For the UC de Temuco by Ieva Zebryte

The Lawyers Song

(melody: the happy widows waltz/Valsen ur Glada nkan)

We are lawyers We are lawyers All of us. We are lawyers We are lawyers Stay as such. And if you dont believe us Just wait and see Only those who talk so much Can lawyers be. Verse 2 Only those who charge so much Verse 3 Only those who drink so much Verse 4 Only those who f#*k so much

Game
Choose you side
American English British English

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UK vs. US English
Quotation Marks US English uses double quotation marks ( ) as opposed to single ( ) and the final punctuation is included within the quotation marks. e.g. Chief Justice Harcourt stated that the Rome Statute does not comply with international law. In UK English the final punctuation is placed outside of the quotation marks. e.g. Chief Justice Harcourt stated that the Rome Statute does not comply with international law.
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UK vs. US English
Hyphens Hyphens are rarely used in US English (e.g. preemption, pretrial and cooperation). In UK English, hyphens are used in preemption, pre-trial and co-operation. z or s? In US English, the letter (z) is generally used in such words as recognize and authorize. In UK English recognise and authorise is generally used, but it is not wrong to use the letter (z). Irrespective of this, certain words in US and UK English will always end in (ise). For example, advise, arise, compromise, enfranchise, excise, premise and merchandise.

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UK vs. US English
-er ending In US English, the -er ending is used in words like theater, center, meter and fiber. The equivalent in UK English is theatre, centre, metre and fibre. -se ending US English uses the ending (-se) for both the verb and noun form of words like license, defense, offense and pretense. In UK English the verb form is often given the (se) ending. For example, device/devise, licence/license and practice/practise. As an exception to the US English standard, Roschier uses the UK English spelling of defence (with a c as opposed to an s).

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UK vs. US English
l or ll? US English uses a single (l) for certain words (e.g. traveled and counseled). o or ou? US English prefers (o) to (ou) in certain words (e.g. color, humor, honor and behavior) as opposed to UK English (e.g. colour, humour, honour and behaviour). -e or eu? US English leaves out the final silent (-e) or (-eu) (e.g. analog, ax and catalog). In UK English the equivalent would be analogue, axe and catalogue. -eable or able? US English leaves out the silent (e) in words such as likable, unshakable and aging but the silent e remains in words where it affects the sounds of the preceding consonant (e.g. traceable and manageable).

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Some words to compare

British aerial (TV) aluminium anti-clockwise at weekends aubergine autumn banknote bill biscuit braces building society American antenna aluminum counterclockwise on weekends eggplant fall bill check cookie suspenders savings and loan association

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Some terms to compare

British called to the bar competition law articles of association balance sheet bills bonus or scrip issue company creditors debtors depreciation American admitted to the bar antitrust law Bylaws statement of financial position Notes stock dividend or stock split corporation payables receivables amortization

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Some terms to compare

British employment law exceptional items flotation indemnify land and buildings maintenance nominal value ordinary shares preference shares profit and loss account provisions American labor law unusual items initial public offering (IPO) hold harmless and indemnify real estate alimony par value common stock preferred stock Income statement allowances
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Some terms to compare

British receivership share premium shareholders funds stocks theft turnover undistributable reserves American chapter 11 bankruptcy additional paid-in capital stockholders equity inventories Larceny revenues restricted surplus

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Difference related to cultural values

British English contains a number of frequently used metaphors relating to football (scoring an own goal) and cricket (a sticky wicket), while American English uses metaphors relating to baseball (in the ball park). Individual writers have their own styles which may incorporate aspects of both British and American tendencies. However, in general:

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Difference related to cultural values

However, in general:
British English tends to react more slowly to new words and phrases than American English. American English enthusiastically adopts new usages, some of which later pass into general use (e.g. corporate citizen, social performance), and some die out after a short period in fashion (e.g. synergy). British English has a slight tendency to vagueness and ponderous diction. American English (at its best) tends to be more direct and vivid.
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Difference related to cultural values

However, in general:
American English tends to be more slangy than British English. American English has a tendency to lengthen unnecessarily existing words in an effort to make them sound more important (thus transport becomes transportation).

Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

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Difference related to cultural values

Finally:
Both American and British English are keen on euphemisms. In British English, these are often used for humorous purposes (e.g. to be economical with the truth) or to smooth over something unpleasant. In American English they may be used for prudish reasons (thus lavatory or WC becomes restroom or bathroom), to make something mundane sound important (thus rat-catcher becomes rodent operative), or to cover up the truth of something unpleasant (thus civilian deaths in war become collateral damage).
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Consulting & Training (CaT) Asesora y Capacitacin

Desarrollo de Proyectos Comercio Internacional Asesora Medio Ambiental Derecho de la U.E. Ingls Gerencial Capacitacin Gerencial Project Development International Commerce Environmental Matters EU Law Business English Management Trainings

ieva.zebryte@p2p-cat.com Cel.: +56 (9) 928 44791 (Movistar) Office: +56 (45) 444104 Oficina Bernardo OHiggins N1050, Pucn, IX Region, Chile http://www.p2p-cat.com
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