# Do other languages have the two correct spellings for the same word? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2023, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558 "2023-10-14T11:54:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/21 "2023-10-14T15:06:23Z")
German has many such examples since the last major spelling reform of the 1990s. It wasn’t a complete overhaul, but some spelling rules were changed which affected a lot of words - most importantly, in many (but not all) instances the particular German character ß became ss. Both old and reformed spelling are considered correct; newspapers typically have their own house style that prescribes which of the two to follow, and individuals just follow their personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/22 "2023-10-14T15:15:24Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > I still have trouble decided whether to run amok or run amuck. > > I’ve never seen or read of the latter spelling as real or correct. > **[Duck Amuck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_Amuck)** > > Duck Amuck is an American animated surreal comedy short film directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. The short was released on January 17, 1953, as part of the Merrie Melodies series, and stars Daffy Duck. > In the cartoon, Daffy Duck is tormented by an unseen, mischievous animator, who constantly changes Daffy's locations, clothing, voice, physical appearance, and even shape, much to Daffy's aggravation, embarrassment, and finally rage. Pandemonium reigns throughout the cartoon as... ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/23 "2023-10-14T15:15:28Z")
@Schnitte (or @EinsteinsHund ), are there any words borrowed into German that ended in - **c** or - **que** in their original languages, but can be properly spelled with either - **c** /- **que** or - **ck** in German? I checked two with English just to see: English “shellac” is German _Shellack_, English “lilac” is German _lila_. So that’s a no, and another no. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/24 "2023-10-14T15:20:20Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’ve never seen or read of the latter spelling as real or correct. It was apparently common up into the 40s, but I still see it pop up on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/25 "2023-10-14T15:25:32Z")
An example I can think of is the adjective _chic_, which I’ve seen both in that spelling and in its Germanised form _schick_. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/26 "2023-10-14T15:30:12Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > German has many such examples since the last major spelling reform of the 1990s. It wasn’t a complete overhaul, but some spelling rules were changed which affected a lot of words - most importantly, in many (but not all) instances the particular German character ß became ss. Both old and reformed spelling are considered correct; newspapers typically have their own house style that prescribes which of the two to follow, and individuals just follow their personal preference. Two examples of alternative spellings introduced by the spelling reform not including “ss/ß” are “Delfin” for “Delphin” (you guessed it, dolphin in English) and “Portmonee” for “Portemonnaie” (a loan word from French for purse), which I find exceptionally ugly and illogical. ETA, as an aside: the old spelling of the word for valley was “Thal”. This changed sometimes in the 19th century to “Tal”, which still is the correct spelling. When fossils of a different kind of human than us were found in the neander valley near Düsseldorf, the species was called after the excavation site “Neanderthaler”, which the English speaking world adapted as “neanderthals”. Since then, the German spelling reformed to “Neandertaler”, while English speakers have kept the additional ‘h’. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/27 "2023-10-14T15:31:12Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I checked two with English just to see: English “shellac” is German _Shellack_, Had you checked French _laque_ (laquer) you woud have gotten German _Lack_. So yes. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/28 "2023-10-14T15:35:32Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Had you checked French _laque_ (laquer) you woud have gotten German _Lack_. So yes. Are _Lack_ and _Laque_ both acceptable alternate spellings for the same word in modern German, though? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/29 "2023-10-14T15:36:39Z")
No, they are not. Only _Lack_ is correct. Seems I misread your question. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/30 "2023-10-14T15:47:00Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Going back to the OP, I disagree that “ambiance” and “ambience” are alternate spellings of the same word. > **[Ambience or Ambiance—Which Is Correct?](https://www.grammarly.com/blog/ambience-ambiance/)** > > Ambience is the character and mood of a place. Ambiance is an alternative spelling of the same word. In… > - **Ambience** is the character and mood of a place. > - **Ambiance** is an alternative spelling of the same word. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/31 "2023-10-14T15:50:45Z")
Are _alternate_ and _alternative_ two correct spellings of the same word or two different words with different meanings? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/32 "2023-10-14T16:07:20Z")
Both can be nouns, but they seem to me to have different noun meanings. “alternate” used as a noun can mean a person’s deputy or acting person: “While you’re away, who is your alternate?” “alternative” used as a noun can mean a plan or option: “If your preferred plan can’t be done, what’s your alternative?” Both of those are adjectives doing work as nouns. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/33 "2023-10-14T16:11:35Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Are _alternate_ and _alternative_ two correct spellings of the same word … No – different pronunciations with the latter having an extra syllable. > … or two different words with different meanings? Different words with different – but overlapping – ranges of meaning. Both can be either noun or adjective, and somehow they’re not frequently interchangeable as a matter of style (though usually understandable if a non-native substitution is made). _The **alternate** juror is waiting in the hallway._ (Acceptable) _The **alternative** juror is waiting in the hallway._ (Grammatical, but odd. The listener would wonder what the heck you meant by ‘alternative’ … or just assume you flubbed and meant ‘alternate’) _While a brick cantilever won’t work, a molded cantilever would be an **alternate** solution_. (Acceptable) _While a brick cantilever won’t work, a molded cantilever would be an **alternative** solution_. (Acceptable) _I’ve thought this through and considered the **alternatives**._ (Acceptable) _I’ve thought this through and considered the **alternates**._ (Grammatical, but different in connotation. Void of context, this sentence strongly implies that the alternates are people as opposed to plans, ideas, etc.) … On top of that, “alternate” can be a verb. “Alternative” could only be a verb in a nonce usage. _You should **alternate** hands when painting a fence to avoid fatigue._ (Acceptable) \*_You should **alternative** hands when painting a fence to avoid fatigue._ (Ungrammatical) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/34 "2023-10-14T16:17:05Z")
“Alternate” also has a verb meaning that “alternative” doesn’t have: “I want people from Table A and Table B to alternate as they come forward.” ETA: ninja’d while I was thinking of a verb example! ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/35 "2023-10-14T16:28:30Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Americans love to droop the “U” in assorted words, like “labour”, Ah, this again. OK, how about we change the official spelling of a few more wourds for the sake of consistency. 🙂 Here are a few free samples! motor → motour rotor → rotour sector → sectour ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/36 "2023-10-14T16:40:48Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > Going back to the OP, I disagree that “ambiance” and “ambience” are alternate spellings of the same word. > > [Ambience or Ambiance—Which Is Correct | Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com/blog/ambience-ambiance/) > > > - **Ambience** is the character and mood of a place. > > - **Ambiance** is an alternative spelling of the same word. Thank you. And to @bordelond. TIL. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/37 "2023-10-14T16:43:37Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Americans love to droop the “U” in assorted words, like “labour”, Canadian "U"s have proper posture. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/38 "2023-10-14T16:49:26Z")
Our "u"s are so droopy they’re on the floor - the cutting room floor. 😁 Sort like classic Southern drawly accents. If they was any lazier, they’d be nappin’ on the porch. ---
**Author:** ![FrenchDunadan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frenchdunadan/32/5449_2.png) [@FrenchDunadan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrenchDunadan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/39 "2023-10-14T18:02:37Z")
I have seen ailloli with only one l, but not with two. There is also “cuiller” and “cuillière” (spoon) and “clé” and “clef” (key) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558/40 "2023-10-14T19:14:15Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > With English, naturally, there are a plethora of words spelled differently in British and American versions. In some cases, English has valid variants within a single dialect - for example in the case of British English, a number of the ~ise/~ize words are valid either way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-languages-have-the-two-correct-spellings-for-the-same-word/991558.md?page=3)