What do people from the U.K. think of American English?

Question

Although we all speak the same language I know that there are various differences between European English and American English. What do people from Europe usually think of American English (accent, slang, speling, etc.)? Also, do you ever have any difficulty understanding us due to accent or grammar differences? Curious to hear what you say.

Wow. I didn't know that American English was so um.... not popular overseas. But still, it's interesting hearing what you all have to say.

Answer 1

Firstly I have to say I've just read through all the answers and some are just hilariously true!

On the issue of accent I've never had a problem understanding Americans and I love to hear people talk in different accents.

Some people have already said a few of my pet peeves about American English, namely the absent U in pretty much any word where it's silent and using a Z instead of an S (why is that??).

I hate that I have to select American as a language when registering a computer program because English isn't listed. Why isn't it an option? It forces the English to use American spellings which is especially bad for school children who use a computer for their homework because they don't learn how to spell in their native language.

As an above poster mentioned, how on earth did 'gotten' get into your vocabulary? Also using 'bunch of' when you should be using 'lots' or 'many' can be irritating - sorry.

Another thing, it's FOOTBALL not soccer!

Answer 2

Mate, I have no problem with any sort of Yank accent, on the whole our differences are outweighed by our similarities. We both enjoy taking the p1ss out out each other, we share for the most part a common heritage (remember before you became yanks, you were mostly Brits & we were all pretty fed up with being told what to do by the Government, but you made the move first). Your spelling is a logical way of conveying words that were being used by people for whom English may not have been there first language, and some people believe that your accent is probably closer to the English / Scots / Welsh / Irish dialects spoken at the time over here , than there modern day counterparts spoken today.
I have found you colonials to be among the friendliest and most welcoming people that I have ever met. That cannot be a bad thing can it.

P.S. Please do something about Bush though, he's about as embarassing as our Prince Phillip.

Answer 3

I personally find the spelling a bit strange! And you seem totally unable to roll your r's. "Mirror" is a prime example of this. I admit that your spelling does make more sense though - we've been influenced more by the French, with the "re" and "our" at the end of words like metre and colour.

As a nation, I don't think that we're very good with distinguishing accents from the various states. Ok, Texas is easy, but the rest... I'd have no idea if you were from Alaska or Hawaii! But I bet you wouldn't be able to tell a South Walian from a North Walian accent.

As for slang, I will not be able to get over the fanny thing. To us, it is ridiculously rude. And then there's ***, which doesn't mean a thing over here! Well, apart from mule of course.

I've never had any true difficulty in understanding you, because I watch a lot of films. There's only been the couple of unfortunate incindents with sneakers/trainers and chips/crisps/fries when we were there a couple of years ago. Although I did watch a program recently about some nanny (Erica Sadowski? Or something?) who kidnapped the children she was meant to be caring for. I have no idea where the parents were from, or how educated they were, but they ignored just about every grammar rule going! It was amazing! I did still understand them though.

Basically, I love your accent. But I will forever disagree with the spelling of "aluminium/aluminum" or whatever you call it. ALUMINIUM FOREVER!

Answer 4

Wasn't it Churchill who said that America and Britain were two nations separated by the same language? Some American spellings and I believe words reflect English usage at the time the Americas were being colonised. Given the diversity of immigration to the US over the past few hundred years it is hardly surprising that different accents and word usage have developed. To my British ear, some American accents are unpleasant and there are some misunderstandings with some words; however no more than I find some UK regional accents unpleasant or even impenetrable.

Answer 5

I'm from Ireland and we have a variant called Hiberno-English. It is similar to British-English in terms of spelling, some grammar and a lot of pronunciation is different, as well as a larger lexicon.

American English is annoying, it has even infiltrated into the EU with ize, izations which annoy the crap out of me. Because of America's cultural dominance your standard English is being imposed on other countries English, like Ireland's, the UK's, Canada's, Australia's, New Zealands and South Africa's.

These are just small adjustments but language is a massive aspect of a culture and people saying that it may be culturally snobbery when they don't like using American English should realise that it is cultural preservation.

Answer 6

I'm from Ireland, but I'm half English, so i have a very neutral accent. I'm working in Canada at the moment calling the states, it's an annoying job because I understand everything from every state i call no matter how ridiculous the accent, but most of them make me repeat myself! I speak very clearly?! I have no problem with American English, it is irritating some times, but do Americans have trouble understanding Irish/ English accent??? I'm going to ask that....

Answer 7

I've travelled the world all my life, staying in different countries for long (months and years) periods of time and, although you'll always get the moaners and insecure inverted snobs, who'll knock anyone and anything that doesn't 'fit' their little world, on the whole, we "Brits", as you "Yanks" like to call us, are pretty fond of you Americans. As a specialised Service person (now retired), I did find your forces a little unpredictable and scary at times, which made me want to work alone rather than seek their affable (boy-scout like) assistance, but, like a big brother (and I mean 'family', not 'eye-in-the-sky), their hospitality and friendliness was second to none. There is no language barrier. Thank god they do speak English, even if it is a "Little" different. Like others have said, our own Scottish, Welsh and Irish, not to mention, Brummies, Geordie's, Cockneys and (my own kith and kin) Scousers, are harder to understand, most of the time. There's absolutely 'nowt' wrong with your English that could come anywhere close to damaging the eternal friendship between our two countries. All the best, Brother!!

Answer 8

The one slang I find annoying is "y'all". It sounds so ... so low class (for want of a better word).

The other thing is how American English spell words. I feel they're making it easier on purpose e.g. jewellery in the UK and jewelry in the USA.

Other than that, I have no problems understanding American English (and the various accents). In fact I find it hard to understand all the accents in the UK, especially the Scottish accent.

Answer 9

I am a Brit who has lived in the States for 15 years now and I hate having to spell the american way. I held out at first, but it made me look as if I couldn't spell, especially on job apps and other things where I certainly wanted not to be thought ignorant.
As for the spoken work, I had to slow down my speach and use the American terms or it was difficult to make myself understood.
I did both of these things as I am living in America and I feel I am the one who should adjust., but it still does not feel right.
As for accents, I find them fun. I have alot of interest in my accent living here and working it a tourist industry. But now when I go back to the UK to visit, I get told I talk like a "yank"
So now I feel as if i do not belong in either place fully.

Answer 10

To be honest as I've got older I have to increase the volume on my TV and in some shows (particularly West Wing) have the subtitles on in order to understand what is being said. I really do have difficulties with deep southern accent.
But I am sure many Americans would struggle to understand some people from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

What does really, really annoy me is on instructions they show the languages available using national flags, and how often it is the Stars & Stripes not the Union Jack (or more properly St. Georges flag). I hope by being honest I have not upset the friendship between our two countries, I would hate to upset our new Prime Minister on his first day :-)