I found my problem...I was using:
pspell_new("en", "british");
pspell_new("en", "american");
pspell_new("en", "canadian");
and I should've been using:
pspell_new("en_GB", "british");
pspell_new("en_US", "american");
pspell_new("en_CA", "canadian");
if I want to use specific dictionaries in the english language. There is no
sign of this in the documentation; I stumbled upon this by chance...trying
everything to resolve my problem.
Take care...
Adam.

