British English: What makes it different from American English?
“England and America are two countries separated by the same language”
This is a saying commonly attributed to George Bernard Shaw, an Irish author, which shows that although British and Americans speak English, there are differences in vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation that make communication tricky.
Which nationalities tend to learn British English and which learn American English?
British English is taught and spoken in most Commonwealth nations, or countries with educational ties to the UK, such as Ireland and most of Europe. Many countries in Africa, particularly in the east and south of the continent, use British English due to their colonial ties as do countries of the Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania, where Australia is. In Oceania, British-derived English is spoken with unique variations. In Central and South America, due to their proximity to the USA and cultural influences, American English has traditionally been spoken and even in countries with British influence in education, such as
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, American English is fast gaining ground.
We must also consider that as American entertainment and business became, and are still popular, American English is increasingly more dominant.
So, what makes these two types of English different?
Spelling
-our vs -or
-re vs the -er
z vs s
double L vs single L
Vocabulary
If an American asks “Can I have the check, please?” in a restaurant in the UK, the waiter would be very confused. In the UK, you would ask for “the bill” at the end of your meal.
And, it’s not only US Americans that are likely to make this mistake. I have come across students who have learnt American English, who have told me that they are met by the confused expression on a waiter’s face when they ask for the “check”.
gas in American English. Other examples include:
Author: Antigone, a teacher at Speak Up London
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