I found my problem...I was using: pspell_new("en", "british"); pspell_new("en", "american"); pspell_new("en", "canadian"); and I should've been using: pspell_new("en_GB", "british"); pspell_new("en_US", "american"); pspell_new("en_CA", "canadian"); if I want to use specific dictionaries in the english language. There is no sign of this in the documentation; I stumbled upon this by chance...trying everything to resolve my problem. Take care... Adam.