User:Mahagaja/Unified English Spelling

In this increasingly globalized world, I say the time has come to abolish all American and British English spelling differences and create a unified spelling for English that will be valid in all English-speaking countries. Where American and British (or more generally, Commonwealth) spelling deviates, one or the other form should be preferred. Which form is preferred should be decided on by a number of different criteria, some of which may conflict with others. The criteria are:

1. Length. In general, the form with fewer letters should be preferred.
2. Etymology. In general, the form that better matches the form used in the source language of the word should be preferred.

British/Commonwealth spelling	American spelling	Unified English Spelling	Reason for preferring the UES
behaviour, colour, flavour, harbour, honour, neighbour, etc.	behavior, color, flavor, harbor, honor, neighbor, etc.	behavior, color, flavor, harbor, honor, neighbor, etc.	Fewer letters; in Latinate words also nearer the etymological source.
centre, fibre, sabre, spectre, theatre, etc.	center, fiber, saber, specter, theater, etc.	centre, fibre, sabre, spectre, theatre, etc.	Nearer the etymological source in most cases (centrum, fibra, sabre, spectrum and θέατρον have no vowel between the r and the consonant preceding it)
-ise/-isation	-ize/-ization	-ize/-ization	Nearer the etymological source
analogue, catalogue, dialogue, demagogue, pedagogue, monologue, homologue, etc.	analog, catalog, dialog, demagog, pedagog, monolog, homolog, etc.	analog, catalog, dialog, demagog, pedagog, monolog, homolog, etc.	Fewer letters, nearer the etymological source. And no different spellings for different meanings (e.g. non-technical analogue, dialogue vs. technical analog, dialog)!
anaemia, anaesthesia, caesium, diarrhoea, encyclopaedia, foetus, gynaecology, homoeopathy, haemophilia, leukaemia, mediaeval, oesophagus, oestrogen, orthopaedic, paediatric, etc.	anemia, anesthesia, cesium, diarrhea, encyclopedia, fetus, gynecology, homeopathy, hemophilia, leukemia, medieval, esophagus, estrogen, orthopedic, pediatric, etc.	anaemia, anaesthesia, caesium, diarrhoea, encyclopaedia, fetus, gynaecology, homoeopathy, haemophilia, leukaemia, mediaeval, oesophagus, oestrogen, orthopaedic, paediatric, etc.	Closer to the etymological source; for learned words like these that trumps word length (note fetus, however, for which foetus is just a flowery misspelling of the Latin)
counsellor, equalling, initialled, marvellous, modelling, quarrelled, traveller, woollen	counselor, equaling, initialed, marvelous, modeling, quarreled, traveler, woolen	counselor, equaling, initialed, marvelous, modeling, quarreled, traveler, woolen	Fewer letters
enrol(ment), fulfil(ment), instal(ment), skilful	enroll(ment), fulfill(ment), install(ment), skillful	enrol(ment), fulfil(ment), instal(ment), skilful	Fewer letters
axe, calliper, camomile, cheque, draught, jewellery, liquorice, mould, moult, plough, programme, storey, sulphur, yoghurt	ax, caliper, chamomile, check, draft, jewelry, licorice, mold, molt, plow, program, story, sulfur, yogurt	ax, caliper, camomile, check, draft, jewelry, licorice, mold, molt, plow, program, story, sulfur, yogurt	Fewer letters
sceptic	skeptic	skeptic	Better reflects the pronunciation
grey	gray	???	Even in Old English spelling varied between grēġ and grǣġ. I think we're just going to have to flip a coin on this one.

Note: I don't and won't follow these suggestions in my Wikipedia writing, because this mishmash is not standard spelling anywhere. No do I seriously expect it ever to become standard spelling across the world. This is just my fantasy about how things oughta be, and would be if I were in charge. Keep that in mind if I ever become the benevolent dictator of the planet.