Writing Prompt ~ British Vs. American Spelling
You must have noticed the differneces between Brtitish English (BrE) and American English (AmE). They are both popular English, and Brits and Americans can understand each other very well, but it may not be so easy for learners of English to handle the differences between the two, such as spelling or grammar differences.
You may not be so sure if you are speaking BrE or AmE - chances are you are speaking the mixture. If you really want to make sure you're speaking one instead of the other, or if you need to take the TOEFL or other AmE tests, you need to know "what's what".
Example (by Expector)
Hi Tara, (BrE)
Do you really think it's vital for learners of English to know the differences between BrE and AmE? Big deal? Anyway, I'm speaking English - I may not be aware which English I'm speaking (BrE, AmE or AuE). I just need to practise more. I learn English wherever or whenever I have time - when I'm travelling or even in a lift or in a garden with all kinds of colourful flowers or in the sport centre. I'm sure you can understand me even though you know I'm using the mixture. Right? Nevertheless, I'd appreciate it if you can teach me more about the differences.
Thanks,
Expector
Hi Expector: (AmE)
Thanks for the message. Yes, it may not be such a problem if you don't know the differences. I just want to challenge some of the advanced learners to try to learn more. It's true you need to pratice more - when traveling or in an elevator or in a yard with colorful flowers or in a sports center. With more practice, you'll know more about the differences. Let me know if you need more help!
Cheers!
Tara
Comments
I just edited this blog again - "elevator" should be AmE, while "lift" is BrE.
That's a big mistake - sorry, I've learned my lesson.
@Onee-chan
Thanks for the nice comment. Yes, sometimes the differences are so obvious, but sometimes not. It's not uncommon that learners are using a mixture of BrE and AmE.
Hi, Expector. Thanks a lot.
I thought it's only about pronunciation and telling time, hehe. I've just realized that I often use both, from your list:
BrE: axe, handicraft, grey, dialogue, neighbour, fulfil, It's important that she should be told.
AmE: leukemia, reflection, jewelry, rent, inquire, skeptical, skillful, on the street, I don't think so, eggplant.
That is what I had learned, and I thought it was standard/ basic words.
And after read your blog, I immediately find more in google. Here I found some about suffix.
BrE to AmE:
-our to -or (behaviour to behavior)
-re to -er (metre to meter)
-xion to -ction (connexion to connection)
-ce to -se (pretence to pretense)
-se to -ze (organise to organize)
but there are some exceptions, and more about BrE and AmE that I found from wikipedia.
So, I can answer Mr. Bob's question about kilometer (AmE) and kilometre (BrE).
Thanks again, Expector. You've given me an inspiration to learn. :)
I can also share something about the pronunciation difference between the two English. The pronunciation difference can be so obvious - you can easily recognize the difference between BBC and CNN.
These words are pronounced differently - it depends on which English you're speaking:
either
city
letter
water
democracy
divorce
car
war
word
thorough
bath
see
ask
class
dictionary
...
Hope you can get it!
The differences between the two English may not be a problem for a native English speaker, but it's not so easy for a learner of English to tell the difference, which may hamper their reading or use of English.
Some more differences:
US (AmE) UK (BrE)
ax axe (spelling)
mold mould
gage gauge
handcraft handicraft
specialty speciality
wagon waggon
kidnaper kidnapper
worshiper worshipper
judgment judgement
leukemia leukaemia
hemorrhage haemorrhage
gynecology gynaecolgy
anesthesia anaesthesia
esthetics aesthetics
edema oedema
ecology oecology
cigaret cigarette
omelet omelette
skeptical sceptical
skillful skilful
reflection reflexion
inquire enquire
mustache moustache
sled sledge
lumber timber
draft draught
sulfur sulphur
jail gaol
tire tyre (vocabulary)
gray grey
jewelry jewellery
pajamas pyjamas
everyplace everywhere
bathrobe dressing gown
eggplant aubergine
earthenware crockery
washcloth facecloth
raincoat mackintosh
eyeglasses spectacles
rhino rhinoceros
rent let/hire
pay off pay
Did you ever do Have you ever done (grammar)
did Had done
back and forth to and fro
take time out take time off
like as if/as though
he/him/himself one/one's/oneself
different than different from
go/help do sth go/help to do sth
do not have have not
@Luci
Great! I'm looking forward to your new blog about the spelling differences between the two English.
@Mr. Bob
Thanks for the comment. If we know the differences, we'll be able to choose one, but only too often, learners of English can't recognize the differences - they're mixing the two English. It may not a problem for a native English speaker, but English learners from a non-English speaking country are usually not so sure if you're using BrE or AmE. In fact, English teachers are trying to mix the two.
I wonder which is earlier, kilometer or kilometre?
@Tara
Thanks for the comment and for the writing prompt. It can be so challenging for learners of English to recognize the defferences because they have been learning the mixture from the very beginning. Sometimes the English teachers can't tell the differences. Thanks over/again.
Awesome! Yes, I absolutely agree when it comes to spelling. The most important point is that you try to choose one spelling for a single piece of writing. Also, it's nice to be able to recognize the differences so that you don't accidentally point out a spelling mistake that is not in fact a mistake. Many of you will go on to teach English. But, when it comes to vocabulary, there are some important differences. I learned so many English words and expressions when I visited England.
I loved reading this!
This is an interesting topic. I think it is best to choose one or the other and set your spell check program to your choice. It is better not to mix British and American spelling.
I always wondered about kilometer and kilometre. I think the meter is a standard measure and a kilometer is 1,000 meters and wonder where the metre ending came from? Does anyone know?
Hi Expector,
I deleted my blog because it was totally wrong and I didn't want people to write something similar after reading it. I didn't realize it is about spelling even though it is in the title of this prompt! I will write another one, I promise my teacher!
The differences between British English and American English are not so great, and British and American speakers can understand each other quite well. The main differences are as follows:
AmE BrE
dialog dialogue (spelling)
offense offence
analyze analyse
enroll enrol
fulfill fulfil
skillful skilful
neighbor neighbour
gas(oline) petrol (vocabulary)
truck lorry
baggage luggage
line queue
vacation holiday
cab taxi
freeway motorway
round trip return
sidewalk pavement
drapes curtains
cookie biscuit
garbage rubbish
traffic circle roundabout
subway tube/underground
sick ill
intersection crossroads
mail post
math maths
motor engine
overpass flyover
railroad railway
resume CV
area code dailling code
candy sweets
crazy mad
flashlight torch
plow plough
on the weekend at the weekend (grammar)
on a team in a team
on the street in the street
stay home stay at home
It's important that she be told. It's important that she should be told.
They just went home. They have just gone home.
I've never gotten... I've never got...
I guess... I think...
I don't think so. I think not.
stop in drop in
named for named after
along with sb. with sb.
take time out take time off
as long as so long as
in the list on the list
in behalf of on behalf of
all of the time all the time
inside of inside
off of off
all summer all the summer
a half hour half an hour
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