American English or British English?
The Differences in Spelling and Grammar in British and US English
Aug 7, 2009
Speakers of another language trying to learn English are often confused between American English and British English; even those of American or British birth can become confused, if attempting to use either American or British English in the correct context. In some instances, both American English and British English words may mean the same and have the same spelling but the pronunciation may be different. Moreover, an American English word might have an entirely different interpretation in the British English language, leading to confusion, misunderstandings or embarrassment.
The Origins of American English
American English was naturally influenced by the the first immigrants to the USA; in the seventeenth century, the majority of immigrants to the East Coast of America were British, with a small number of French and German immigrants. English was therefore chosen as the common American language and regional English dialects eventually disappeared as the new immigrants worked together to create a 'new' country.
Native American Indians also influenced the development of an American English language through interaction with the new immigrants and the inclusion of Native American words into everyday American language. In the eighteenth century, American English developed further through the inclusion of French, Dutch and German words and a varied pronunciation of British English words by Scottish and Irish settlers. As more and more immigrants arrived in America from countries such as Mexico and China, American English began to separate from traditional British English.
The Influence of Noah Webster on American English
Noah Webster (1758 – 1843), an American lexicographer, greatly influenced the spelling variations between American English and British English; Noah Webster published An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) and The American Spelling Book (1783). The aim of Noah Webster was to standardize the spelling of American English which had developed from British English, particularly in view of the political separation of America from Great Britain in the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Common Spelling Differences Between American English and British English Adjectives and Nouns
Many American English adjectives and nouns differ in spelling to British English adjectives and nouns; some of the most common differences are (note, this list is not complete):
- British English words containing -our are replaced in American English with -or; for example, colour becomes color
- British English words containing -se are replaced in American English with -ze; for example, criticise becomes criticize
- British English words containing -re are replaced in American English with -er; for example, centre becomes center
- British English words containing -l are replaced in American English with -ll; for example, enrolment becomes enrollment
- British English words containing -que are replaced in American English with -ck; for example, cheque becomes check.
Common Spelling Differences Between American English and British English Verbs
Verb formation also differs between American English and British English; examples include the past participle of:
- base verb to dream translates from British English dreamt to American English dreamed
- base verb to fit translates from British English fitted to American English fit
- base verb to knit translates from British English knitted to American English knit (in simple past tense form).
Common Words in American English and British English
Confusion arises between American English and British English in the description of objects in every day use; some common words in American English and British English (with the British English word listed first, followed by the equivalent in American English) are:
- flat means apartment
- pram means baby carriage
- loo/WC means bathroom or restroom
- biscuit means cookie
- lift means elevator
- torch means flashlight
- chips means fries whereas chips in American English means crisps in British English
- petrol means gas
- bloke/chap means guy
- bonnet (car) means hood (car)
- boot (car) means trunk (car)
- holiday means vacation
- post code means zip code
- bin means trash can
- football means soccer (and not American football)
- trousers means pants whereas pants in British English means panties in American English(or British equivalent knickers).
The Merging of American English and British English
Although Noah Webster campaigned to distinguish the differences between American English and British English, many American English words today are in common usage in many English speaking countries of the world, including Great Britain. It is advisable if attempting to learn either American English of British English to study each language individually and learn the accepted form of English for an individual situation.
References:
Kretzschmar, William A., A.B., M.A., Ph.D. 'American English', Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009
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