(00:00): Welcome to the Merlin English AudioBlog. For full transcriptions, along with additional learning resources, visit www.merlinenglish.co.uk/members.

(00:15): Today, we will be looking at the advanced AudioBlog, Titled: American vs British English: A Comprehensive Guide.

… 1. Introduction …

(00:24): English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. However, not all English is created equal. While the language originated in England, it has evolved differently in many parts of the world. Today, two major variants of English are used - American English (AmE) and British English (BrE).

(00:51): Despite being the same language, these two variations differ in spelling, vocabulary and grammar. In this AudioBlog, we'll explore the key differences between American and British English, and consider why these differences exist.

… 2. A Very Brief and Simple History of American English …

(01:07): English was brought to America by the British in the 16th and 17th centuries. The first settlers, who came from regions like the south-west of England, East Anglia, and Scotland, had a different way of speaking known as "rhotic speech."

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_England#/media/File:South_West_England_in_England.svg)

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Anglia#/media/File:East_Anglia_UK_Locator_Map.svg)

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#/media/File:Scotland_in_the_UK_and_Europe.svg)

(https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/rhoticity-in-british-and-american-english#:~:text=Consider%20the%20word%20“car.”,A%20simple%20enough%20distinction.)

(01:27): They pronounced the "r" sound at the end of words and syllables, like in "car," "park," and "hard." As these settlers formed communities in the New World, their accents blended together and started to create the first American accent.

(https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World)

(01:44): At the same time in Britain, the upper class started to speak differently to separate themselves from the middle and lower classes. They softened the pronunciation of the "r" sound, and began to develop what is now know as Received Pronunciation (RP).

(https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/05/25/received-pronunciation-old-new/)

(01:59): Speaking with an RP accent became associated with education and high society, and more people in Britain began to adopt it. This led to a further split between American and British accents.

(02:12): European immigrants who came to America also had a big impact on the English language. They brought their own languages, dialects, and ways of speaking, which influenced how English was spoken in the United States. This diversity shaped American English and made it rich and varied.

(https://www.academypublication.com/issues/past/tpls/vol04/11/27.pdf)

(02:29): In the 18th century, efforts were made to standardise English. A group of London-based scholars published the "Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755, aiming to establish standard spellings, definitions, and pronunciations.

(https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/samuel-johnsons-a-dictionary-of-the-english-language-1755)

(02:46): Later, in 1828, American linguist Noah Webster published "An American Dictionary of the English Language." Webster wanted to show that American English and culture were different from Britain. He made changes to spellings and included words specific to America, known as "Americanisms".

(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noah-Webster-American-lexicographer)

(03:05): These historical factors all played a role in shaping American English into what it is today.

… 3. Spelling Differences …

(03:12): Spelling differences are perhaps the most noticeable between American and British English. One of the most obvious differences is in the use of the letter 'u'. British English tends to use the letter 'u' in words like 'colour', 'favour', 'neighbour', and 'honour', whereas American English drops the 'u' and spells the words as 'color', 'favor', 'neighbor', and 'honor'.

(https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/differences-in-british-and-american-spelling/)

(03:39): Another difference is in the spelling of certain words that end in 're' in British English but end in 'er' in American English. For example, 'centre' in British English becomes 'center' in American English, 'metre' becomes 'meter', and 'theatre' becomes 'theater'.

(03:58): There are also differences in the way some words are spelled when they end with 'l' or 'll'. For instance, American English uses double 'l' in words like 'enroll' and 'fulfill', while British English drops the second 'l' and spells the words as 'enrol' and 'fulfil’.

(04:16): Finally, there are some words that are spelt differently in both versions without any specific pattern. For example, 'cheque' in British English becomes 'check' in American English, and 'manoeuvre' in British English becomes 'maneuver' in American English.

(https://www.merlinenglish.co.uk/bre-vs-ame-irregular-spelling-differences)

(04:34): These differences in spelling can be attributed to a number of historical and cultural factors, including the influence of French and Latin on British English and the simplification of spelling in American English.

… 4. Vocabulary Differences …

(04:46): There are many words that are used differently or have different meanings in each version of the language. For example, in American English, the word 'truck' is used to describe a large vehicle used for carrying goods, while in British English, the word 'lorry' is used for the same purpose. Similarly, 'apartment' in American English is called a 'flat' in British English.

(https://www.britishcouncilfoundation.id/en/english/articles/british-and-american-english)

(05:15): 'Biscuit' in British English refers to a small, sweet, and crispy baked item that is often served with tea, while in American English, 'biscuit' refers to a type of bread roll that is usually served with breakfast.

(05:29): 'Boot' in British English refers to the trunk of a car, while in American English, 'boot' refers to a type of footwear. In American English, 'fries' refers to thin strips of potato that are often served as a side dish, while in British English, they are called 'chips'. 'Chips' in American English refers to thin slices of potato that are usually served as a snack. These are called ‘crisps’ in the UK.

(05:54): These differences in vocabulary can lead to confusion and misunderstandings between speakers of American and British English. However, being aware of these differences can help improve communication and understanding.

… 5. Grammar Differences …

(06:07): While the basic rules of grammar are the same, there are some differences in usage. One of the most noticeable differences is in the use of the present perfect tense. In British English, the present perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred in the recent past and has some relevance to the present.

(https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/british-english-american-english)

(06:30): For example, 'I have just finished my work' is a correct usage of the present perfect tense in British English. In American English, however, the simple past tense is more commonly used in such situations, as in 'I just finished my work'.

(06:46): Another difference is in the use of collective nouns. In American English, collective nouns such as 'team' or 'company' are considered as a single entity and are treated as singular nouns. For example, 'The team is playing well' is correct in American English. In British English, however, 'The team is playing well' or 'The team are playing well' are both considered correct.

(07:10): This depends on if we are putting emphasis on the team as a whole, or just the individual players of that team. There are also some differences in the use of prepositions.

(07:20): For example, in British English, 'at the weekend' is used to refer to the weekend, while in American English, 'on the weekend' is used instead. Additionally, in British English, 'in hospital' is used to refer to being admitted to a hospital, while in American English, 'in the hospital' is used instead.

… 6. Conclusion …

(07:42): In conclusion, while American and British English share a common origin and many similarities, there are also some notable differences in spelling, vocabulary and grammar. These differences can sometimes lead to confusion and misunderstandings, especially with those who use English as a second language.

(08:02): Being aware of these differences can help improve communication and understanding. Whether you are learning British or American English, it is important to familiarise yourself with the specific spelling, vocabulary and grammar conventions of the version of the language you wish to learn.

(08:20): Additionally, being open-minded and respectful of the differences between the two versions of English can help you better navigate conversations and interactions with speakers of both versions.

(08:32): Ultimately, both American and British English are rich and dynamic languages, and the differences between the two only serve to highlight the diversity and complexity of the English language as a whole.

View this episode’s exercise sheet here.