A single letter—an 's' where a 'z' should be—has ignited a fierce debate across Canada, placing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s linguistic choices under a national microscope. The controversy erupted after language experts flagged the growing use of British spellings in key government documents.

For Kenyans, this tale of spelling is more than a foreign curiosity; it’s a mirror to our own conversations about identity, influence, and holding onto local culture in a globalised world. It highlights the subtle ways leadership shapes national character, a conversation as relevant in Nairobi as it is in Ottawa.

The issue centres on words like “globalisation” and “catalyse,” which appeared in the recent federal budget with the British 's' instead of the conventional Canadian 'z'. Carney, who spent seven years as the governor of the Bank of England before becoming Prime Minister in March 2025, has been accused of bringing a hallmark of British English back home.

A Question of National Pride

In a sharp open letter, six prominent linguists urged the Prime Minister's office to adhere to Canadian English spelling, which they note has been the consistent standard since the 1970s. They warned that deviating from this norm could create confusion and weaken a key marker of the nation's unique identity.

Canadian English is a unique hybrid, reflecting the country's history by borrowing from both British and American conventions while maintaining its own distinct vocabulary. The experts argue that this linguistic independence is a matter of “national history, identity and pride.”

The 'Been-To' Effect on a Global Stage

The situation is a high-profile example of the “been-to” effect, a phenomenon familiar to many Kenyans, where time spent abroad influences one's habits and expression. While often a personal quirk, when enacted by a national leader, it can be interpreted as a political or cultural statement.

The Prime Minister's office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. The debate, however, continues to simmer, serving as a potent reminder that in the digital age, a nation’s soul can still be found in its spelling.