Proofreading Tips: What Is Oxford Spelling?
As a proofreader, you might come across the term Oxford spelling. But what does this mean? And how should you approach a document if your client specifies using it? In this post, we explain everything you need to know to proofread documents effectively.
If you’re not sure which spelling to use for a term, check a dictionary that uses Oxford spelling. The best choice here is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) given that it is published by the OUP. But for alternative options (without a subscription fee), you can try online dictionaries that use this approach to spelling, such as the Cambridge Dictionary or the Dictionary.com website.
These dictionaries will have both “z” and “s” spellings for many words. But when this happens, the main entry (i.e., the top spelling on the page) will be the “Oxford” spelling.
When Should I Use Oxford Spelling?
As mentioned above, the OUP uses Oxford spelling in all of its publications. Thus, if you’re ever working on something published by the OUP, you’ll need to keep the rules above in mind.
Likewise, many other publishers and publications have adopted this spelling style, including the scientific journal Nature, Encyclopædia Britannica, and Cambridge University Press.
However, Oxford spelling is also considered an international form of English. As a result, many international organizations use it, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, NATO, Interpol, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Red Cross, and Amnesty International.
Consequently, you should always check your client’s instructions on this count. International clients and publishers may well ask you to use “Oxford” conventions.
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