What is the distinction between “role” and “rôle” [with a circumflex]?
Solution 1:
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language gives four definitions of role, the first of which is
- also rôle A character or part played by a performer.
while the other three definitions (related to functions or characteristic behaviour) do not offer rôle. So for some people the circumflex indicates a particular meaning. Not for me.
Solution 2:
As an Englishman, I always use rôle, despite Microsoft's disapproval! I think there may be something of a US/UK difference on this one. The OED lists both spellings without distinction.
The evolution of language is somewhat quirky. One never sees the word "hotel" written with a circumflex in English, as it is in French; but some people still insist on writing "an hotel" despite the fact that we, unlike the French, do voice the "h". It sounds particularly silly when someone says "an hotel", pronouncing the "h".
I expect the circumflex in rôle will eventually be completely dropped, but it is still generally considered more proper in the UK.