ONE LANGUAGE, TWO GRAMMARS?
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH ENGLISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH LANGUAGES
Erzhan Arman (China)
Kazakh national University named by Al-Farabi
Scientific director: Sandykbaeva U.D. Ph.D
Good morning my respectful teachers and my fellow schoolmates thank you for sharing the time with me and my speech. I am so honorable to be standing here to deliver my speech. The title of my speech is the differences between British English and American English.
Introduction
Nowadays English is the one of the most important languages in the world because of its worldwide use. Under the influence of geography, history, cultural and social custom in different areas, until recently, English has been divided into many varieties: Canadian English, Australian English, South African English and so on. British English and American English are the two main varieties of them.
American English is usually defined as the language that is spoken in the United States, American English grew out of British English of the 17th century. British English is the language that spoken in England and the British Empire along with countries owned by that Empire. Both American and British people can generally understand what each other’s saying, but sometimes it is necessary to explain some things. Some words or phrases could be taken the wrong way.
«We need the English Language to enter the global arena. Out of 10 million books published in the world 85% are in English. The science, all the new developments and information – they are all in English nowadays» said by the President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
It can be seen the importance of learning English,but as the non-native English speakers, most of the English learners in Kazakhstan think that the language used by British and American are the same one English,and there’s no difference between them. In fact, there are many unquestioned discrepancies between these two forms of English. So let’s find out immediately.
1. Differences in Grammar
Use of the Present Perfect
Traditionally, British English use thePresent Perfect to talk about past action which has an effect on the present moment and with the words already, just and yet. In American English both simple past and present perfect are possible in such situations.
I have just lost my pen. Can you borrow me yours? (BE)
I lost my pen. OR I havelost my pen.(AE)
2. Differences in Vocabulary
Most of the differences in lexis or vocabulary between British and American English are in connection with concepts originating from the 19th century to the mid 20th century, when the new words were coined independently.
Words with same meanings:
From the daily speech of Britain and America, we usually find that they use the different words to express the same thing. A few examples are listed below so as to explain the differences.
Words with different meanings:
Words such as bill (AmE «paper money», BrE and AmE «invoice»). Here is a list of most common vocabulary differences between American and British English.
Clothes
At school
British English American English
Rubber Eraser
Public school Private school
State School Public school
3. Spelling of verbs:
This is related to formation of the past participle for verbs -ed vs –t.
The first category involves verbs that use -ed or –t for the simple past and past participle. Generally, the rule is that if there is a verb form with –ed, AmericanEnglish will use it, and if there is a form with –t, British English will use it. However, these forms do not exist for every verb and there is variation. For examples:
Base form American English British English
to dream dreamed dreamt
to learn learned learnt
Base form vs, -ed:
The second category of difference includes verbs that use either the base form of the verb or the -ed ending for the simple past.
Base form American English British English
To fit Fit Fitted
To wed wed wedded
Irregular vs. –ed:
The third category of difference includes verbs that have either an irregular spelling or the -ed end forth simple past.
Base form American English British English
To light Lit Lighted
To strive Strove Strived
4. Prepositions and adverbs
In the United States, the word through can «mean up to and including» as in Monday through Friday. In the UK (and for many Americans) Monday to Friday ,or Monday or Friday inclusive is used instead;Monday through to Friday is also sometimes used.
British athletes play in a team; American athletes play on a team.(Both may play for a particular team)
In BrE, one rings someone on their telephone number; in AmE, one calls someone at their telephone number.
5. Differences in Spelling
There are sets of regular spelling differences that exist between the BrE and AmE. Some due to American innovations or to overt attempts at spelling regularization. Others simply reflect that fact that English spelling was variable in earlier times and the two varieties choose different varieties as their standard. Below is a list showing the major spelling differences. No attempt has been made to include every word falling under the particular spelling correspondence.
Summary
As what we have discussed above, we know that the differences between these two forms of English are not just those. Nevertheless, it remains the case that although spoken American and British English are generally mutually intelligible, there are enough differences to cause occasional misunderstandings or at times embarrassment. That is why it is important to be aware of certain differences in order to be able to communicate in more effective and efficient way.
An important point to make is that different doesn’t mean wrong. Comments such as «American English is inferior to British English», or «American English is better than British English» have no solid basis other than the speaker’s opinion. Learn a language well is respect to that country, and be responsible to yourself also responsible to the country which you are represent for.
References&Sources:
1. By: Johansson «English Studies» (2012).
2. Algeo,J. «British or American English» (2006).
3. Hargraves,O. «Mighty Fine Words and Smashing Expressions» (2003).
4. McArthur,T. «The Oxford Guide to World English» (2002)
5. Peters,P. «The Cambridge Guide to English Usage» (2004).
6. Trudgill,P.r and Jean H. «A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English» (2002).