Introduction
Dear student,
Welcome to Variations of English 101, a reader in which you will find the main differences between two variations of English: British English and American English.
Although both are called variations of English and are generally mutually intelligible, differences between the two can still cause confusion or even embarrassment – especially when mixing them up in your own language use. To quote Oscar Wilde, the United Kingdom has “everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, the language” (The Canterville Ghost, 1888).
While doing the exercises in the corresponding reader, you will learn differences in vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation between the two variations, and you will learn how to use the English language in a consistent manner. This reader concludes with a final assignment in which you have to put your new knowledge to the test.
This Wikiwijs page functions as your dictionairy and guidebook, both during the exercises in the corresponding reader, and during the school years thereafter.
In conclusion, these are the learning goals related to the variations of English:
- You are aware of the differences between British English and American English;
- You can differentiate between British English and American English;
- You can consistently use British English (i.e. without mixing up British English and American English).
Good Luck!
The English Department
Varieties of English
British English (BrE)
British English is the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom. Variations exist in formal, written English in the United Kingdom. For example, the adjective wee is almost exclusively used in parts of Scotland and Ireland, and occasionally Yorkshire, whereas little is predominant elsewhere.
Nevertheless, there is a meaningful degree of uniformity in written English within the United Kingdom, and this could be described by the term British English. The forms of spoken English, however, vary considerably more than in most other areas of the world where English is spoken, so a uniform concept of British English is more difficult to apply to the spoken language. According to Tom McArthur in the Oxford Guide to World English, British English shares "all the ambiguities and tensions in the word 'British' and as a result can be used and interpreted in two ways, more broadly or more narrowly, within a range of blurring and ambiguity".
The term Standard British English customarily refers to a variety of the English language that's generally used in professional communication in Britain (or, more narrowly defined, in England or in southeast England) and taught in British schools. Also known as standard English English or British Standard English (BrSE).
American English (AmE)
American English is the most widely spoken language in the United States and is the common language used by the federal government, considered the de facto language of the country because of its widespread use but not established as the official language of the country, despite being given official status by 32 of the 50 state governments. As an example, while both Spanish and English have equivalent status in the local courts of Puerto Rico, under federal law, English is the official language for any matters being referred to the United States district court for the territory.
The use of English in the United States is a result of English and British colonization of the Americas. The first wave of English-speaking settlers arrived in North America during the 17th century, followed by further migrations in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since then, American English has developed into new dialects, in some cases under the influence of West African and Native American languages, German, Dutch, Irish, Spanish, and other languages of successive waves of immigrants to the United States.
Main differences
Differences in words
Here you will find an extensive list of vocabulary which differ between the two variations of English.
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Brits
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Amerikaans
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Nederlands
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aerial
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antennae
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antenne
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Alsatian
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German shepherd
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herdershond
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aluminium
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aluminum
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aluminium
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amber (traffic lights)
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yellow
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oranje (verkeerslicht)
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American football
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football
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Amerikaans voetbal
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anticlockwise
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counterclockwise
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tegen de klok in
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apart from
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aside from
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afgezien van
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articulated lorry
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trailer truck, semi
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vrachtwagencombinatie
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assessor (verzekeringen)
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adjustor
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schade-expert
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aubergine
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eggplant
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aubergine
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| autumn |
fall |
herfst |
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balaclava
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ski mask
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bivakmuts
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(bank)note
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bill
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bankbiljet
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barrister
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lawyer
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advocaat (bij hogere rechtbanken)
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bath
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tub, bathtub
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badkuip
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bathing costume
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bathing suit
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badpak
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beach
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shore / beach
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strand
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bill
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check / tab
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rekening
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| bin |
(trash) can |
prullenbak |
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biscuit
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cookie
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koekje
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blank
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gap
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spatie
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blank form
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blank
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blanco formulier
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bonnet
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hood
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motorkap
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book/ make a reservation
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reserve
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boeken, reserveren
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booking
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reservation
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reservering
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boot
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trunk
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kofferbak
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Boxing Day
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-
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2e kerstdag
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braces
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suspenders
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bretels
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(tea) (break)
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(coffee) break
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pauze
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| café |
diner |
café |
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call box
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public telephone booth / phone booth (inf)
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telefooncel
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| candy floss |
cotton candy |
suikerspin |
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canteen
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cafeteria
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kantine
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car bonnet
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hood
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motorkap
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car boot
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trunk
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kofferbak
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car park
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parking lot
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parkeerterrein
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caravan
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mobile home, trailer
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caravan
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casket
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small box
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doosje
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certainly
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sure / surely
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vast en zeker
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cheque
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check
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cheque, rekening
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chips
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French fries
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patat
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Christian name(s)
given name(s), forename(s)
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first name(s)
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voornaam
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cinema
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movie theater
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bioscoop
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cling film
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plastic wrap
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plastic folie, huishoudfolie
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cloakroom
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checkroom
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garderobe
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coffin
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casket
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doodskist
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convoy
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caravan
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konvooi
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| cooker |
stove |
kookplaat |
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cord
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string
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draadje
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coriander
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cilantro
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koriander
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cot
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crib
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wieg, babybedje
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courgette
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zucchini
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courgette
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crib
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cheat sheet
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spiekbriefje
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crisps
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potato chips
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chips
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crossroads
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intersection
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kruising
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current account
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checking account
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bankrekening
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curriculum vitae
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resumé
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curriculum vitae
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| curtains |
drapes |
gordijnen |
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diary
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appointment calendar
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agenda
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dinner jacket
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tuxedo
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smoking
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diversion
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detour
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omlegging
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drawing pin
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thumb tack
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punaise
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driving license
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driver’s license
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rijbewijs
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dummy
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pacifier
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speen
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duvet, eiderdown
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quilt, comforter
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dekbed
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earth
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ground
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aarde (elec.)
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elastoplast
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band-aid
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pleister
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engaged (tel.)
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busy
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in gesprek
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estate agent
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realtor /real estate agent
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makelaar
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estate car
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station wagon
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station car
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expiry date
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expiration date
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houdbaarheidsdatum
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| film |
movie |
film |
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fire guard
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fender
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open-haardscherm
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fire brigade
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fire department
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brandweer
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first floor
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second floor
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eerste verdieping
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first floor
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second floor
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eerste verdieping
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fish fingers
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fish sticks
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vissticks
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| fizzy drink |
soda |
frisdrank |
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flat
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apartment / condominium
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appartement (eigendom)
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flex
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cord
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snoer
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football
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soccer
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voetbal
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fortnight
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two weeks
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14 dagen
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french dressing
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italian dressing
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vinaigrette
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baguette sandwich
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hero / submarine sandwich
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belegd stokbrood
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fruit machine
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slot machine
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gokautomaat
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fruit stone, pip
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pit
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pit
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full stop
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period
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punt
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gateau
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cake
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taart
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goose pimples
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goosebumps
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kippevel
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green fingers
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green thumb
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groene vingers
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ground floor
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first floor
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begane grond, parterre
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hairpin
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bobby pin
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haarspeld
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hairpin bend
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hairpin corner
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haarspeldbocht
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handbag
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purse
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handtas
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have a go
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to take a turn
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even proberen
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headmaster
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school principal
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rector, schoolhoofd
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hoarding
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billboard
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reclamebord
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holiday
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vacation
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vakantie
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hood
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top (of a convertible, etc.)
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bovenkant (sportwagen, etc.)
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hoover
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vacuum (cleaner)
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stofzuiger
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icing sugar
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confectionery sugar
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suikerglazuur
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indicator
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blinker, turn signal
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richtingaanwijzer
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interval
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intermission, break
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pauze
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jacket
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coat
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colbert
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knickers
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panties
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slip, onderbroek (vrouwen)
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lift
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elevator
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lift
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limited company
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private corporation
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BV
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| lorry |
truck |
vrachtwagen |
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| luggage |
baggage |
bagage |
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maths
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math
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wiskunde
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| mobile phone |
cellphone |
mobiele telefoon |
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| motorway |
freeway |
snelweg |
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mudguard
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fender
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spatbord
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muslin
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cheesecloth
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kaasdoek
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| nappy |
diaper |
luier |
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net curtains
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underdrapes, sheers
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vitrage
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note
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bill
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biljet (geld)
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opposite
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across from
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tegenover
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oven cloth
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pot holder
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ovenwant
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overtake
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pass
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inhalen
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pack of cards
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deck of cards
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stok, pak kaarten
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packed lunch
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sack lunch, brown bag lunch
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lunchpakket
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tights
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pantyhose
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panty
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pavement
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sidewalk
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troittoir, stoep
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petrol(eum)
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gas(oline)
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benzine
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pit
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hole, mine
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put, mijn
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plaits
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braids
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vlechten
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plaster, elastoplast
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band-aid
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pleister
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plus-fours
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knickers
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plus-fours
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| police |
cops |
politie |
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porch
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stoop
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portiek, portaal
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post box
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mail box
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postbus
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| post code |
zip code |
postcode |
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postman
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mail man
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postbode
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pram (perambulator)
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baby carriage, baby buggy
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kinderwagen
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professor
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full professor
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hoogleraar
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property
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real estate
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onroerend goed
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public convenience
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comfort station, restrooms
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openbare toiletten
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public school
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private school
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partikuliere school
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| public toilet |
restrooms |
openbare wc |
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puncture outfit
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patch kit
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bandenplaksetje
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pushchair
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stroller
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buggy
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put through
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connect
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doorverbinden
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quay
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wharf, pier, dock
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kade
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queue, to
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stand in line, line up
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in de rij staan
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railway
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railroad
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spoorlijn
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railway carriage
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railroad car
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wagon
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removal man
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moving man, movers (mv)
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verhuizer
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removals + znw
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moving + znw
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verhuis-+ znw
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return ticket
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round trip ticket
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retourtje
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reverse charges (ww)
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call collect
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-
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roundabout
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traffic circle
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verkeersplein
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rubber
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eraser
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gummetje
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rubbish
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garbage
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troep, rommel, vuil
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rubbish bags
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trash bags, garbage bags
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vuilnisbakzakken
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rucksack
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backpack
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rugzak
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| shopping centre |
shopping mall |
winkelcentrum |
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soft drink
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soda
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frisdrank
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solicitor
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lawyer, attorney
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advocaat
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spanner
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wrench
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sleutel
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squash
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fruit drink
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vruchtensap
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stalls
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orchestra seats
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stalles
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state school
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public school
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openbare school
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sticking / sticky plaster
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adhesive bandage, band-aid
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pleister
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subway
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underground walkway
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ondergrondse vop
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surveyor
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house appraiser
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deskundige
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suspender belt
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garter belt
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jarretelle-gordel
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suspenders
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garters
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jarretelles
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| sweets |
candies |
snoep |
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sweet shop
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candy store
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snoepwinkel
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sweetner
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sweet ‘n’ low
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zoetje
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take / have a bath
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bathe / take a bath
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baden
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tap
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faucet
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kraan
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| taxi |
cab |
taxi |
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tea towel
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dish towel
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theedoek
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tights
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panty hose, nylons
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panty
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| timetable |
schedule |
(tijds)rooster |
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tin
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can / tin can
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blikje
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to collect
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to pick up
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ophalen
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| tomato sauce |
ketchup |
ketchup |
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| torch |
flash light |
zaklamp |
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trailer
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towed goods carrier
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trailer
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| trainers |
sneakers |
gympen, sportschoenen, sneakers |
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trolley
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cart
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winkelwagentje
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| trousers |
pants |
lange broek |
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trunk
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large suitcase
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koffer
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turning
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turn
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afslag
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underground (railway)
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subway
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metro
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undertaker
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mortician
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begrafenisondernemer
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vest
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tee shirt, t-shirt
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hemd
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waistcoat
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vest
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gilet, vest
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| wardrobe |
closet |
kledingkast |
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wet paint
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fresh paint
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natte verf
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wire
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cord
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elektriciteitsdraad
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zapping
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channel surfing
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zappen
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zebra crossing
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pedestrian crossing (ped xing)
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zebra, voetgangersoversteekplaats
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Differences in spelling
Abbreviations
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US
|
UK
|
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Most abbreviations reflecting titles are followed by a full stop.
Doctor à Dr.
Missus à Mrs.
Honorable à Hon.
Avenue à Ave.
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Abbreviations reflecting titles will only be followed by a full stop if the abbreviation does not end with the last letter of the full title.
Doctor à Dr
Missus à Mrs
Honourable à Hon.
Avenue à Ave.
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Differences in spelling
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US
|
UK
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-ize, -yze (bijv. quantize, analyze)
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Voorkeur voor -ise, -yse (bijv. quantise, analyse), maar deze regel is flexibel
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-er (bijv. center, meter, etc.)
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-re (bijv. centre, metre, etc.)
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-or (bijv. honor, color, splendor)
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-our (bijv. honour, colour, splendour)
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-ction (bijv. connection)
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Mag ook: –xion (bijv. connexion)
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Voorkeur voor enkele medeklinkers(bijv. canceled, focuses, appal), met bepaalde uitzonderingen bij woorden waarbij de benadrukte lettergreep op de dubbele medeklinker valt (bijv. willful)
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Dubbele medeklinkers (bijv. focusses, cancelled, appall), met bepaalde uitzonderingen (bijv. wilful)
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Vaak geen -e bij afgeleide woorden (bijv. judge à judgment, live à livable)
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Doorgaans met e bij afgeleide woorden (bijv. judge à judgement, live à liveable)
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-e heeft de voorkeur in plaats van -oe or -ae (bijv. pediatrician, leukemia, etc.)
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-oe and -ae (bijv. paediatrician, leukaemia, etc.)
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Punctuation
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US
|
UK
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Dubbele aanhalingstekens (“x”), maar enkele aanhalingstekens in het geval van een citaat in een citaat (bijv. She said, “This model has been called ‘the best.’”)
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Enkele aanhalingstekens (‘x’), maar dubbele aanhalingstekens in het geval van een citaat in een citaat (bijv. She said, ‘This model has been called “the best”’.)
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Leestekens binnen de aanhalingstekens (bijv. “The best there is,” she said. or She said, “the best there is.”) tenzij de leestekens de zin van de schrijver benadrukt in plaats van het citaat (bijv. Did she say, “the best there is”? or “She told them we are “the best there is”!)
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Leestekens buiten de aanhalingstekens plaatsen, tenzij die horen bij het originele citaat quotation (bijv. ‘The best there is’, she said. but She said, ‘the best there is.’; also, Did she say, ‘the best there is’? but She asked, ‘the best there is?’)
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Verbs
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US
|
UK
|
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analyze
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analyse
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apologize
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apologise
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capitalize
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capitalise
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categorize
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categorise
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characterize
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characterise
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colonize
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colonise
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endeavor
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endeavour
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enroll
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enrol
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fulfill
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fulfil
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globalize
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globalise
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honor
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honour
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hypothesize
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hypothesise
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inquire
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enquire
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install
|
instal
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legalize
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legalise
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maneuver
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manoeuvre
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maximize
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maximise
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minimize
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minimise
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mold
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mould
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neutralize
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neutralise
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optimize
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optimise
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paralyze
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paralyse
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plow
|
plough
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practice
|
practise
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privatize
|
privatise
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randomize
|
randomise
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realize
|
realise
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recognize
|
recognise
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| canceled |
cancelled |
| channeled |
chanelled |
| labeled |
labelled |
| modeled |
modelled |
| traveled |
travelled |
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Nouns
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|
US
|
UK
|
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acknowledgment
|
acknowledgement
|
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aluminum
|
aluminium
|
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artifact
|
artefact
|
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behavior
|
behaviour
|
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caliber
|
calibre
|
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center
|
centre
|
|
color
|
colour
|
|
cooperation
|
co-operation
|
|
councilor
|
councillor
|
|
counselor
|
counsellor
|
|
defense
|
defence
|
|
estrogen
|
oestrogen
|
|
fetus
|
foetus
|
|
fiber
|
fibre
|
|
flavor
|
flavour
|
|
humor
|
humour
|
|
judgment
|
judgement
|
|
labor
|
labour
|
|
leukemia
|
leukaemia
|
|
license
|
licence
|
|
liter
|
litre
|
|
meter
|
metre
|
|
neighbor
|
neighbour
|
|
organization
|
either organisation or organization
|
|
paleontology
|
palaeontology
|
|
program
|
programme (but program if computer-related)
|
|
sulfur
|
sulphur
|
|
theater
|
theatre
|
|
tire
|
tyre
|
|
vapor
|
vapour
|
|
Adjectives
|
|
US
|
UK
|
|
aging
|
ageing
|
|
favorite
|
favourite
|
|
gray
|
grey
|
|
livable
|
liveable
|
|
movable
|
moveable
|
|
orthopedic
|
orthopaedic
|
|
salable
|
saleable
|
|
skeptical
|
sceptical
|
|
somber
|
sombre
|
Irregular verbs
Dream: dreamt vs. dreamed
Learn: learnt vs. learned
Spoil: spoilt vs. spoiled
Smell: smelt vs. smelled
Burn: Burnt vs. burned
Spill: spilt vs. spilled
Lean: leant vs. leaned
Spell: spelt vs. spelled
Voorbeelden van consistent gebruik BrE & AmE
The defense minister first travelled to China in 2013. (US English/UK English)
The defense minister first traveled to China in 2013. (all US English)
The defence minister first travelled to China in 2013. (all UK English)
The organization is headquartered in Osaka, but it usually organizes workshops in Tokyo. (all US English)
The colours of the samples varied greatly, but smallest sample was the most colourful. (all UK English)
Differences in pronunciation
The letter “A”
|
Word
|
British Pronunciation
|
American Pronunciation
|
|
Bath
|
Bath
|
Baeth
|
|
Laugh
|
Laf
|
Laef
|
|
Class
|
Klas
|
Klaes
|
|
Chance
|
Tjans
|
Tjaens
|
|
Ask
|
Ask
|
Aesk
|
|
After
|
Aftuh
|
Aefter
|
|
Can’t
|
Kant
|
Kent
|
|
Example
|
Eksampel
|
Aeksempel
|
The letter “R”
|
Word
|
British Pronunciation
|
American Pronunciation
|
|
Hard
|
Hahd
|
Hard
|
|
Were
|
Wuuh
|
Wur
|
|
Ear
|
I-uhhh
|
Ie-ur
|
|
Pure
|
Pjuh
|
Pjur
|
|
More
|
Moh
|
Mor
|
|
Chair
|
Tjeh
|
Tjer
|
|
Bar
|
Bah
|
Bar
|
Letter “T” in the middle of a word
|
Word
|
British Pronunciation
|
American Pronunciation
|
|
Better
|
Be-ttuh
|
Be-dur
|
|
Water
|
Wo-ttuh
|
Wa-dur
|
|
Hated
|
He-tid
|
He-did
|
|
Writing
|
Rai-ting
|
Ri-ding
|
|
Bottom
|
Bo-ttum
|
Ba-dum
|
|
Native
|
Ne-tiv
|
Ne-div
|
|
Artificial
|
Ar-tu-fi-siol
|
Ar-du-fi-siol
|
|
Notice
|
No-tis
|
No-dis
|
Difference in “stress”
|
Word
|
British Pronunciation
|
American Pronunciation
|
|
Advertisement
|
uhd-VER-tis-muhnt
|
AD-ver-ties-muhnt
|
|
Bald
|
bo-ld
|
bold
|
|
Clique
|
cleek
|
clik
|
|
Either
|
eye-thuh
|
ee-thuhr
|
|
Esplanade
|
ES-pluh-nayd
|
ES-pluh-nard
|
|
Leisure
|
LEZH-uh
|
LEE-zhuhr
|
|
Mobile
|
MOH-bye-ul
|
MOH-buhl
|
|
Missile
|
MIS-eye-ul
|
MIS-uhl
|
|
Neither
|
NIGH-thuh
|
NEE-thuh
|
|
Niche
|
neesh
|
nitch
|
|
Parliament
|
PAR-li-muhnt
|
PAR-luh-muhnt
|
|
Privacy
|
PRIV-uh-see
|
PRAI-vuh-see
|
|
Semi
|
SEM-ee
|
SEM-eye
|
|
Schedule
|
SHED-jool
|
SKED-jool
|
|
Scone
|
skon
|
skohn
|
|
Stance
|
starns
|
stans
|
|
Tomato
|
tuh-MAR-toe
|
tuh-MAY-toe
|
|
Vase
|
varz
|
vays
|
|
Vitamin
|
VIT-uh-min
|
VAI-tuh-min
|
|
Wrath
|
roth
|
rath
|
Also:
|
Word
|
British Pronunciation
|
American Pronunciation
|
|
Amen
|
Ah-MEN
|
Ay-MEN
|
|
Asia
|
AY-shure
|
AY-zhure
|
|
Basil
|
Bah-suhl
|
Bay-suhl
|
|
Buddha
|
BUD-uh
|
BOOD-uh
|
|
Crescent
|
CREZ-uhnt
|
CRES-uhnt
|
|
Dynasty
|
DIN-uh-stee
|
DIE-nuh-stee
|
|
Evolution
|
ee-vuh-LOO-shun
|
eh-vuh-LOO-shun
|
|
Expatriate
|
ek-SPAT-ri-uht
|
ek-SPAY-tri-uht
|
|
Falcon
|
FORL-cuhn
|
FAL-cuhn
|
|
Herb
|
HERB
|
ERB
|
|
Medicine
|
MED-suhn
|
MED-ee-suhn
|
|
Nissan
|
nis-an
|
nis-arn
|
|
Pasta
|
PAS-tuh
|
PAR-stuh
|
|
Patent
|
PAY-tuhnt
|
PAT-uhnt
|
|
Patronise
|
PAT-ruhn-eyez
|
PAY-truhn-eyez
|
|
Produce (noun)
|
prod-joos
|
proh-joos
|
|
Progress (noun)
|
PROH-gress
|
PROG-ress
|
|
Project (noun)
|
PROH-ject
|
PROJ-ect
|
|
Route
|
ROOT
|
ROUT
|
|
Vendor
|
VEN-duh
|
VEN-door
|
|
Version
|
VER-shun
|
VER-zhun
|
|
Yogurt
|
yog-uht
|
yoh-gurt
|
|
Zebra
|
ZEB-ruh
|
ZEE-bruh
|
Pronunciation Exercises
This page will link you to a few videos that you need for the exercises in your reader.
The other pages are specifically for either British English or American English. You will find examples on those pages for either accent and their pronunciations. That will help you with your final assignment and with hearing the specific differences.
The first video you find here is an introduction. You will watch this together with your class. There is no exercise with this video.
The link opens a new tab.
Check back in your reader. You first need to watch the next two videos and write down what stands out to you about the two variations of English and their pronunciation.
The following video talks quite specifically about the use of the T and the R in both British and American English. There are a few exercises with this video. You will find them in your reader.
Make exercise 1 through 5 with this video.
Differences in British and American
The next video talks about the differences in vowel sounds between British English and American English.
There are a few exercises with this video. You will find those in your reader.
Make exercise 6, 7 and 8 about the following video.
British and American English Vowel Sounds
Now that you are finished with the exercises about the videos, go to exercise 9. You will look back at what you first thought and reflect.
Share what you learned in class.
Audio Sources
British English
There are many, many videos to find online to help you with sounding more British.
Here are two examples of videos we've found for you that can already help you a lot.
American English
As with British, there are many examples to find of American accents and pronunciation.
Here are two short lessons that might help you with your American pronunciation.
Introduction Video about Pronunciation
