Lieutenant vs. Leftenant: What's the Difference?

Pronunciation and Spelling

The correct pronunciation of the word is "leftenant", with the stress on the second syllable. However, the spelling "lieutenant" is more common in Canada, while "leftenant" is more common in the United States.

In Canada, the spelling "lieutenant" is considered archaic and is rarely used.

History

The word "lieutenant" comes from the French word "lieutenant", which means "one who holds the place of another".

In the Canadian Armed Forces, the rank of lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank.

Ranks and Insignia

In the Canadian Armed Forces, there are three ranks of lieutenant: second lieutenant, lieutenant, and captain-lieutenant.

• Second lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank.
• Lieutenant is the middle commissioned officer rank.
• Captain-lieutenant is the highest commissioned officer rank.

The insignia for a lieutenant is a single gold bar.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lieutenants are responsible for leading small teams of soldiers and ensuring that orders are carried out.

They may also be responsible for training new soldiers and providing support to their superiors.

Conclusion

The spelling "lieutenant" is more common in Canada, while "leftenant" is more common in the United States.

The rank of lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Lieutenants are responsible for leading small teams of soldiers and ensuring that orders are carried out.