Activity 4: Research: American vs a variety of English

Sofía Margarita García Ríos

Master’s degree in English Language Teaching, IEXPRO University
MEI11309: English in the Community
Miss Marcela Cardoza Pérez
Sunday, May 28th, 2023.
LINGUISTIC
FEATURES OF
AMERICAN
& BRITISH
ENGLISH
INTRODUCTION

It's important to remember that "American English",

sometimes known as General American, is a variant of English
when contrasting it to "a variety of English." English is a
universal language that has many regional and national
variations. Strevens (1978) identified three main groups for
vocabulary. First, there is the common word stock, which
consists of terms that communicate universal concepts in both
British and American English. Second, the words with different
meanings which are common ideas expressed by words that
are different in British and American English. Last but not least
are the words without counterparts, which include terminology
for concepts or things that don't have translations in other
languages. There are also variations in pronunciation, spelling
and grammar. In order to illustrate some of the most significant
distinctions, I will make a comparison between American
English and another English language, the British English.
PRONUNCIATION
English pronunciation differs between American and British speakers. There are
variations in vowel sounds as well as intonation patterns. Click on this icons to hear
some examples of this distinction.

Vocabulary American English British English

The In American, though, you pronounce When the letter /r/ is in the
pronunciation every written /r/ middle position in a monosyllabic
of /r/ word and after a vowel, in british
here /hɪr/ English you don't pronounce it.
there /ðer/ Also drop the letter /r/ at the end
beer /bɪr/ of words.

here /hɪər/
there /ðeər/
beer /bɪər/

The When the letter /t/ is in the middle of a It is always pronounced in british
pronunciation word changes to a soft /d/ english.
of /t/
saturday /ˈsæt̬ .ɚ.deɪ/ saturday /ˈsæt.ə.deɪ/
party /ˈpɑːr.t̬ i/ party /ˈpɑː.ti/

Vowel Sounds. In American English you don’t round the In British you use back rounded
lips, so it’s: open sound /ɒ/ for words like
/ɒ/ to /ɑ/
shop /ʃɑp/ shop /ʃɒp/
lost /lɑst/ lost /lɒst/
want /wɑnt/ want /wɒnt/

/a/ to /ɛ/ Words containing the spelling ARR, Carry /ˈkær.i/

change from /a/ to /ɛ/ in American. Embarrass /ɪmˈbær.əs/
The Harry /ˈhær.i/
pronunciation Carry /ˈker.i/ Marry /ˈmær.i/
and usage of /a/ Embarrass /ɪmˈber.əs/ Merry /ˈmer.i/
is fairly similar in Harry /ˈher.i/ Mary /meə.ri/
American and Marry, Merry and Mary would all be the
British; words same in American English. /ˈmer.i/
like CAT and
MAD are very
similar.
 Vocabulary American English British English

/əː/ to /ɜr/ The /r/ quality in American, /hərd/, /fərst/
& /wərst/. This sound nearly always has
an ‘r’ in its spelling, but even when it
doesn’t.
Colonel /ˈkərnəl/,
The British thinking sound /əː/,
found in words like HEARD
/həːd/, FIRST /fəːst/ and WORST
/wəːst/, is pronounced differently
– with the tongue raised
Colonel: which is /ˈkəːnəl/ in
British English.

/ɔː/ to /ɔr/ & /ɑ/ SWORD /sɔrd/ , FORCE /fɔrs/
/ɑ/ for words without /r/ so
THOUGHT /θɑt/ , LAW /lɑ/
In British English CAUGHT /kɔːt/
and COURT would be the same,
COT /kɒt/ would be different.
Long back rounded /ɔː/ as in:
SWORD /sɔːd/, FORCE /fɔːs/
THOUGHT /θɔːt/ , LAW /lɔː/

/ɑː/ to /ɑr/ & /a/ It is pronounced /ɑr/ in American if Long back unrounded /ɑː/ like in
there’s an ‘r’ in the spelling so CAR /kɑː/
CAR /kɑr/ , START /stɑrt/ START /stɑːt/
Most of those words that don’t have an AFTER /ɑːftə/
‘r’ in GB are pronounced /a/ in American HALF /hɑːf/
AFTER /ˈaftər/ , HALF /haf/

/ɛː/ to /ɛr/ It’s pronounced /ɛr/ in American English
HAIR /hɛr/, BEAR /bɛr/, WHERE /wɛr/.
This makes FAIRY /ˈfɛri/ and FERRY the
same in American.
The long vowel /ɛː/ in HAIR /hɛː/,
BEAR /bɛː/ & WHERE /wɛː/ is
always spelt with an ‘r’
Ferry /ˈfɛːri/ & /ˈfɛri/.

/ɪə/ to /ɪr/ It is pronounced /ɪr/ in American so British English /ɪə/ in words like
STEER /stɪr/, CLEAR /klɪr/ &V CHEER STEER /stɪə/, CLEAR /klɪə/ &
/tʃɪr/. CHEER /tʃɪə/

/əʊ/ to /oʊ/ The diphthong /əʊ/ in American istarts In standard GB English the
to the back /oʊ/: GO /goʊ/, NO /noʊ/, diphthong /əʊ/ starts in the
SHOW /ʃoʊ/. centre of the mouth GO, NO &
SHOW.

/ː/ Vowel heard /hərd/ heard /həːd/

Length bar /bɑr/ bar /bɑː/
Some are caught /kɑt/ caught /kɔːt/
pronounced need /nid/ need /niːd/
significantly shoe /ʃu/ shoe /ʃuː/
longer in BE.
COMMON WORDS
Different Pronunciation
Word American English British English

new /nuː/ /njuː/

adult /əˈdʌlt/ /ˈæd.ʌlt/

brochure /broʊˈʃʊr/ /ˈbrəʊ.ʃər/

garage /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/ /ˈɡær.ɑːʒ/

address /ˈæd.res/ /əˈdres/

laboratory /ˈlæb.rə.tɔːr.i/ /ləˈbɒr.ə.tər.i/

route /raʊt/ /ruːt/

advertisement /ˌæd.vɚˈtaɪz.mənt/ /ədˈvɜː.tɪs.mənt/

controversy /ˈkɑːn.trə.vɝː.si/ /ˈkɒn.trə.vɜː.si/

patent /ˈpæt.ənt/ /ˈpeɪ.tənt/

apricot /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɑːt/ /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/

vase /veɪs/ /vɑːz/

hurricane /ˈhɝː.ɪ.keɪn/ /ˈhʌr.ɪ.kən/

inquiry / enquiry /ˈɪŋ.kwɚ.i/ inquiry

leisure /ˈliː.ʒɚ/ /ˈleʒ.ər/

either /ˈiː.ðɚ/ /ˈaɪ.ðər/

neither /ˈniː.ðɚ/ /ˈnaɪ.ðər/

VOCABULARY
COMMON WORD STOCK
American English and British English have variations in
vocabulary. There are some terms that are used frequently in
one type but not the other. The following list includes common
words and phrases in American English together with their
British English equivalents.

American English British English American English British English

apartment flat diaper nappy

antenna aerial drugstore chemist's

attorney barrister, solicitor drapes curtains

bar pub elevator lift

baggage luggage french fries chips

bill bank note fall autumn

billboard hoarding first floor ground floor

boiler grill garbage rubbish

cookie biscuit gasoline petrol

closet wardrobe green thumb green fingers

cottoncandy candyfloss garbage collector dustman

corn maize hood bonnet

crib cot highway main road

 VOCABULARY
COMMON WORD STOCK

American English British English American English British English

intersection crossroads sick ill

janitor caretaker sidewalk pavement

line queue sweater jersey, jumper,

pullover, sweater

mad angry
stove cooker

motor engine
silverware cutlery

movie film
soccer football

pacifier dummy
sweater jumper

purse handbag
taxi cab

potato chips potato crisps

the movies the cinema

pitcher jug
thread cotton

rubbers gumshoes,
wellington boots thumbtack drawing pin

pants trousers trashcan dustbin

garbage can rubbish-bin

parking lot car park

truck lorry

raincoat mackintosh
vacuum cleaner hoover

sneakers gym shoes,

tennis-shoes wreck crash
DIFFERENT
MEANINGS
Although English is a language that is spoken in both England and America, some
words suggest that the native speakers of each nation are actually using different
languages. The following list of words that have entirely different meanings in
England and America will help you avoid any embarrassing social faux pas on either
side of the Atlantic.

Purse Geezer Chips

A woman's handbag is In the US, an older guy is

referred to as a "purse" referred to as a "geezer"
in American English. in a somewhat mocking
The term "purse" is manner. In the U.K., Thinly sliced deep-fried
used in England to however, the term potato snacks are
describe a pocketbook, "geezer" is somewhat referred to as "chips" in
mainly a woman's interchangeable with America while thick-
"lad," a hyper-masculine
wallet rather than a type of male who enjoys cut deep-fried potato
man's, which is simply beer, football, and the slices are known as
referred to as a wallet. occasional fight. "crisps" among U.K.

Pants Biscuit Rubber

If there is one word to

know about shape- When a person from
shifting, it is "pants." England uses the word
"Pants" refers to "rubber," they are
clothing worn from the referring to a rubber
waist to the ankles in In America, a "biscuit" eraser that is used to
the United States. is a buttery bread remove pencil marks.
Locals in the UK similar to a dinner roll However, in America,
understand "pants" to whereas English the term, refers to a
mean underwear. natives call it cookie. condom.
Football
Football is more
logically understood as
a team sport in Britain
than it is in America,
where an oval ball is
usually tossed and
handled by hand. In
Britain, football is also a
team sport.
First Floor
The floor above ground
level is referred to as
the "first floor" in
Britain, but Americans
regard the floor at
ground level to be the
"first floor" of a
building.
Bird
The term "bird" is a
well-known, if rather
pejorative, slang term
for women. Birds are
feathered, winged,
flying creatures in the
US.
Solicitor Jumper
In England, a “jumper”
is a cozy pullover
In the United States, sweater. In the US it is
door-to-door salespeople used to refer to
are referred to as
"solicitors," although someone who jumps
residents in the United to their death from a
Kingdom refer to lawyers height like a building
by the same word. or a bridge.
Fancy Dress Chaps
In England, “chaps” is a
In the US, formal wear, colloquial term for a
such as ball gowns and group of men.
black tie, is required, Americans use “chaps”
whereas fancy-dress to refer to leather
events in the United leggings designed to
Kingdom are costume protect one’s legs
parties. while horseback riding.
Pissed Braces
In America, "braces"
are orthodontic
appliances that are
mostly worn by
children and teenagers
When a person from to straighten their
the US uses the word
teeth. While in
"pissed," they are England, "braces" can
actually enraged. A Brit
be suspenders or other
who says the same garments worn to hold
thing is drunk.
up skirts or pants.
Bog Trainers Jumper

In the US a “bog” is a A professional who is

wetland area featuring paid to instruct you in
muddy grounds and a exercise is known as a A “bin” in the U.S. is a
swamp-like "trainer" in the US. storage container,
Conversely, "trainers" are while in the U.K., the
environment. For sneakers-like shoes that
british “bog,” means can be worn for physical same term refers to a
bathroom. activity. garbage can.

Nappy Blinkers Casket

In the UK a nappy is
something a baby In the UK blinkers are
wears, what americans flaps attached to a race
called a diaper, horse's face to restrict In the UK is another
whereas a nappy in the its vision and in the US word for jewellery box,
US means frizzy or they are indicators on a and in the US it is
hairy. car. another word for coffin.

Homely Conforter Boot

It is used to describe a A comforter is a quilted

comfortable, cosy bedspread in the While in America a
house in the UK, but in United States, whereas boot is a type of
the US it is used to in England, the word footwear, in England,
describe someone who "comforter" refers to a the term is used to
is plain or ugly. baby's pacifier. refer to a trunk of a car.
WORDS WITHOUT
COUNTERPARTS
There are several words that exist in either American English or British English
without direct counterparts in the other variant. Here are a few examples:

British English words without direct

American English counterparts:

Trousers: In British English, "trousers" refer to the garment worn on the lower
body covering both legs. In American English, the equivalent term is "pants," but
"pants" in British English refers to undergarments.

Lorry: In British English, a "lorry" is a large vehicle used for transporting goods.
The American English equivalent term is "truck," but "truck" in British English
typically refers to a smaller vehicle.

Biscuit: In British English, a "biscuit" is a baked, sweet or savory, small bread-like

snack. In American English, the term "biscuit" typically refers to a soft, fluffy
bread roll.

American English words

without direct British
English counterparts:

Faucet: In American English, a "faucet" refers to the device used to control

the flow of water in sinks and showers. In British English, it is called a "tap."

Sidewalk: In American English, "sidewalk" refers to the paved path alongside

a road for pedestrians. In British English, it is called a "pavement."

Diaper: In American English, a "diaper" is a disposable or cloth garment worn

by babies to absorb bodily waste. In British English, the term "nappy" is used
instead.

These are just a few examples, and there may be other words that have slightly
different meanings or usage between American and British English without
direct counterparts. It's important to note that some words may have become
more well-known and used in both forms over time owing to the influence of
the media and international communication.
There are numerous differences between British and
American spellings. American lexicographer Noah Webster
can be given credit for this. The Webster's Third Edition
dictionary is well-known. Author and educator Noah
Webster started working to reform English spelling in the
late 1700s. He was upset by the irregular English spelling.
Words were spelled as they appeared on the page by
Webster. Additionally demonstrating America's
independence from England, the spelling shift. Webster's
impact can be seen in how Americans spell terms like
"color" (from "colour"), "honor" (from "honour"), and "labor"
(from "labour"). To ensure that the spelling of these words
matched how they were spoken, Webster removed the
letter "u" from them. In an effort to make the written and
spoken languages more similar, Noah Webster made the
following changes to spelling in 1789:

SPELLING
British English American English

-oe-/-ae- (e.g. anaemia, diarrhoea,

-e- (e.g. anemia, diarrhea, encyclopedia)
encyclopaedia)

-t (e.g. burnt, dreamt, leapt) -ed (e.g. burned, dreamed, leaped)

-ence (e.g. defence, offence, licence) -ense (defense, offense, license)

-ell- (e.g. cancelled, jeweller, marvellous) -el- (e.g. canceled, jeweler, marvelous)

-ise (e.g. appetiser, familiarise, organise) -ize (e.g. appetizer, familiarize, organize)

-l- (e.g. enrol, fulfil, skilful) -ll- (e.g. enroll, fulfill, skillfull)

-og (e.g. analog, monolog, catalog)*Note that

-ogue (e.g. analogue, monologue,
American English also recognizes words
catalogue)
spelled with –ogue

-ou (e.g. colour, behaviour, mould) -o (e.g. color, behavior, mold)

-re (e.g. metre, fibre, centre) -er (e.g. meter, fiber, center)

-y- (e.g. tyre) -i- (e.g. tire)

 GRAMMAR
There are certain grammar distinctions between British and American English in
addition to differences in spelling and vocabulary.

Collective nouns are regarded as singular in American English (the band is playing,
for example). The plural form of a collective noun, however, is more frequently used
in British English, as in the sentence "The band is playing."

The American preference for the more casual 'will' or 'should' is shared by the
British, who are more likely to employ formal speech, such as 'shall'.

The British have long since abandoned the use of "gotten" as the past tense of "get"
in favor of "got," but Americans still use it.

In American English, the word "needn't," which is frequently used in British English,
is hardly ever used. 'Don't need to' is used in its place.

In British English, ‘at’ is the preposition in relation to time and place. However, in
American English, ‘on’ is used for time and ‘in’ for place.

Two Ways To Show Possession

In English, there are two verbs that can be used to demonstrate possession, particularly
when speaking. The verbs "to have" and "have got" are used. Both versions of English
are accepted in British and American English, but British speakers prefer to use "have
got" while American speakers use "have" instead.

American English British English

Do you have any friends here? Have you got any friends here?

They have an amazing new car. They've got an amazing new car.
CONCLUSION
In order to promote linguistic
diversity, cultural understanding, and
successful communication, it is
important to increase students'
awareness of the different variations
of English. I would tackle this subject
and increase my students' awareness
by doing the following.
I would start by stating that there are
multiple varieties of English spoken
throughout the world, resulting in a
variety of Englishes. I would emphasize
that these variations are caused by
historical, cultural, and geographical
factors. It is also important to give an
introduction to some popular types of
English, including British English,
American English, Australian English,
Canadian English, and Indian English
and to go over the linguistic
characteristics that set these variations
apart such as pronunciation, vocabulary,
syntax, and idiomatic expressions. To
highlight the differences, I would
distribute audio or video excerpts of
speakers from various English-speaking
regions.
History of English also plays an
important role when trying to make
students aware regarding the varieties of
Englishes. I would describe the historical
context and cultural elements that have
influenced the variations and discuss the
role that
colonization, migration, and
globalization have played in the
development of English around the
world. Also, it would be important to
describe how the creation of unique
English variations has been influenced
by regional languages, indigenous
cultures, and social settings. I would start
a discussion about the socioeconomic
factors that influence linguistic diversity,
such as geography, ethnicity, social
status, and education, as well as how
understanding various English dialects
can improve communication, promote
cross-cultural exchange, and prevent
misunderstandings.
I would advise students to investigate
works of literature, music, movies, and
other media from other English-
speaking nations and to have
discussions on how various language
varieties are portrayed in media and the
importance of correct representation.
Students would be required to analyze
texts or media excerpts that
demonstrate the use of particular
English dialects and talk
about how this affects storytelling and English. Their total knowledge of
cultural identity. I would encourage language and communication abilities
students to investigate and conduct improve as they become more aware of
study on certain English variations, then the differences in pronunciation,
present or write about their results. vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic
expressions.
The most important thing, in my opinion,
is to promote acceptance and an In summary, raising awareness of the
appreciation of linguistic variety by varieties of Englishes helps challenge
highlighting the significance of stereotypes and biases associated with
accepting and valuing every variation of specific accents or dialects. I think that
English and I would encourage my by exposing students to many English
students to question the prejudices, variations, I am equipping them with the
preconceptions, and stereotypes that tools they need to function in a variety of
exist towards various forms of English. By linguistic settings. They learn to
putting these techniques into practice, I appreciate the different accents, dialects,
hope to increase my students' and linguistic nuances, which improves
understanding and enjoyment of all their ability to communicate with
kinds of English, creating a more individuals of all backgrounds. Students
welcoming and global-minded are more prepared for interactions with
environment for language learning. people in the real world, and productive
cross-cultural communication is
Raising students' awareness regarding promoted.
the varieties of Englishes can
significantly influence my teaching
practice in several ways. I can foster an
inclusive classroom climate where
students from different languages feel
valued and respected by recognizing
and appreciating the diversity of
Englishes. This strategy promotes a
feeling of community and calls for active
participation from every student. By
investigating the different English
variations, I can add cultural, historical,
and social settings into my lessons. I can
help students develop their intercultural
competency by emphasizing how local
languages, customs, and migration
patterns affect linguistic variation.
Students can better appreciate every
aspect of language by learning about
different types of
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Fang F. and Wei R. (October 2018) Developing students' awareness of Global Englishes. ELT Journal.
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[Read: May 25th, 2023]

Joseph H. (May 18th, 2018) Pronunciation. Pronunciation Studio.

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eak'. [Read: May 23rd, 2023]

Julia G ( January 5th, 2018) 18 Words That Have Completely Different Meanings in England and
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that-have-completely-different-meanings-in-england-and-america/ [Read: May 24th, 2023]

Universidad IEXPRO. (n.d.) English in the Community Chapter 4 English and Englishes