Often at times, we hear that this word, phrase, clause or sentence is written or pronounced in the British English or American English.
But why this? What could be the difference between both languages?
In this article, we are going to answer all that. So keep reading and enjoy.
What is the British English?
British English refers to the English language as it is used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects spoken in the UK. British English is influenced by the history and culture of the UK and has some vocabulary, grammar, and spelling differences from other varieties of English, such as American English. Some examples of these differences include the use of “colour” instead of “color,” “theatre” instead of “theater,” and “centre” instead of “center.” British English also has a number of regional dialects and accents that vary from one part of the UK to another.
What is the American English?
American English is the form of the English language used in the United States. It includes all English dialects spoken in the United States and is influenced by the history and culture of the country. American English has some vocabulary,
grammar, and spelling differences from other varieties of English, such as British English. Some examples of these differences include the use of “color” instead of “colour,” “theater” instead of “theatre,” and “center” instead of “centre. “American English also has a number of regional dialects and accents that vary from one part of the country to another.
History Of The British English
The English language has a long and complex history, and the form of English spoken in the United Kingdom has evolved over time.
The English language has its roots in the Germanic languages of the Anglo-Saxons, who arrived in Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries. The language they spoke, Old English, was heavily influenced by the languages of the tribes they encountered, such as the Celtic languages and Latin.
Over the centuries, the English language continued to evolve and change. It was heavily influenced by the Norman Conquest in 1066, when the Normans, who spoke a variant of French, invaded and conquered England. As a result, many French words and phrases were adopted into English, and the language became known as Middle English.
During the Renaissance, the English language was further influenced by the classical languages of Latin and Greek, and many new words were borrowed from these languages. The modern form of English, known as Modern English, began to emerge in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the British Empire spread the use of the English language around the world, and it became the dominant language of international communication. Today, English is spoken as a first or second language by millions of people around the globe.
History Of The American English
The English language has a long and complex history, and the form of English spoken in the United States has evolved over time.
The English language has its roots in the Germanic languages of the Anglo-Saxons, who arrived in Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries. The language they spoke, Old English, was heavily influenced by the languages of the tribes they encountered, such as the Celtic languages and Latin.
The English language was brought to the North American continent by British colonists in the 17th and 18th centuries. As the colonies developed and grew, the English language began to evolve in response to the unique experiences and Influences of the people living in the New World.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the United States emerged as a major world power, and the American form of the English language became more influential on the global stage. Today, American English is spoken as a first or second language by millions of people around the world. Despite its widespread use, American English continues to evolve and change, influenced by various cultural, social, and technological factors.
Notable Similarities Between Both Languages
British English and American English are both forms of the English language and have a number of similarities. Some of the notable similarities between the two languages include:
1. Vocabulary: Both British English and American English share a large common vocabulary, with only a small number of words that are specific to one form of the language or the other.
2. Grammar: The grammar of British English and American English is largely the same, with only a few minor differences in the way certain words and structures are used.
3. Pronunciation: While there are some differences in the way certain words are pronounced in British English and American English, the two forms of the language are generally quite similar in terms of pronunciation.
4. Spelling: Both British English and American English use the same basic spelling rules, although there are some differences distinct from one another.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, British English and American English are both forms of the English language that have evolved over time and have been influenced by the histories and cultures of the United Kingdom and the United States. While the two forms of the language are similar and are largely mutually intelligible, they do have some differences in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and spelling. Despite these differences, both forms of English are widely spoken and used around the world.
Thanks for reading.
Please do share this article with your friends and family.
Leave a Reply