“One thing guaranteed to get people running around on their hobby horses is the use of American English,” wrote Siobhain Butterworth, the readers’ editor.

Improper use of language arguably hinders good text journalism.

On the other hand, Butterworth pinpoints the issue: “does it really matter if we use this kind of "Americanism" when the meaning is plain to readers, most of whom are familiar with television shows, films, websites and literature that originate in the US?”

Good use of language privileges good journalism, but effective communication of ideas is even more important for journalism than is unconditional allegiance to a style guide. Should The Guardian, or any paper, stick to a more ‘antiquated’ form of speech if it is less meaningful to the reader?

“The paper can be forgiven for giving up on some British English words,” wrote Butterworth.

This doesn’t mean that a paper can renounce to its heritage and  traditional emphasis on proper language, simply because audiences and vernacular speech are changing.

"We are a British newspaper, US readers recognise this and seem comfortable with what we do," said the editor of the Guardian’s style guide (‘recognise and not ‘recognize’, quoted from the Guardian).

The end word in a new world is that newspapers should uphold literate language, but also open doors to embrace its evolution.

“Some American English words have begun to sneak into the vernacular, but still don't look right in the paper,” wrote Butterworth.

Source: The Guardian