How is American English compare to British English?

Answer 1

They are two separate languages. American English only seems to have three tenses, virtually no adverbs and a rich vocabulary of its own which speakers of British English do not understand. Moreover, there are "faux amis", i.e. words which seem to be common to both languages, but which get you into trouble -- e.g. "homely", which has a nice meaning in English but in American means plain, if not ugly; to knock up, which means to knock on someone's door to make sure they get up in the morning in English, but in American means to make someone pregnant...and many more besides. You might enjoy this link. http://www.effingpot.com/

Answer 2

American English and British English are just dialects of Standard International English, and as such have the same differences any dialect would have. Mostly, the slang is different, the figures-of-speech are different, and the spelling of certain suffixes and prefixes are different (-ize for -ise, -or for -our, etc...). Also, the way we address each others--both formally and informally--are different (there's no royal system in the U.S. and I can't recall the last time I ever called anyone a 'bloke').

Now, that's being simplistic. There's differences still in Southern dialects, New England dialects, the New York accent, etc. etc, (and don't get me started on Street Speak) and the dialect as a whole is a living, changing thing as new words are created, old words are abandoned, and new slang come into play. The best way to learn American English is to find an American and just talked to him/her. It's really not all that different from British English, once you get over the petty differences.

Answer 3

I get very bizarre and suspicious looks at immigration when I state that I am only intending to stay in the US for a "fortnight". Apparently they have never heard the term before, yet it was already used in Shakespeare's time, and derives from the Old English "feowertiene niht", meaning "fourteen nights". So much for the "traditional English" theory...

On the other hand I get quite baffled by the different American terms for trousers, especially those worn by men.( I only got acquainted with "Capris" recently...). The American language has moped up expressions not only from indigenous Americans, but quite a few from modern immigrants from different countries.
On the whole I am less stressed by American terminology than by some accents for which I often have to do a double take, whilst in Quebec I am completely thrown by some of the "French" expressions which I have never heard in France.
Strangely one would expect modern media to facilitate a common approach to a language, but in fact the differences have intensified in the last hundred years. Poor Marconi would be really disappointed ...

Answer 4

British English - usually called the Queens English is the original form - America, in its current form, has only existed for a few centuries and after independence from Great Britain its mixing pot of cultures and languages - German, French, Spanish and Portuguese being among them has resulted in an alternative English based language called American English.
That's my guess anyway!

Answer 5

Hi
There are a few differences. But basically its the same...
Gramatically . you dont realy see much difference.
Pronounciation is anotherarea... Semi In the usa The emphasis is on the i making the word sound like Sem EYE whereas British would say semi ( the I being pronounced as you would with the word it ( without saying the t)
Liesure .. Usa pronounce Leesure
British pronounce like leyshur
( hard to type the correct phonetics)
The main things are some spellings
Like Color .... USa
colour Bristish
Math USa
Maths British.

Answer 6

Well the Americans like theirs and the Brits like theirs as well. English was the same in both countries 300 or so years ago. Languages change and develop over the years. European English has not developed in quite the same way as in America and some words are spelt differently and have different meanings but basically we can both understand one and other.As to who is right and who is wrong ,neither . Both nationalities Will have different identities and certain differences in speech ,but honestly, does it matter. Not in the least.

Answer 7

British English is like an Italian Homemade pasta Bolognase and American English is like a cheap frozen Bolognase ready meal from the supermarket. Quality and Subtlety.

Answer 8

English with American Accents and poor spelling.
Good news is that most of the world understands English - bad news is that in certain parts of Britain and The US you still cannot understand what the people are saying.
We should all have elocution lessons and speak like The Queen.
( Joking )

Answer 9

The real big difference is the accsent, and minor folk sayings, but there are some words that are different, but only a few. Like: American-Airplane, British-Aeroplane

Answer 10

How about we say:

How does the American "language" compare to the English language?