American vs. British English... what about international English?

Students of mine have often got confused about the spelling of certain words, like program and programme. I tell them that ”program” is US and “programme” is UK spelling. They ask me which one they should use; I personally don’t care. I’m no advocate of one or the other; however, I have heard some people say they prefer the UK version because that is “real” English. This makes me smile, because they usually say that when they don’t realise that I am, actually, from the US.

In the end, “programme” is not ”real” English; it is French-influenced-English. According to the book “The Story of English” by Robert McCrum, Robert MacNeil and William Cran, it’s really hard to decide where “real” English is spoken. There are so many different forms in so many different places influenced by other languages. In fact, the book says that Shakespearean English was pronounced more like current American pronunciation, with the flat a, than current British pronunciation, and one would assume that Shakespearean English is “real” English, wouldn’t one?

But real or not, what is happening in Europe at the moment is an added phenomenon in the story of English. I would say an international form is developing. It is a form of English devoid of “local colour” (UK spelling): devoid of idioms and proverbs and funny metaphors. It is a flattened form that enables non-native speakers to communicate as easily and effectively as possible with each other.

That is why learners of English as a foreign language ought to decide first what they are going to need English for before getting too deeply into the discussion of US vs. UK English. If you are planning on becoming a linguist and studying the language in depth, then the question is indeed valid. But if you are going to be talking to other non-natives about your work and the most important thing is getting the job done, then I wouldn’t worry about it too much. However, your spelling should be consistent, and a good dictionary can help you there.

And that’s all for now, folks!

Julia