Language Trouble South of the Equator

I like to take a generous attitude toward the people of any country south of the Equator, but I am baffled by “aluminium.” This is apparently the word used for the metal otherwise known as “aluminum.” When I first heard al-u-min-i-um, I thought the speaker had been drinking an inferior brand of beer. But then I saw the word in print in an otherwise reputable journal. Now I see and hear the word everywhere.

We live in troubled times.