“Difference Between American and British English

“Difference Between American and British English”

Thesis – American English is derived from British English after British people

               pioneered American continent. Although Both English have same letter,

               and basic source, they are different in part of pronunciation, vocabulary,

               words, history, and grammar.

Intro – American English and British English are deeply related. Because both

           English have been used in different countries, and cultures, those two

           language have difference in pronunciation, vocabulary, words, history, and

           grammar. For those reasons that might be seem little, people divide English

           to American and British.

Body 1 – Differences of pronunciation between british and american english

             In general American, every written ‘r’ is pronounced, whereas in general

             British, ‘r’ is only pronounced before a vowel sound – it is silent before

             consonant sounds.

             In general British, we round the lips with the back open vowel in ‘got’ ‘what’

             ‘shop’, whereas in general American this is an unrounded sound /É‘/.

             In general British, speakers tend to use a falling tone to indicate a new

             statement or utterance. In American, however, it is common to use a rising

             tone, which to British ears may sound more like a question. It is known as

            ‘upspeak’, which technically means a high rising tone.

             In general British, speakers would pronounce a /j/ before the vowel sound in

             ‘tune’ and ‘new’ – words where a /t/, /d/ or /n/ are followed by /u:/. In general

             American, this /j/ is dropped, a concept known as yod-dropping.

American and British use different words that has same meaning.

American and British use same words, but different spelling.

Words, which finish “~er” In general American,  finish “~re” in general British

Words, which finish “~or” in general American, finish “~our” in general British

Words, which finish “~ize” in general American, finish “~ise” in general British

Words, which finish “~se” in general American, finish “~ce” in general British

Body 2 – The different nations where use American and British English

Countries use British English – The countries where were colonies of

                                                 England.

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Wales

Australia

New Zealand

English-speaking South Africa

Countries use American English – The countries where are near from U.S.A or

                                                      have U.S army, and are allies with U.S.A

                                                      Because United States has short history, they

                                                      did not have colony.

all of the countries in Central and South America have a preference for American English.

The second group includes the Asia-Pacific countries that the U.S. has been involved with militarily.  Those include Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.  Northern China could also be included in this category.(Japan, South Korea, China prefer to learn American English).

Another category is allies or frenemies in the Middle East.  Besides Israel, we can add Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and others.

Body 3 – Difference of Grammar between American English and British

                English

             Past tense verbs

             Past tense verbs, which finish “~ed” In general American, finish “~t” in

             British

Order of quotation marks

While in general American English, people use small quotation marks in big quotation marks, British people use big quotation marks in small quotation marks.

For example – American English : Joseph said, “I read an article titled ‘All things

                                                     Trump’ by Los Angele Times”

                      British English : Joseph said, ‘I read an article titled “All things Trump”

                                                by Los Angele Times’

Collective nouns

For example – American English : Team is (o), Team are (x)

                                                     Group is (o), Group are (x)

                                                     Band is (o), Band are (x)

                      British English : Team is (o), Team are (o)

                                                Group is (o), Group are (o)

                                                Band is (o), Band are (o)

Conclusion – Although American English was derived from British English, they

                         have difference in some parts. Because they have been used in

                         different continent, and cultures. Also the point that American and

                         England had influenced other countries in different ways decided

                         which English other countries use between American and British

                         English.  These things may not seem big difference, it can be a

                         problem in communication if we do not know the difference.