The English language is the most widely spoken and known language in all countries of the world. The differences between English spoken in the UK and American English are many, although they are the same language.
Among the differences between English spoken in England and American English, it is the differences in pronunciation that stand out the most. Although it is the same language, let’s examine these great differences in substance.
British English and American English Accent Difference
There are accent differences that can be distinguished quite clearly between English spoken in the UK and American English . The British use longer and heavier accents. American English speakers speak faster by swallowing words.
Although there is not a huge difference between British English and American English, there is a difference in the stress of words. There are differences between the cities of London and Glasgow in England. Likewise, there is a difference in accent even between New York and Texas cities in America. While the letter “r” is pronounced very dominant in American English, in England it is pronounced without pressure.
Tense Usages Between British English and American English
In English spoken in England, the present perfect is used to describe both the present and the recent past. But the recent past tense is only used as the past tense in American English. The British do not use this tense in the past.
American English uses a simpler grammatical structure. English people make sentences according to the rules when making sentences. For example; While the Americans say “I ate lunch”, the British use it as “I have eaten lunch”.
3- Word Usage Differences Between British English and American English
The biggest differences between British English and American English are the differences in word usage. For example, the word vacation in British English is used as holiday, while in American English it is used as vacation. Word differences are found in many words like this.
The word differences between British English and American English allow them to be distinguished. The British use the word rubber as an eraser, while the Americans use it as an eraser.
4- Spelling Differences Between British English and American English
One of the important differences between British and American English is the spelling differences between the two English languages . These differences can also serve to distinguish between the two. In fact, although there are no obvious differences between the two English, these differences can be seen in spelling and pronunciation.
For example, words derived from Latin and Greek entered English. These include different spellings in British English and American English. For example;
- While it is written as “colour” in English used for color, it is written as “color” in American English. This word came to the language by being derived from Latin.
- As another example, British English which means center uses it as “centre”, while American English uses this word as “center”.
- If we give another example as words derived from Greek, the word meaning to speak is referred to as “dialogue” in British English, while Americans simplify this word and write it as “dialogue”.
5- Preposition Differences Between British English and American English
There are prepositional differences between British English and American English . Some prepositions used between British and American English are used differently. The usage places of these prepositions such as in, at, on may vary.
In fact, there are differences between the English used in England and the English used in America, even when the city changes. For example, while using the preposition “play in a team” in England, they are used as “play on a team” in American English. Prepositions can be used in different ways between two different places.
