Dear Editor,

Thank you for your excellent reporting. Although I am not sure who’s responsible for the Sept. 4 article updating readers about the Aug. 28 Coquihalla bus crash, I am writing to you because I am compelled to comment on the author’s use of the word centre.

First of all, as Canadians, our spelling of some words is different than Americans, like honour, colour, favour — although I believe most people in our society who are under 40 years of age may be unaware of this distinction — but as for the word centre, it is my understanding that we normally would spell it as “center” when referring to the middle of something — such as a circle or a median on the road that divides the road in two equal sides.

Back in the days when composition and spelling mattered, I learnt to use “centre” as a word to reference a place: for example, Centre des Arts or Centre Pavilion. It is my understanding that the reason we make this distinction is to pay homage to our French roots in the establishment of our country.

If writers want to spell every word the British way, there are many other words to choose from other than center.

Marj Cushner
An irritated reader with a pet peeve
Merritt