The word “travelling” can mean many different things to many different people. Travelling is actually the movement of individuals between very far away geographical locations, in search of their primary necessities. Travelling can take place by foot, by car, bike, train, plane, boat, car or any other mode, and is one way or another, usually between destinations. There are three basic kinds of travelling: touring, commuting, and overnight travel. Touring involves numerous destinations and is a popular form of travel.
Touring is one way that most people would think of travelling when they hear the word. The common spelling for this word is “tour.” This spelling is appropriate because the primary meaning of the word is “the act of touring.” However, some British speakers often spell the word differently, usually with an additional word to describe the mode of travel.
The spelling for “tour” is most likely to be seen on maps used in Britain and Europe, especially those used by tour operators. In America, the spelling for “tour” is more flexible, more like “traveling.” This is likely because the word “tour” does not have the same appeal as “traveling” to the American ear.
The preferred spelling in British English is “tour,” as opposed to “traveling.” The spelling preferred by American English would be “traveling,” while Canadian English would be more similar to “journeys.” The spelling of “journeys” varies among Canadian provinces, from being more like “exotic” to “frequent.” (Some cities, such as Toronto, have adopted a shortening version of the word, which is more appropriate for use in North American English.) Even in metropolitan areas, the preferred spelling is still “journeys.”
Different spelling versions for the verb “to travel” can also be seen within the two languages. While “travel” can be associated with the verb “to go,” “traveling” is more often associated with the idea of going somewhere. “To go traveling” or “towling” describes the act of leaving one’s house and proceeding on one’s own. Thus, “towling” describes journeys to places, while “traveling” describes a general idea of going from one place to another. When we translate between the English language and the Canadian lingua franca, it becomes clear that “traveling” is generally used to describe the act of going from one place to another, while “traveling” describes an ongoing journey.
When people choose to learn a second language, they often do so for various reasons. Some people may want to visit a country that they have only heard about, while others may be making the journey as a means of immigrating to a new country. However, whatever the reason, learning the correct spellings of common verbs like “travel,” “lie” and “come,” can help travelers get around more easily when visiting a foreign country. Learning the preferred spelling will not only make your travels more enjoyable, but will help you speak more confidently with friends, family and strangers alike.