Say Goodbye to 'Colour' and 'Centre': The UK Adopts American Spellings

We were very disturbed to find the following article in the online edition of the Connecticut Express-News.
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London, April 1, 2023—The Brexit vote in 2016 brought about a lot of changes for the United Kingdom, including its relationship with the European Union and its place in the global economy. As the UK looks to establish its new position in the world, it has the opportunity to make some changes that could benefit its people and businesses. One potential benefit is the so-called "Brexit dividend" of spelling reform. By adopting the same spelling as the United States, the UK could make it easier for its people and businesses to communicate with their American counterparts, potentially opening up new markets and opportunities.

The United Kingdom and the United States share a common language, but they use different spellings for some words. For example, the word color is spelled colour in the UK, and the word center is spelled centre. This difference in spelling can cause confusion and make communication more difficult between the two countries. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the UK to use the same spelling as the US.
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In today's world, people communicate with each other across borders more than ever before, thanks to the internet and social media. Spelling differences can cause confusion and misunderstandings, leading to mistakes and even conflicts. Using the same spelling will reduce the chances of miscommunication and make communication smoother.
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Noah Webster, head of the not-for-profit venture Words for Business, said the case for reform to promote consistency and standardization was unanswerable:

When everyone uses the same spelling, it becomes easier to read and write texts. It also helps to establish a standard for education and business, making it easier for people to learn and conduct business across borders.

​Moreover, using the same spelling can also be beneficial for the UK in terms of economics. Since the US is such a large market, it can be advantageous for UK businesses to use the same spelling as their American counterparts. This can help them tap into the American market more easily and expand their reach. It can also make it easier for American businesses to enter the UK market, as they won't have to change their marketing materials or product labels to suit the UK spelling.”

The government is said to be supportive of the move. Meriam Arnold, an official in the Department for Business and Trade commented, “Some people argue that the UK should preserve its own unique spelling, as part of its cultural identity or that the differences in spelling are simply a reflection of the countries' different histories and that they should be celebrated rather than erased".

However, these arguments are irrelevant today. With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, it's more important than ever to promote understanding and cooperation across borders. Using the same spelling is just one small step in that direction. No longer should it be said that the United States and the United Kingdom are two countries divided by a common language.”