Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Omar 86]

Hi,
I am studying English in a university here in Saudi Arabia
my problem is that I sometimes study English in American style and sometimes in British style.
The university syllabuses are 100% American, but I am afraid about the British.
Does it worth all this afraidness??? Will it affect my English in the future??
Please help

[CP]

In 1887, Oscar Wilde wrote, "We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language." Sometimes you hear this quoted as, "America and England are two nations divided by a common language." Sometimes the quote is attributed to George Bernard Shaw.

Anyway, everyone has to cope with the difference between British and American English, and for that matter with the many differences in pronunciation and idiom in English all around the world. Welcome to the club.

If you are worried that your English will be or seem inferior because it is American, or will sound less sophisticated because it is not British, try hiring a British tutor to school you in British spelling, idiom, and accent. Make sure it is the right accent, though. The difference between Fraffly and *beep* is the difference between Prince Charles and Charlie the cab driver.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[CP]

Oh, d a r n. Caught by the naughty-word robot again.

The beeped word is C o c k n e y. It's OK to say it in a Kindergarten class, Mr. Robot!
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb