What's the Difference between American and British English and Can I Learn Them Together?

Ever wondered if it's feasible to learn American and British English at the same time? Or, if you're familiar with one, how challenging would it be to pick up the other dialect? Well, it's indeed a curious question and the answer might be surprising to many. Learning both accents concurrently is possible, though it may require more focus and dedication. Let's embark on this fascinating exploration of how and why to learn American and British English simultaneously, in addition to the main distinctions between them.

Can You Learn Both American and British English Simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible to learn both American and British English simultaneously.

English, whether it is American or British, has the same foundational grammar and most of the vocabulary is the same. The differences mainly exist in the pronunciation of certain words, some specific vocabulary, and certain spelling conventions. For instance, American English uses "color" while British English uses "colour". Hence, a learner can study and understand these differences concurrently.

However, one potential issue might be mixing up the two versions, especially when it comes to writing or speaking in a formal context where it's important to use one consistently. This means that while learning both simultaneously, it could be beneficial to focus on mastering one of them first before diving deep into the other. This is especially true if the learner is at beginner level.

Main Differences Between American and British English

While both dialects share a common foundation, there are considerable differences that set them apart, especially in vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation.

Vocabulary

British and American English have variations in terms of vocabulary, which are sometimes significant, while at other times, only subtly different.

1. Common Items: Several everyday items are referred to by different names in American and British English. For instance, the British call the device that illuminates a room a 'torch', while Americans call it a 'flashlight'. A 'biscuit' in the UK becomes a 'cookie' in the US. When you talk about 'chips' in the UK, you are referring to 'fries' in the US, while 'crisps' is the British counterpart for American 'chips'.

2. Transportation: The terminology used for transportation also varies between these two versions of English. The British people use terms like 'lorry' for the American 'truck', or a 'car park' instead of an 'parking lot'. Also, British 'underground' or 'tube' is 'subway' in America.

3. Clothing: Clothing items are another area of vocabulary divergence. The American 'sweater' is a 'jumper' in British English, while American 'panties' and 'pants' become 'knickers' and 'trousers' respectively in the UK.

4. Buildings/Construction: A 'flat' in the UK is an 'apartment' in the US, the 'first floor' in the UK is the 'second floor' in America, and while Americans have 'faucets', the British have 'taps'.

5. Kitchen/Cooking: Many kitchen terms differ too. 'Cilantro' in the US, is 'coriander' in the UK. 'Eggplant' is known as 'aubergine' in the UK, and the American 'zucchini' is the British 'courgette'.

6. School/Education: In school-related terms, while Americans finish 'high school', British students conclude 'secondary school'. 'Freshman', 'sophomore', 'junior' and 'senior' in American English are just 'first-year', 'second-year', etc. in British English.

Spelling

American English and British English have many differences in terms of spelling, evolving differently across the centuries due to different influences and language development patterns.

1. Words ending in "-or" or "-our": In British English, typically words end in "-our" such as "colour", "behaviour", "flavour", etc. While in American English, the spelling has been simplified to "-or" as in "color", "behavior", "flavor", etc.

2. Words ending in "-re" or "-er": British English prefers "-re" at the end of certain words such as "centre", "theatre". In American English, these words end with "-er" – "center", "theater".

3. Words ending in "-ise" or "-ize": British English prefers "-ise" such as "realise", "recognise", but ironically, the Oxford English Dictionary prefers "-ize". American English opts for "-ize" – "realize", "recognize".

4. Words ending in "-yse" or "-yze": British English uses "-yse" as in "analyse", "paralyse". In American English, these words are spelled with "-yze" – "analyze", "paralyze".

5. Words with double ‘l’ or singular ‘l’: In British English, when adding a vowel suffix to a word ending in a single 'l', the 'l' is usually doubled, for example "travelling", "fuelled", "quarrelling". Americans typically spell these words with a single ‘l’, like "traveling", "fueled", "quarreling".

6. Use of "ae" or "oe": Certain words in British English retain a Latin or Greek influenced "ae" or "oe", such as "anaemia", "oestrogen", "manoeuvre", "haemoglobin". American English generally simplifies these to "e" – "anemia", "estrogen", "maneuver", "hemoglobin".

7. Different spellings: There are also some words that are spelled differently such as "grey" (British English) vs. "gray" (American English), "tyre" vs. "tire", "mould" vs. "mold", "plough" vs. "plow", "sceptical" vs. "skeptical".

Pronunciation

The differences in pronunciation between American and British English can manifest in several ways:

1. Vowel Sounds: There can be major differences in vowel pronunciation. For instance, in British English, words like "dance", "bath", "can’t" are pronounced with a short 'a', as compared to American English.

2. Rhotic vs. Non-Rhotic: American English is generally rhotic, meaning 'r' sounds are pronounced at the end of words like “hard” or “favor”. Conversely, most British accents are non-rhotic, meaning the 'r' is often silent unless it is followed by a vowel.

3. Pronunciation of Certain Words: Some words are pronounced distinctly differently. For example, in British English, "schedule" is usually pronounced with 'shed-yool' while in American English it usually sounds like 'sked-yool'.

4. Diphthongs: These are sounds made by combining two vowels. An example can be seen in the difference between American and British pronunciation of the word "ride". The 'i' in the American pronunciation sounds more like 'ah-ee', whereas the British pronunciation sounds more like 'ee'.

5. T sounds: The American T can be pronounced as a quick 'd' or even a tapped 'r' in words like 'water' or 'better', whereas in British English it's a clear, more pronounced 't' sound.

6. Stress on Syllables: British and American English sometimes stress different syllables in the same word. For example, in American English the word 'advertisement' stresses 'ver' (ad-VER-tis-ment) whereas in British English emphasis is on 'tise’ (AD-ver-tise-ment).

7. Pronunciation of Certain Vowels: In American English, the last 'a' in words like 'banana' is pronounced 'æ', as in 'man', while in British English it's more like 'uh'.

8. Use of the Schwa: The schwa (/ə/) is the most common vowel sound in English and is used more frequently in American English. The ending vowel sounds of words like 'media’ and 'papaya' are usually replaced with the schwa in American English but are fully pronounced in British English.

9. Pronunciation of past verbs: For regular verbs that end in –ed, American English often sounds the –ed as a separate syllable. In British English, it is usually silent.

How Should I Learn British English If I Know American English, and vice versa?

If you want to learn the variant of the language that you are not familiar with, your study would focus more on differences in vocabulary and pronunciation, rather than grammar and sentence structure. Here's a step-by-step guide on how you can approach learning the English accent from the other side of the pond:

1. Understand the differences: The first step is to learn about the differences in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and slang. An online comparison of the two versions of English can be handy.

2. Vocabulary and Spelling: Familiarize yourself with different words and spelling between American and British English, as explained in the above section. Prepare a notebook and write down the difference in words or spelling that you come across. For example, on the left side, you can write down American word or spelling and on the right side, you can write down British word or spelling.

3. Pronunciation: Watch YouTube tutorials, listen to podcasts, or use language learning apps that emphasize the accent you wish to learn, to understand the differences in pronunciation. Practicing regularly will enhance your speaking skills.

4. Watch movies/TV shows: This is a fun way to understand the accent, cultural context, and usage of words. British shows like 'Sherlock' or American sitcoms like 'Friends' would be helpful.

5. Use Language Exchange Websites: Websites or apps that allow you to communicate with native speakers can be a practical way to practically implement your learning.

6. Read: Reading helps familiarize with style, vocabulary, and spelling. If you are targeting British English, read books by British authors, British newspapers or magazines, and likewise for American English.

7. Practice Speaking: The more you practice, the quicker you will learn. Try speaking in the accent you want to learn, record, and hear yourself for self-correction.

8. Use Tech Tools: Utilize apps, software, or online courses that provide language training specifically tailored to either American and British English.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning American English and British English concurrently is possible but it is recommended only when the learner has reached at least intermediate level in English. Beginner-level students should concentrate on learning one variant to avoid confusion. Patience and a deep understanding of the distinctions between these dialects, their vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and cultural context are critical for successfully mastering both accents.