User:Scs/scratchpad
Straw poll on British vs. American spelling[edit]
This is a straw poll. It is not a vote. It contains multiple statemetns in three categories; you can and should note all those you agree with. (That is, you are certainly not restricted to agreeing with just one.)
Please mark all those statements you agree with. It should not be necessary to indicate that you disagree; I believe I have listed alternatives you can agree with instead. (But if you insist, you may indicate disagree, if I've mischaracterized anything.) Feel free to insert brief comments, but please do not engage in lengthy discussion here. Substantive discussion of the larger issues should take place at Wiktionary talk:Spelling Variants in Entry Names - Draft Policy.
Wiktionary emphasis[edit]
Wiktionary is a multivariant dictionary[edit]
Wiktionary treats all major variants of English (British/Commonwealth, American, Australia/New Zealand, Indian, Canadian, etc.) equally.
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Wiktionary is primarily a British dictionary[edit]
British spelling and usage should predominate; other variants are secondary.
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Wiktionary is primarily an American dictionary[edit]
American spelling and usage should predominate; other variants are secondary.
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Duplicate entries for spelling variants[edit]
Duplicate entries are a fine idea[edit]
They make it possible to, for example, treat all variants scrupulously equally, or to accomodate differences in etymology, pronunciation, and usage. (Or you might agree with this statement for other reasons.)
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Duplicate entries are a poor idea[edit]
They can lead to, for example, duplication of information, or divergence as the entries are edited separately. (Or you might agree with this statement for other reasons.)
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Redirects for spelling variants[edit]
Redirects suggest inferiority[edit]
In cases where two variant spellings refer to essentially the same word (for example, color and colour), a simple redirect from one to the other would unavoidably (and unacceptably) give the impression that the redirected-to word is "primary" or "superior" and that the redirected-from word is "secondary" or "inferior". (Or you might agree that redirects are a poor idea for other reasons.)
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)
Redirects can be neutral[edit]
A redirect from one variant spelling to another does not necessarily imply any superiority/inferiority relationship and is therefore acceptable. (Or you might agree that redirects are acceptable for other reasons.)
(those who agree with this statement; sign with ~~~~:)
- Agree. (sign here with ~~~~)