They are not the same thing. I have a specially designed pen that also works as a laser pointer. I like taking photos of people, especially women. The words are not interchangeable in these examples. The first link Neil provided is useful. http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoVwhVt.asp Specially - for a special purpose Especially - to single out one person, thing, or situation above all others The interchangeable example they gave is a poor one: I made it especially for Jonathan. I made it specially for Jonathan. The first is common. While it may be grammatically correct, if I heard anyone use the second I would think they don't know how to speak properly. I'm not convinced that it is grammatically correct in this case.

Especially and specially are sometimes interchangeable, but not always. Please see these pages: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/words/especially-or-specially http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/especially-or-specially If you google especially vs. specially you will find links to a number of other pages that discuss the difference between the two words.

Specially and especially are the same thing.