How Are British English and American English Different?

Summary

In this informative video, Paul from Langfocus explores the differences between British and American English, covering vocabulary, accent, spelling, and grammar. He clarifies regional varieties, focusing on standard forms, and humorously notes Canadian English's closeness to American. Examples illustrate vocabulary distinctions, pronunciation nuances like rhoticity and 't' sounds, and spelling reforms by Noah Webster. Minor grammar variations are also discussed, emphasizing adaptability between dialects despite their amusing disparities.

Takeaways

• 😀 British and American English have numerous varieties, including different accents and dialects, but the video focuses on the most standard, non-regional variety of each.
• 🏰 The presenter, being Canadian, uses American English examples, which are very close to Standard Canadian English, except when distinguishing pronunciation differences.
• 🗣️ Vocabulary differences include 'rubbish' in the UK versus 'garbage' or 'trash' in the US, 'holidays' versus 'vacation', 'flats' versus 'apartments', and 'lift' versus 'elevator'.
• 👖 The word 'pants' refers to an outer garment in the UK but means underpants in the US, with 'trousers' being the UK term for the outer garment.
• 📚 Spelling differences are partly due to Noah Webster's 18th-century reforms, like 'centre' becoming 'center', 'colour' becoming 'color', and '-ise' becoming '-ize'.
• 📉 In terms of grammar, British English uses 'shall' more frequently for the future and to ask for advice or opinions, while American English does not.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation differences include the rhotic 'r' in American English versus the non-rhotic 'r' in British English, and the hard 't' sounds in British Received Pronunciation versus the flapped 't' in American English.
• 🔠 The 'o' sound in words like 'stop' is unrounded in American English (/ɑ/) and rounded in British English (/ɒ/), and the 'a' sound in words like 'half' is /æ/ in American English and /ɑː/ in British English.
• 🚶‍♂️ Regional dialects and sociolects can have more significant differences than the standard varieties, such as the Cockney or Georgie accents in the UK.
• 📚 Learners of English focusing on one variety may initially struggle to understand the other but can adapt with more exposure.
• 📢 The video encourages viewers to share additional differences between American and British English in the comments section.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the Langfocus channel video presented in the transcript?

The main topic of the video is the differences between British English and American English.

Who is the speaker in the video and what is his nationality?

The speaker is Paul, who identifies himself as Canadian.

Why might the speaker's Canadian accent be relevant to the discussion of American English?

The speaker's Canadian accent is relevant because Standard Canadian English is very close to General American English, allowing him to provide accurate American examples unless a distinction is needed.

What are the main categories of differences discussed between British and American English in the video?

The main categories of differences discussed are vocabulary, accent, spelling, and grammar.

How does the speaker describe the difference in vocabulary between 'rubbish' and 'trash' or 'garbage'?

In the US, people generally say 'trash' or 'garbage', while in the UK, they generally say 'rubbish'.

What is the difference in terminology for the floor levels in buildings between the US and the UK?

In the US, the ground level is considered the first floor, while in the UK, it is the ground floor, with the first floor being the level above.

What is the term used in the UK for what Americans call an 'elevator'?

In the UK, an 'elevator' is referred to as a 'lift'.

What is the difference in the pronunciation of 'r' sounds between American and British English?

American English is rhotic, pronouncing 'r' sounds clearly, while British English is non-rhotic, not pronouncing 'r' sounds unless followed by a vowel.

What is the term 'intrusive r' and how does it affect pronunciation in British English?

The 'intrusive r' is a phenomenon in British English where an 'r' sound is added before a word that starts with a vowel, even if the word itself doesn't have an 'r'.

How does the spelling of words ending in ~re and ~nce differ between American and British English?

Most words ending in ~re in British English end in ~er in American English, and some words ending in ~nce in British English are spelled with ~nse in American English.

What are some minor differences in grammar between British and American English?

Some minor differences include the use of 'shall' for the future in British English, different prepositions like 'at the weekend' vs. 'on the weekend', and variations in past tense forms such as 'learned' vs. 'learnt'.

What is the difference in the past participle of the verb 'get' between American and British English?

In American English, the past participle of 'get' is 'gotten', while in British English, it is 'got'.

What is the term used in the UK for a professional legal consultant, and how does it differ from the term used in the US?

In the UK, a professional legal consultant is often referred to as a 'solicitor', while in the US, the term 'lawyer' is typically used.

What is the British term for 'pants' that can also be used as an adjective meaning something is 'crappy' or 'it sucks'?

The British term for 'pants' used in this context is 'pants' itself, which can be an adjective to describe something as being of poor quality.