Specialty or Speciality?

[D30417995]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hmm.., this topic is rather silly, but anyhow...

I've long been wondering why there are 2 words (specialty & speciality) to describe the same thing.

Does anyone actually know which one is the more "proper" term?

 

[KluverBucy]

Hmm.., this topic is rather silly, but anyhow...

I've long been wondering why there are 2 words (specialty & speciality) to describe the same thing.

Does anyone actually know which one is the more "proper" term?

i'm not sure. are you going into orthopedics or orthopaedics? just curious. now do me a favor and keep your posts to a minimum.

 

[MedWiz]

Hmm.., this topic is rather silly, but anyhow...

I've long been wondering why there are 2 words (specialty & speciality) to describe the same thing.

Does anyone actually know which one is the more "proper" term?

AFAIK, it's a US vs. UK English thing:

The Right Word
specialty/speciality

Several dictionaries say that both spellings are acceptable and that the words are synonyms, but most editors consider specialty to be the correct spelling for American audiences. Speciality is the preferred spelling in British English, though copywriters seem attracted to it, perhaps because it sounds like the French specialité.

But for those who want more than this simple rule of thumb, The American Heritage Dictionary, third edition (AHD), gives first meanings to speciality -- "a distinguishing mark or feature" -- and the plural specialities -- "special points of consideration, particulars" -- that do not overlap with specialty at all. The third definition ends up by agreeing that speciality is British usage for specialty.

Specialty itself is treated quite separately. AHD refers us to forte (not speciality) as a synonym for it in the sense of "a special pursuit, occupation, aptitude, or skill." Other definitions relating to distinctiveness or superiority are offered along with specialty's legal sense of "a special contract or agreement, especially a deed kept under seal."

In short, it's unlikely that speciality is the best choice in most contexts outside of Britain, no matter what your spell checker says. Now you know why.
( http://www.eeicommunications.com/eye/special.html )

HTH

 

[D30417995]

i'm not sure. are you going into orthopedics or orthopaedics? just curious. now do me a favor and keep your posts to a minimum.

What's your problem? You don't like what you see? Go away then. You're not a kid (I suppose) and shouldn't need to be told.

 

[WaZoBia]

MedWiz is right, specialty is US and speciality is UK

 

[D30417995]

Yeah....

It's not as obvious as words like "oedema" vs "edema", or "paediatrics" vs "pediatrics", as in fact many British people use "specialty" rather than "speciality". Even the GMC of UK uses "specialty" instead.

Such post as KluverBucy's is just a nuisance. 👎

 

[FACS]

MedWiz is right, specialty is US and speciality is UK

Yeah, the brits pronounce it the same way. Speh-shell-tee. Same word. Different spelling.

 

[mysophobe]

According to the dictionary, a speciality is a distinguishing mark or feature, whereas a specialty is defined as the same, but also as, and I quote:

1. A special pursuit, occupation, aptitude, or skill. See Synonyms at forte.
2. A branch of medicine or surgery, such as cardiology or neurosurgery, in which a physician specializes; the field or practice of a specialist."

BTW, I'm just being fresh, so don't start the fire.

 

[KluverBucy]

Yeah....

It's not as obvious as words like "oedema" vs "edema", or "paediatrics" vs "pediatrics", as in fact many British people use "specialty" rather than "speciality". Even the GMC of UK uses "specialty" instead.

Such post as KluverBucy's is just a nuisance. 👎

speaking of a nuisance. here we are. and actually it pretty much is that obvious. at least to some of us. oh well. no hard feelings really, just giving you a hard time. too bad you got all bent out of shape and can't handle a little rib.

 

[D30417995]

speaking of a nuisance. here we are. and actually it pretty much is that obvious. at least to some of us. oh well. no hard feelings really, just giving you a hard time. too bad you got all bent out of shape and can't handle a little rib.

Whatever dude. If that made you feel better, I pity you.

 

[KluverBucy]

Whatever dude. If that made you feel better, I pity you.

fuk... please refer to post #2 in this thread.

thanks
-The Management

 

[OUsooner]

Hmm.., this topic is rather silly, but anyhow...

I've long been wondering why there are 2 words (specialty & speciality) to describe the same thing.

Does anyone actually know which one is the more "proper" term?

Um, I want to defend this thread. But I'm too hungover. Instead I'll take the easy route (why is it pronounced two different ways <do u guys prefer "rout" or "root"?>) and call you a JackA$$. 😴

 

[FACS]

why is it pronounced two different ways?

It's not. It's just spelled two different ways.

 

[OUsooner]

learn something new everyday - unfortunately i keep learning worthless things. 😀 thx.

 

[Edison]

fuk... please refer to post #2 in this thread.

thanks
-The Management

I somehow support the OP. I think it is YOU who've got a problem. An attitude problem; or maybe a personality problem. SDN should really get rid of members like you.

My advice for you: go see a psychiatrist.

 

[angel80]

The one that kills me is dilation and dilitation. I hate the word dilitation.

 

[mysophobe]

Me too. One of my teachers used to say that all the time.