program / programme

[tungemål]

program / programme

Is there any semantic difference in these two words?
For instance, computer program, concert program, radio program.

[DaveAgain]

program / programme

Is there any semantic difference in these two words?
For instance, computer program, concert program, radio program.

I think this is a US/UK spelling variance. The wrinkle being that the US spelling is also used in the UK when referring to computer programs.

[tungemål]

So in the Kingdom you'd write concert programme, radio programme, and computer program? It's faster to write "program" but "programme" does look more sophisticated.

[DaveAgain]

So in the Kingdom you'd write concert programme, radio programme, and computer program?

Yes, but I suspect you'll find individual British people just preferring to use one spelling for all purposes, and considering both variants as valid.

[tangleweeds]

Occasionally in the US you'll see something like "concert programme" used to convey "we're being very traditionally cultured here" in the sense that you're going to hear old warhorse style classical music (i.e. not modern, early, and probably not minimalist, or HIP either).

[Edited to add missing word]

[PfifltriggPi]

So in the Kingdom you'd write concert programme, radio programme, and computer program?

Yes, but I suspect you'll find individual British people just preferring to use one spelling for all purposes, and considering both variants as valid.

I am not British nor American but according to what I have heard "programme" often replaces "program" even when speaking about computer program(me)s. I too think that "programme" looks much more aestheticly pleasing.

[tungemål]

The word originates from greek Prógramma, but I suspect the "programme" spelling was influenced from the French spelling?

By the way, I found it interesting that the US spelling is used for computer programs. Most languages are inundated with English loan words, especially computer words, and some countries try to fight this. I never thought about that the same could happen in the UK - the language taking up American English loan words.

[DaveAgain]

The word originates from greek Prógramma, but I suspect the "programme" spelling was influenced from the French spelling?

By the way, I found it interesting that the US spelling is used for computer programs. Most languages are inundated with English loan words, especially computer words, and some countries try to fight this. I never thought about that the same could happen in the UK - the language taking up American English loan words.

This particular instance is a spelling convention that distinguishes meaning, rather than a loanword. But we certainly do get words from America, given the amount of USA media consumed in the UK it would be astonishing if we didn't.

My dictionary gives the origin as:

ORIGIN early 17th cent. (in the sense ‘written notice’): via late Latin from Greek programma, from prographein ‘write publicly’, from pro ‘before’ + graphein ‘write’.

[tungemål]

This particular instance is a spelling convention that distinguishes meaning, rather than a loanword. But we certainly do get words from America, given the amount of USA media consumed in the UK it would be astonishing if we didn't.

Yes, I get that, but since it's an American spelling convention, and the US has been the driving force in the history of computer programs, I'd contend that it is an American loanword. The fact that it distinguishes meaning is often an advantage.

Look at the Spanish word for mouse:
1. (animal) el ratón (M)
2. (computing) a. el mouse (M) b. el ratón (M)

I don't know if Spanish speakers use mouse or ratón more often for computer mouse. But I think el mouse is kind of cool. They can say things like:

- Tengo que comprar un nuevo ratón
- I need to buy a new mouse
- oh, did your old pet die?

- Tengo que comprar un nuevo mouse
- I need to buy a new mouse
- oh, so your old computer mouse doesn't work?

[badger]

as a Brit I'd call the leaflet you might buy at the theatre or at a sporting event a 'programme'. I'd use 'program' for everything else.