Is there a difference between "Speciality" and "Specialty"?

Question

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?

I was faced with the same dilemma when putting together my CV. I then noticed that the online database of translators housed on the website of The Chartered Institute of Linguists (of which I am a member) used another word altogether: 'specialisms' - and I eventually decided to go with that. — The Advocate, Sep 07 '16 at 14:12

score 18 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 30 '15 at 11:34

18

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.

edited Jun 30 '15 at 11:34

apaderno

59,185

answered May 17 '11 at 15:49

Calvin Fisher

420

This resource has some nice examples of BrE vs AmE usage in the press. – James Mar 05 '15 at 15:38

score 14 · Answer 2 · answered May 17 '11 at 15:50

14

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 May 17 '11 at 15:50

apaderno

59,185

5

I can confirm that in UK hospitals, consultants refer to their Specialty rather than Speciality - I know this because I "helpfully" spellchecked the user interface for an NHS computer application, and then later had to revert it when they all complained! – James McCormack Jun 30 '15 at 10:45

score 6 · Answer 3 · answered May 17 '11 at 18:09

6

It's standard US medical editing practice to change instances of "specialities" to "specialties." Note the certifying agency: American Board of Medical Specialties.

answered May 17 '11 at 18:09

The Raven

12,593

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 01 '20 at 08:44

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.

score 1 · Answer 5 · edited Jan 05 '12 at 08:07

1

Ideally, both of them mean the same thing. The usage is the only difference. Like prioritise and prioritize.

edited Jan 05 '12 at 08:07

answered Jan 05 '12 at 05:53

EnthuDeveloper

413

Is there a difference between "Speciality" and "Specialty"?

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