British and American English The differences and varieties Менчинова Валерия, гр. ИЯ 10-10-43

British English (BrE) is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects used within the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, Received Pronunciation (RP) is considered "standard“ also called the Queen's English and BBC English

American English American English (AmE) is the form of English used in the United States. It includes all English dialects used within the United States of America. General American (GA) is considered to be "standard" or "accentless"

Which is correct? American and British English are taught in English as a foreign language programs no one version is "correct" RULE: be consistent in your usage the largest difference is probably in the choice of vocabulary and pronunciation

“England and America are two countries divided by a common language.” ~George Bernard Shaw

How did this divergence occur? The Atlantic ocean served as a major divide, allowing the two dialects to develop American English picked up words from Native American languages as well as from Dutch, Spanish, and French settlers Noah Webster decided to solidify and standardize American English in his dictionary

Noah Webster Writer of the first American dictionary in 1806 Believed that Americans’ language should reflect the way they spoke, and be distinct from British English Came of age during the American revolution, and therefore placed great emphasis on America’s cultural separation from England Simplified spellings of many words, such as ploughplow centrecenter colourcolor Added uniquely American words, such as squash and chowder

What does this mean? I put on a jumper and raced to catch a lift. Once outside, I discovered it was dark and I was feeling mad. "I should have brought a torch," I thought. At the underground I bought a return ticket. "How am I going to get a rise from my boss?" I wondered.

Grammatical Differences British English: Present perfect for action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment two forms to express possession: Have or Have got American English Past tense is also possible simple past include already, just and yet employ the have (do you have, he doesn't have etc.)

is gotten He's gotten much better at playing tennis. on the weekend Different than from 5 through 6 dreamt OR dreamed regular form is more common to American English. The past participle of the verb get is got differences in preposition use: at the weekend Different from from 5 to 6 Past Simple/Past Participles Burnt OR burned irregular form is more common in Br. E.

Spelling Differences British English Words ending in –our: colour, humour Words ending in –ise: recognise, patronise Others: Traveller Cheque programme American English Words ending in –or: color, humor Words ending in –ize: recognize, patronize Traveler Check program

Lexical Differences British English Pardon? Autumn Film Trousers Flat Tin Mobile phone Biscuit lorry American English Excuse me? Fall Movie Pants Apartment Can Cell phone Cookie truck

Differences in the organization of education lead to different terms Differences in the organization of education lead to different terms. BE «public school» is in fact a private school. It is a fee-paying school not controlled by the local education authorities. AE «public school» is a free local authority school. BE «primary school» is AE «elementary school» BE «secondary school» is AE «high school». In BE «a pupil leaves a secondary school», in AE «a student graduates from a high school» In BE you can graduate from a university or college of education, graduating entails getting a degree.

Pronunciation Differences British English [o] in spot [a:] in fast [t’] in better [r] – sometimes silent [ɪ] in privacy American English [a:] in spot [ae] in fast [d] in better [r] pronounced everywhere [aɪ] in privacy

Americanisms: ranch, sombrero, canyon (Spanish), wigwam, squaw, canoe moccasin, war path, war paint, pie of peace (Indian), boss, dope, sleigh (Dutch). Backwoods, blue-jack, sweet potato, red cedar, assembly, caucus, congress, Senate, congressman, President, senator, precinct, Vice-President etc.

The languages diverge…and converge The differences in the languages reached its peak right after the industrial revolution With the spread of modern technology, more terms are becoming common

Quiz: What are the British equivalents? 1. Q: Vocabulary ‘round trip' - I booked a round trip. 2. Q: Spelling 'check' - I wrote a check for the full amount. 3. Q: Spelling 'tire' - Do you know how to change a tire? 4. Q: Vocabulary 'subway' - I took the subway to work. 5. Q: Spelling 'color' - Do you have this shirt in a different color? Return ticket cheque tyre underground colour

7. Q: Grammar 'just went' - He just went home. 6. Q: Vocabulary 'trunk' - Put your luggage in the trunk. 7. Q: Grammar 'just went' - He just went home. 8. Q: Vocabulary 'flashlight' - The lights have gone out. Where is the flashlight? 9. Q: Expression with preposition 'Monday through Friday' - He works Monday through Friday. 10. Q: Grammar 'seven hundred thirty' - eight thousand seven hundred thirty 11. Q: Expression with preposition 'plays on' - He plays on a team in town. 12. Q: Vocabulary ‘gas' - I think we need some gas. boot torch to And thirty petrol

African American Vernacular vs Standard American That my bike The coffee cold. The coffee be cold I ain’t gonna help you Is it a miss Jones in the office? Don’t nobody help me do my work He don’t never go nowhere That’s my bike The coffee’s cold The coffee is always cold there I’m not gonna help you Is there a Miss Jones in the office? Nobody ever helps me do my job He never goes anywhere