Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
speciality, specialty (nn.)
Speciality (five syllables, with heaviest stress on the third) and specialty (three syllables, heaviest stress on the first) have most of their meanings in common, but in contexts such as the specialty of the house, most Americans always use specialty, whereas the British prefer speciality. Speciality meaning “a distinguishing mark or characteristic feature” gets occasional American use, as in The specialities of the quarter horse are fast starts and great speeds over short distances.
