration of Canada into the American (as in the United States) way of life on a daily basis. Many from outside North America can't tell the difference anyway...

He was probably just hoping they weren't going to ask him to spell something and make him look stupid

I used to feel the same way in the UK when everybody pronounced things the American way harASSment rather than harass ment, Tony Blair saying "period" all the time and don't get me started about September the 11th, what was wrong with the 11th of September

Now I don't give a crap

The arrogance and ignorance of the reigning Conservative provincial government never ceases to amaze.

I blame the voters

Me too.

Yea...what have the voters ever done for us....

Me too. They are happy to be Minimerica.

Its not so much the fact that some of the Albertan schools are changing their spelling, its the fact that a key member of the government doesn't seem to give a monkeys about the fact that Albertan schools are not unified about it.

Apparently Mb, Sk and a few others have specified in ther curriculum 'Canadian Spelling'. In Alberta there is no such thing.

So until there is some sort of consistency across the board, what happens when a child moves province has a spelling test and gets it wrong IN HIS OWN COUNTRY - let alone one who moves between schools in Alberta.

If you want American spelling - go with it and spread the word, same with Canadian. Don't f**k about mish mashing between the two and confusing the kids.

Most over here can't spell those words either way. So, really, its a mute point.

sorry can you speak up?

Mandy it's just Alberta schools not Albertan.

This is a common mistake made by a lot of UK newcomers.

bloody uneducated immigrants

We've all been there at some point.

Does it matter? The wavy line tells you when it's wrong don't it.