Why are some American words spelt differently?

In the 1800s American spelling began to differ from that of British English.

You are going to hear about the key figure in this change – the lexicographer and teacher Noah Webster.

1. Which word do you not expect to hear?

• typesetter 
• academy
• teacher
• northern 
• laugh

Listen once to find out :

1. What Webster did?
2. Why he did it?

Photo by Heather Temske CC BY 2.0,

Listening comprehension: True or False?

1. Noah Webster created the first dictionary.
2. Webster wanted more phonetic spelling.
3. Some of Webster’s spelling changes did not survive.
4. Webster made typesetting more difficult.

More Listening materials

• Which countries do not have official language?
• Why does the USA not have an official language?
• Words Shakespeare Invented
• Spelling Bee
• Why are some American words spelt differently?
• 
  About the English language