Do Brits and Americans understand each other easily?

Answer 1

Most of the time yes. However, I think that modern transportation and communications have had much to do with it.

When I was in high school in the 1960's, I knew a brother and sister (twins) whose working-class parents had immigrated to the U.S. from Yorkshire. They were very friendly people but spoke an English that was almost incomprehensible to me an my friends. It sounded like someone talking with marbles in their mouths to use an old expression.

I think the situation of the Yorkshire twins would be the norm today if things like radio and television were not around to connect Britons and Americans together.

In fact, you don't have to go as far as England. I think even the different regions in the U.S. would be having trouble understanding each other's English too by now were it not for the conveniences of radio and television.

If you listen to say, old Edward R. Murrow documentaries from the 1950's and 60's, you can tell that regional accents were stronger among Americans back then than they are today.

Answer 2

Yes, they understand each other at least as easily as they understand people from other parts of their own country with strong accents; the difference between American English and British English are probably smaller than the differences between the speech of people from the north of England and people from the south.

Some words that have different meanings in the two countries can cause a little confusion, but it is very rare for major misunderstandings to occur.

Answer 3

For the most part I would say yes. The main differences come in the form of slang and idiomatic expressions. But I'd say you could figure out more than half of them just based on the context alone. However, I'm sure that it also depends on which region of the country the person is from. For example one time a guest speaker from Britain came to my school (I go to school in Michigan). After about 2 minutes of him speaking I realized that I was understanding practically nothing that the guy was saying. So l leaned over to my friends sitting next to me and asked them what was going on. They then told me that they couldn't understand a word the guy was saying.
That was the first time I actually realized just how different the American and British accents are. Just so you know I was later able to understand the guy, but I had to pay close attention or I'd miss everything.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

My observation has been that British people understand Americans and Americanisms in language markedly better than Americans understand them. This is largely attributed to so many American movies and TV programs which are aired in Britain on network channels. In the US British programming is largely restrictd to BBC America or public broadcast (i.e. educational) TV and radio and does not have a wide listenership.

Answer 5

I'm and American and whenever i watch movies that have characters with a British accent i have to put on English subtitles because sometimes it can be hard to understand.

Answer 6

Well my American friend and i understand each other easily enough. If there is anything we don't understand we ask each other. No problem.

Answer 7

When I hear an American speak on XBOX live I usually understand them perfectly, eventhough they call football "soccer" and crisps "potato chips" etc
Microsofts "American English" really gets my goat though, as does American psychobable advertising on the interweb.

Answer 8

Yes. Though the Americans have some odd usages for our words.

Answer 9

Yes BUT the way we joke and kid around is an other story,I have had brits,well really english ,insult my country I've called them on it ,and they say they are just trying to be funny "explain how this is funny" reply " ho you yanks can't take a joke" i feel they just want to mask an insult

Answer 10

Yes. Only some of the words and expressions differ, but in the end it is all English.