For years I hated hearing people use this word in place of “oriented”. Almost as much as I hated hearing “supposebly“.
Finally I was directed to the dictionary, wherein it was proven to me that it is a word… a form of “oriented”.
Interestingly, dictionary.com includes the following:
orientated
adjective
adjusted or located in relation to surroundings or circumstances; sometimes used in combination; “the house had its large windows oriented toward the ocean view”; “helping freshmen become oriented to college life”; “the book is value-oriented throughout” [syn: oriented] [ant: unoriented]
So the description for the proper use of “orientated” uses the word “oriented”. Clearly even Webster is confused.
I still say it’s wrong. It’s still shit what irritates me.
The Common Errors in English site says it’s standard in Britain, but considered an error in the U.S. (http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/orientate.html).
Interesting. Thanks.
The British also say “aluminium” which is also wrong. But always sounds cool when said with an accent.