English Language & Usage Asked by Karl Nicoll on August 28, 2020
My work colleagues and I have been having a discussion about doctors (we work in healthcare), and we’re split down the middle as to whether a specialist doctor would have a speciality, or a specialty (no “i”). Is there a specific use for each word, or can they be interchanged?
There seems to be divergence on that point: See Wikipedia. Others seem to think so as well.
I suspect that specialty is American English and speciality is British English.
Correct answer by Calvin Fisher on August 28, 2020
Specialty is the word used in American English (the OED reports it's chiefly Northern American), while speciality is used in British English.
In medicine (as for what reported by the OED) both specialty and speciality are used.
Answered by kiamlaluno on August 28, 2020
It's standard US medical editing practice to change instances of "specialities" to "specialties." Note the certifying agency: American Board of Medical Specialties.
Answered by The Raven on August 28, 2020
Ideally, both of them mean the same thing. The usage is the only difference. Like prioritise and prioritize.
Answered by EnthuDeveloper on August 28, 2020
There's a good explanation of the difference here.
In addition to the regional differences among English-speaking nations, it points out that 'specialty' is more commonly used as an adjective; 'speciality' as a noun.
As a native speaker of British English, this is the distinction I make.
Answered by Leon Conrad on August 28, 2020
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