Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Raymond]

Hi~I'm a university man,my teacher give us a assignment:ask some question for someone.My question is:What's the difference between British English and America Engish? Please answer me! thanks.

[xun]

As far as I know, the difference about British English and America English is its pronunciation. For example, America's vowel: a, they pronunciation [�], but British pronunciation [a]. That's it.

[obelix]

There are also differences in spelling, with American English tending to be simplified e.g. American ax = English axe
American plow = English plough etc
There are also differences in usage: e.g. American garbage = English rubbish American trunk (of automobile) = English boot
In idiom: American to knock up means to get a girl pregnant. In English to knock up means to wake someone up (usually at a certain time.)

[lou lou]

Raymond,

There are lots of differences between English and American English. Think about when you hear songs. An English singer uses an American accent when singing although when they speak it is different. Colour in American is spelled Color. You should really ask your teacher to be more specific, or maybe they were just wanting you to come up with some ideas to begin a discussion.

[BMO]

go to http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa110698.htm (main differences between them)

go to www.google.com and enter difference in british and american english (don't put double quotes). you will get plenty of sites including the above.

good luck.

[ruth1e]

The main difference is spelling....many words have different spelling...colour/color practice/practise....and there are many more.

I must say that I haven't heard an English singer singing with an American accent....but if you listen to Scottish, Welsh and Irish, when they sing it all sounds English.

Also in American they use words like 'Dunno' a lot. They are used here..but not very much.

American English spelling is now taught in many lessons around the world. ..but British English came first!!!!

Ruth
Hartlepool, England
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Ruth Harnish