The Differences between American English and British English

The Differences between American English

and British English

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Abstract

Through the writing of this paper, we can know that there are some differences

between British English and American English in political and economic duration,

social life, national history, regional cultures and their respective specific cultural

phenomena. And with the development of economy, differences between American

English and British English will gradually reduce; the international Standard English

will appear. And all of these can give us the enlightenment. Firstly, through the

analysis of the two variants of English, we can realize some British and American

culture characteristics, and know these features can help us better understand Britain

and the United States; it is also very helpful for us to be more aware of the

development of English. Secondly, through the analysis of the two variants of English,

we can express English accurately, enrich English knowledge and improve the use of

English. Finally, through the analysis of the two variants of English, it helps us to

stimulate curiosity and creativity, cultivate the spirit of exploration and innovation.

And the most important thing is that it is also beneficial for a second English learner

to understand when there is British English there should not allowed to use American

English. It is good for English learners to study English efficiently and communicate

well. English as a major world-wide used language will constantly keep its position in

the future international communication.

Key words: American English British English Differences Pronunciation

Vocabulary

中文摘要

通过本文的写作，我们可以知道，英式英语和美式英语之间的分歧有一些存在在政治，经济，社会生活中，民族历史，地域文化和他们各自特有的文化现象里。而随着经济的发展，美国英语和英式英语之间的差异将逐渐减少;国际标准英语将会出现，而所有这些都可以给我们的启示。首先，通过分析这两个种类的英语，我们可以实现一些英国和美国的文化特性，并知道这些功能可以帮助我们更好地了解英国和美国，它也是非常有利于我们更加意识到英语发展。其次，通过分析这两个种类的英语，我们可以表达英语准确，丰富英语知识，提高使用英语。最后，通过分析这两个种类的英语，它可以帮助我们激发好奇心和创造力，培养探索和创新的精神。而最重要的是，它也是有益的第二明白当有英式英语应该有不允许使用美式英语的英语学习者。对于英语学习者学习英语的效率和良好的沟通，这是很好的。英语作为主要全球范围内使用的语言会不断保持其位置，在未来的国际通信。

关键词： 美式英语 英式英语 差异 读音 拼写

Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1

1. The American English…………………………………………………………………………1

1.1 The Origin of the American English……………………………………………………….1

1.2The Development of the American English…………………………………………………2

2. The British English…………………………………………………………………………….2

2.1 The Origin of the British English …………………………………………………………...2

2.2 The Development of the British English ……………………………………………………2

3. Present Situation………………………………………………………………………………..3

4. The Differences between American English and British English………………………………3

4.1 Differences in Pronunciation…………………………………………………………………3

4.2 Differences in Spelling……………………………………………………………………….4

4.3 Differences in Vocabulary…………………………………………………………………….4

4.3.1 Different Words with the same meaning…………………………………………………4

4.3.2 The Same Word with the different meanings………………………………………........5

4.4 Differences in Grammar……………………………………………………………………...6

4.5 Differences in Intonation…………………………………………………………..7

5. The Mood------Humor ………………………………………………………………………….7

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………….8

The Differences between American English

and British English

Introduction

Nowadays English is one of the most important languages in the world because of its

worldwide use. Under the influence of geography, history, cultural and social customs in different

areas, until recently, English has been divided into many varieties: Australian English, New

Zealand English, Scottish English, Northern Irish English, Welsh English, South African English,

Canadian English, and so on. British English and American English are the two main varieties of

them. As the Non-Native English speakers, most of the English learners in china think that the

language used by British and American are the same one-English, and there are no differences

between British English and American English. In fact, there are many unquestioned discrepancies

between they two.

Over the past 400 years, the form of the language used in the United States –and that used in

the United Kingdom and the rest of the British Isles have diverged in many ways, leading to the

dialects now commonly referred to as American English and British English. Differences between

the two include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, idioms, formatting of

dates and numbers, and so on. A small number of words have completely different meanings

between the two dialects or are even unknown or not used in one of the dialects. This divergence

between American English and British English once caused George Bernard Shaw to say that the