The purpose of this essay is to give a detailed examination of some of the most significant features at which American English and British English diverge.
Despite having the vast majority of linguistic forms in common, American English (AmE) and British English (BrE), which are regarded as the two major varieties of the English language, differ in numerable points. For better understanding and easier comparison, the General American accent (GenAm), which "is used by two thirds of the American population", is used as a representative for the American English variety (Allerton 2002:16). The same function is applied to the Received Pronunciation (RP), because, although it is only spoken by circa three per cent of the population in England, it is the "most widely understood" and "most thoroughly described" accent in Britain (Hughes/Trudgill, 1996:4).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Pronunciation
- 3. Spelling
- 4. Grammar
- 5. Lexis
- 6. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze and compare the significant differences between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE), particularly focusing on their pronunciation, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. The essay utilizes General American (GenAm) and Received Pronunciation (RP) as representative accents for AmE and BrE, respectively.
- Pronunciation differences between AmE and BrE, including vowel phonemes, rhoticity, and linking /r/
- Spelling variations between AmE and BrE, emphasizing simplification in AmE and the use of <-our> vs. <-or> endings
- Grammatical distinctions between AmE and BrE, particularly in the past tense and past participle forms of verbs, and the use of "have got" and "have gotten"
- Lexical differences between AmE and BrE, including the historical development of vocabulary, and differences in terms related to automobiles, traffic, and travel
- The potential future of AmE and BrE, considering factors such as the influence of the internet and media.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The essay introduces the two major varieties of English, AmE and BrE, highlighting their numerous differences. It defines GenAm and RP as representative accents for AmE and BrE, respectively, and outlines the essay's objective to examine significant features where AmE and BrE diverge.
- Pronunciation: This section explores the differences in pronunciation between AmE and BrE, focusing on the different number of vowel phonemes, the presence of rhoticity in AmE, and the use of linking /r/ in RP. Specific examples illustrate these differences, such as the pronunciation of "car" and "law officer."
- Spelling: This section analyzes the spelling variations between AmE and BrE, highlighting the simplification of spelling in AmE compared to BrE. It discusses examples such as "program/programme," "counsellor/counselor," and the use of <-our> vs. <-or> endings.
- Grammar: This section focuses on grammatical differences between AmE and BrE, particularly in the past tense and past participle forms of verbs. It discusses the use of irregular forms in BrE and regular forms in AmE, and the different meanings and usage of "have got" and "have gotten."
- Lexis: This section examines lexical differences between AmE and BrE, focusing on examples related to automobiles, traffic, and travel. It explores the historical development of vocabulary, the influence of Native American languages, and the impact of independent development on lexical divergence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on key concepts such as American English, British English, General American, Received Pronunciation, pronunciation, spelling, grammar, lexis, vocabulary, historical development, cultural influence, and the future of language varieties.
- Quote paper
- Adrian Müller (Author), 2013, Differences between American and British English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/315663
