Why the Word 'America' is Spelled the Way It Is

The spelling of the word America has not changed since its conception. However, the reason behind the spelling is fascinating and rooted in historical and linguistic evolution.

History of the Name 'America'

The naming of the Americas or America occurred shortly after Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas in 1492. It is generally accepted that the name derives from Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer who explored the continent in the following years on behalf of Spain and Portugal.

In 1507, a German cartographer named Martin Waldseemüller published a map that named the new continent in Vespucci's honor. Thus, the United States of America is part of the greater continent of America.

Why Americans Spell Words Differently

The difference in spelling and pronunciation of certain English words between Americans and others can be attributed to Noah Webster. Webster was infamous for his disdain of British society and British spellings, leading him to differentiate American English from British English by making it more phonetic in practice.

Webster favored Greek and Latin spellings over French spellings, often removing silent letters which were favored by the British. For instance, words like center, defense, and color were spelled as centre, defence, and colour in British English. While Webster's intentions were to achieve a more logical and consistent spelling system, it sparked an ongoing debate and passionate opposition among British speakers of English.

The Evolution of Language

Language is a living entity that evolves and changes over time. It is crucial not to be bothered by regional differences that exist between languages of a common origin. English, as a global language, has incorporated countless words and spellings from various cultures and languages, leading to the diverse spellings we see today.

Amerigo Vespucci and the Naming of the New World

The naming of the Americas was a significant event in geographical and historical terms. Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer who explored the New World in the early 16th century and wrote extensively about his travels. His writings were more widely read than those of Christopher Columbus, which contributed to the map published by Waldseemüller in 1507.

How the Continents Got Their Names

Vespucci explored the Americas in the early 16th century. Vespucci's writings were more widely read than those of Christopher Columbus. In 1507, Martin Waldseemüller published a map that named the new continent after Vespucci. The name America began to be widely adopted and used for the entire continent. Today, the name America is synonymous with the continents of North and South America.

From Vespucci to Waldseemüller, the evolution of the name America is a testament to the fusion of history, exploration, and linguistic influence. While the spelling has remained consistent, the debate over modern American English continues, with phonetic and logical favor playing significant roles.