This document summarizes some key differences between American and British English in terms of phonology, orthography, lexicon, and Kachru's model of the circles of English. It provides examples of words that are pronounced or spelled differently, as well as some lexical variations. The phonology section notes differences in vowel sounds and consonant pronunciation. Orthography examines spelling variations. Lexicon lists some words with different meanings. Kachru's model outlines the inner, outer, and expanding circles of English usage globally.
This document summarizes some key differences between American and British English in terms of phonology, orthography, lexicon, and Kachru's model of the circles of English. It provides examples of words that are pronounced or spelled differently, as well as some lexical variations. The phonology section notes differences in vowel sounds and consonant pronunciation. Orthography examines spelling variations. Lexicon lists some words with different meanings. Kachru's model outlines the inner, outer, and expanding circles of English usage globally.
This document summarizes some key differences between American and British English in terms of phonology, orthography, lexicon, and Kachru's model of the circles of English. It provides examples of words that are pronounced or spelled differently, as well as some lexical variations. The phonology section notes differences in vowel sounds and consonant pronunciation. Orthography examines spelling variations. Lexicon lists some words with different meanings. Kachru's model outlines the inner, outer, and expanding circles of English usage globally.
Phonology a. duce in a more relaxed manner in American and tense manner in British Ex. reduce, produce, seduce b. Sometimes letter/s is/are omitted in British English but not in English Ex. secretary, secondary, little c. Silent d would attract notice in American English but not in British Ex. landlady, handkerchief, grandson d. Sound of / / in American and /a/ in British Ex. advance bath dance after fasten giraffe answer glass staff ant banana basket Orthography a. Or vs. our c. og vs. ogue e. ense vs. ence color – colour analog – analogue defense - defence favorite – favourite catalog – catalogue license - licence b. Ll vs. l d. ck vs. k vs. que f. ze vs. se enrollment – enrolment check – cheque analyze - analyse skillful – skilful checkered – chequered criticize - criticise g. er vs. re i. dg vs. dge / g vs. gu center – centre aging - ageing meter – metre argument - arguement h. e vs. oe vs. ae j. others encyclopedia – encyclopaedia jewelry - jewellery maneuver – manoeuver draft - draught medieval – mediaeval pajamas – pyjamas plow – plough program – programme tire - tyre k. In British, 2-syllable word ending in l preceded by vowel doubles l when a suffix is added Ex. counsel counseling counselling equal equaling equaling quarrel quarreling quarrelling signal signaling signalling travel traveling travelling excel exceling excelling propel propeling propelling Lexicon Ex. American British French fries chips jelly jam fall autumn freeway motorway pants trousers hood bonnet oatmeal porridge underpants pants apartment flat vacation holiday yard garden zipper zip baggage luggage faucet tap trunk lorry backpack rucksack gas petrol elevator lift bathrobe dressing gown soda fizzy drink overpass flyover garbage rubbish Karchru’s 3 Circles of English 1. Inner Circle – mother tongue or native language United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Nez Zeland 2. Outer Circle – second language or lingua franca Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia 3. Expanding Circle – foreign language or lacking official status China, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, USSR, Zimbabwe