When it comes to learning English as a second language, you’ll be presented with two main dialects to learn British and American English. This got me thinking: How do British and American English differ? And which is the best?
As a Brit, there was a joke that went around a few years ago: “British English is Traditional English, American English is Simplified English.”
Indeed, the common sentiment in the British English-Speaking world is that American English is rather crass and unsophisticated. In the US, I am told that Americans (mostly) believe that their language is the best.
British vs American English: Origins
The history of both the British English and American English dialects are long. However, we need to know a little more before we truly can analyze (or should I say analyse?) the two dialects!
British English
The English language has its origins in Anglo-Saxon, the language of the various Germanic tribes who settled what we call England in the 8th century. Initially, their language was very similar to modern day German.
Originally, there were several different kingdoms, all ruled by different kings and princes. Eventually, these kingdoms united into one country.
In 1066, the Normans invaded England. here, they fought a bloody battle, killing the English king. From here after, the English were ruled by a Norman king, who only spoke French (and Latin of course).
Until the 14th Century, Anglo-Norman was the language of the peasantry, whilst French was the language of the nobility. However, over time, the English language started to get more and more romance language vocabulary.
Over the years, this has come to form the basis of the modern British English dialect as we know it today. Vocabulary from other languages, including Latin and Greek have also helped to form the basis of British English too!
Through Britain’s empire, English has become one of the most spoken languages on the planet. For the most part, this is some diminutive of the British English dialect.
American English
The first permanent British settlements in the Americas appeared in the 18th century. These settlements often brought along thousands of British English-speaking colonists.
Over time, these colonies became larger, founding the thirteen colonies that would eventually go on to form the United States. These colonies were also granted some autonomy from the British crown, mostly owing to its distance from London.
Due in part to this distance, the average “American” had relatively little contact with the British. The only ones who did were the wealthy elites who could afford to buy British-made goods, and those who did trade with the British.
As a result, new(er) British English words did not enter common “American” vernacular. By the time King George came, the average “American” didn’t speak much like the average British citizen did.
Following the American Revolution, the newly-declared, independent America did not want to be associated with its former British rulers. As such, many things were “banned” as they were “too British”.
It was deemed that the dialect of English the Americans spoke was still too similar to British English. As such, words from other languages, be it French, Spanish or one of the many native languages, took the place of British English words.
British vs American English: Differences
There are several differences between British and American English, affecting almost all aspects of the language.
Accent
If you were to listen to a British person speak, and then an American speak, they’d sound completely different. Even if they spoke the exact same sentence. This is because their accents are completely different!
Although, it will depend on the person you listen to, and from accent to accent, the Brits are much deeper in terms of their pronunciation. However, Americans are much more cheerful in their accents, regardless of whether they’re actually cheerful!
Despite being roughly the size of Oregon, the UK has far more accents than the US has. Whilst the US ones changes slightly, some British accents sound more like a completely different language (*cough* *cough* Geordie *cough* *cough*).
In the UK, there are roughly 17 accents, including the regional ones in Scotland and Ireland. Many regions of the UK, and England in particular have their own words for certain things (ie. in Lincolnshire, “Mardy” means “Moody”)!
In the US on the other hand, there are five accents all separated by region. Whilst they too have their own words for certain things, it’s not to the same extent that the UK regional accents do.
In both countries, there is that one accent that no one likes, in the UK its either Welsh or Geordie, mostly because they’re both difficult to understand. In the US, it’s the southern accent, mostly due to the Civil War.
Spelling & Vocabulary
This is perhaps where British and American English differ the most. For the most part, British spellings haven’t changed (for the most part) since the 19th century (when spellings were properly standardized).
Despite many words having originated in French and other romance languages, British spellings have often been… dare I say, simplified? By that, I mean that the eur sounds in French are either our or or sounds in English.
For the most part, despite the vowel changes, the British English is still very similar to the French. Many French words have been completely copy-pasted into British English as well, their weird French spellings included.
In American English, they tend to drop the u from most spellings. Many of those French loan words have their spellings simplified, this is mostly due to the various immigrations to the US, with foreigners spelling it like that to “Sound more natural”.
For example: the word “colour” in British English is “simplified” into the word “color” in American English. The same is the case with “programme” in British English becomes “program” in American English.
American English also has borrowed a lot of words from other languages, French and Spanish in particular. These words are mostly unchanged, and include words such as “vacation”, “beret” and “maisonette” among others.
Pronunciation
Alongside both dialects using differing words to describe a certain thing, certain words are pronounced slightly differently too! For the most part, its is unrecognizable unless you’re looking for it, whilst others, it is noticeable.
Perhaps the most famous example of the former is the silent “r” in British English. In British English, the “r” is only pronounced if it is followed by a vowel, if not, it is silent. In American English, every “r” sound is pronounced.
Another famous one in the pronunciation of the letter “o”. In British English, the sound is much longer, being made in the center of the mouth (more like “ooo”). Whilst the Americans say it in the back of the mouth (as in “ou”).
Then there is also the case for Received Pronunciation- the way that old fashioned, posh British speakers (such as the Queen or Winston Churchill) pronounce these sounds. This is more nasally, and is more on par with French pronunciation.
Luckily for most people, unless you’re going to work with the British nobility or older members of the Royal Family, you’ll probably never encounter Received Pronunciation anymore.
Idioms
Both British and American English have idioms- phrases that when taken literally, have no meaning. These phrases are generally very colloquial, with almost everyone, regardless of class, knowing them and using them. Even if they don’t know it.
For the most part, British and American English use the same idioms. At least in essence, anyway. For the most part, American English ahs taken British English idioms and has replaced certain words with their American equivalent.
Take one of English’s most famous idioms: “To sweep it under the rug” in reference to cleaning a problem up quickly and quietly.
In British English, they use “To sweep it under the carpet”. Whilst, in the US, “To sweep it under the rug” is standard American English, with “rug” being the American word for what Brits would call a carpet (somewhat).
Naturally, there are several expressions that are unique to both countries that are technically considered idioms. However, many of these are on a statewide level for the US, whilst they’re national for the UK.
Punctuation & Grammar
Both Brits and Americans view punctuation and grammar in a different light. Take abbreviations for instance, in Britain, it isn’t common to put a “full stop” (period) after abbreviations, whilst it is in the US.
Indeed, Brits and Americans actually refer to certain pieces of punctuation by different names. Take (xyz) for example, in America, they’re called parenthesis, whereas in Britain, they’re called brackets.
In fact, this does cause a lot of confusion. In the US, parenthesis is solely what the Brits call brackets. However, in Britain, parenthesis is a general term used to describe several different pieces of punctuation.
Depending on the context, some words tend to get omitted. How the Brits and Americans talk about money is completely different. In Britain, the amount: $5.75 would be five dollars seventy-five, whilst in the US, it’d be five dollars seventy-five cents.
Americans also have a reversed date system compared to the rest of the world (including Britain). In America, the 25th of January 2003 would be written as 1/25/03 whilst in Britain, it would be 25/1/03.
Brits and Americans also tell time completely differently too. In the UK, 24-hour clock is the most common, whilst in the US, 12-hour clock is most common. Outside of the military/police, it’s unlikely you’d use the 24-hour clock in America.
Slang
It may come as a surprise to many of you, but British English does indeed have its own slang. This is generally known as British slang. American English similarly has its own slang too! This is known as American slang.
Perhaps not surprisingly, British and American slang are virtually 100% different from one another. However, American slang has influenced a few British teenagers, albeit not that many.
For the most part, American slang has been influenced by many more languages. Spanish, Italian and French slang, have played huge roles in making American slang.
There is also subsects of American slang used by various different groups of Americans. For instance, many Latinos have Latino slang, which combines English and Spanish. The African Americans similarly have their own, which is much more famous!
For the most part, British slang has begun on its own. In fact, British slang has helped to form the basis of slang in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India (partly) and most other former British colonies!
As a general rule, British slang comes from old English words that no one uses anymore. Those few that don’t often come from place names or from the names of things that no longer exist, but once did.
British vs American English: Usage
When it comes to English, the only real dialects you’ll see are either British or American English. Both are the most popular dialects for separate, yet oddly similar reasons.
British English is the official language of the UK, and many of its crown dependencies and protectorates. As such, most things published in Britain are done so in British English.
American English, on the other hand, is the unofficial language of the US (the US actually has no official language!) As such, most things published in the US are done so in American English.
Globally, unless you go to a school in a country with immensely strong British ties, you’ll learn American English, not British English. This means that most of English’s 1.5 billion speakers, speak American English.
Indeed, most British English speakers, whilst moderately to extremely against American English, do understand it. This is more out of necessity, as everyone else speaks it, than a personal preference.
This is particularly so for the youngest generations. They’ve grown up with American media, and have adapted to know it too! Many British school teachers can tell you that American spellings are becoming more and more common.
Many modern British publications also publish in American English now. This magazine is one of them- we’re British owned and operated, yet we use American English for simplicity!
British vs American English: Which is Better?
In all honesty, I can’t answer that question in good faith. As a Brit, we are taught that British English is superior to American English. Yet, I cannot deny the fact that American English is the language most people use.
If I truly had to answer it, I would ay that American English is better to learn as a second language. This is for no other reason than most people internationally speak American English, and most Brits understand it.
Even so, if you plan on doing a lot of business in the UK, or a country who’s English is similar to British English, it would naturally be better to learn British English to avoid simple errors.
However, for just about anything else, I’d say American English.
Thanks to American business, American English is becoming more and more dominant, even in the UK. Many younger generations don’t spell words like “draught” with the aught ending, instead, they spell it as “draft”.
If I was going to make a bold claim, I’d say that (assuming English remains the Lingua Franca for the next few years!) American English spellings will replace most British English ones by the time I die.
This is because of American English’s superiority through its simplicity. However, I would say that you won’t be hearing many Brits speak like Texans or Bostonians or New Yorkers anytime soon!
British vs American English- Which do you use? Tell me in the comments!