-ise/-ize
Posted by Curly on June 03, 2003
Etymology can be interesting...
In words where the ending -ize actually means 'give the characteristic
of', 'render', 'turn into' (e.g. harmonize = provide harmony; hospitalize=
place someone in hospital), the ending is 'originally' Greek. -ize
should be the only option. However, there is a 'purist' trend in
the UK to consider the -ize an Americanism, and hence -ise is used,
which is borrowed from ... the French.
Shakespeare used -ize, why not we?
Please note that this 'schism' can play tricks on meaning; just
analyse "analize", as some will have it. Food for behavioural psychologists...
- Speaking of purists... TheFallen 06/03/03