Just because it is correct in Great Britain, does not mean that it is correct in the U.S. Spelling color "colour" is incorrect here, as is spelling grey "gray". Adding -ate to the end of the word is redundant, as it simply makes the word "orientate" mean the exact same thing as "orient". Here are some wonderful articles explaining this further to you. A brief conclusion follows.
Taken from Washington State University
Although some dictionaries have now begun to accept it, orientate was mistakenly formed from orientation. The proper verb form is simply orient. Similarly, disorientated is an error for disoriented.
From English Plus
Sometimes people in their speech will form an imagined verb from orientation and say orientate. There is no such word as orientate. The correct word is the verb orient.
Incorrect: Melanie is helping me get orientated to the new job.
Correct: Melanie is helping me get oriented to the new job.
From .Bartleby.com
orientate, orient (vv.)
Both verbs, meaning literally to locate east and so adjust to the compass directions and figuratively to adjust to circumstances or situation, are Standard, but American commentators continue to object to orientate (used more frequently by the British), mainly because orient is shorter but also because the figurative use is outstripping the literal one.
From Tiscali.com
Both originally meant 'to face, or to make something face, the east'. Both are now used to mean 'get one's bearings', 'adjust to a new situation'.
Orient is preferred in American English and in technical use; in everyday British English there is no preference
Taken from Wikipedia's article on dictionaries
Since words and their meanings develop over time, dictionary entries are organized to reflect these changes. Dictionaries may either list meanings in the historical order in which they appeared, or may list meanings in order of popularity and most common use.
Call me a prescriptivist if you must, but I think that such changes to common, non-slang words should not be permitted. Of course, dictionaries are only surveys of the general usage of words. Just because a lot of people use the word "orientate" doesn't make them right. Thanks for your comment. punk.
Taken from Washington State University
Although some dictionaries have now begun to accept it, orientate was mistakenly formed from orientation. The proper verb form is simply orient. Similarly, disorientated is an error for disoriented.
From English Plus
Sometimes people in their speech will form an imagined verb from orientation and say orientate. There is no such word as orientate. The correct word is the verb orient.
Incorrect: Melanie is helping me get orientated to the new job.
Correct: Melanie is helping me get oriented to the new job.
From .Bartleby.com
orientate, orient (vv.)
Both verbs, meaning literally to locate east and so adjust to the compass directions and figuratively to adjust to circumstances or situation, are Standard, but American commentators continue to object to orientate (used more frequently by the British), mainly because orient is shorter but also because the figurative use is outstripping the literal one.
From Tiscali.com
Both originally meant 'to face, or to make something face, the east'. Both are now used to mean 'get one's bearings', 'adjust to a new situation'.
Orient is preferred in American English and in technical use; in everyday British English there is no preference
Taken from Wikipedia's article on dictionaries
Since words and their meanings develop over time, dictionary entries are organized to reflect these changes. Dictionaries may either list meanings in the historical order in which they appeared, or may list meanings in order of popularity and most common use.
Call me a prescriptivist if you must, but I think that such changes to common, non-slang words should not be permitted. Of course, dictionaries are only surveys of the general usage of words. Just because a lot of people use the word "orientate" doesn't make them right. Thanks for your comment. punk.
[Edited on Mar 26, 2005 3:46PM]