5 Big Reasons Why US and UK English Sound So Different
Learning a new language isn’t just about picking up the words and phrases. It’s not just about how well you speak, but how correctly you speak, as language can be a fascinating mosaic of regional nuances and cultural influences. As the old adage goes, “England and America are separated by a common language.
Why does American English sound so different from British English?
Cafe Converse, Delhi’s leading institute for learning spoken English shares 5 reasons for this difference. These are:
1. Colonial Background
When the United States declared independence in 1776, a linguistic shift occurred, and Americans developed their own accent, distinct from British English. This transformation wasn’t a loss of the British accent but the creation of a new one, influenced by geographical isolation and interactions with various cultures.
The roots of American English date back to the 17th century when English settlers arrived in the New World. Isolated from linguistic changes in the UK, American English evolved independently, giving rise to unique expressions, pronunciations, and words.
2. Accents
Before the Revolutionary War in 1776, American and British accents were similar, both pronouncing the letter ‘R’ at the end of words. After independence, accents diverged, but American English retained its ‘R’ pronunciation more consistently. Some exceptions, like New York and New England, became non-rhotic due to British connections.
Dialect levelling occurred as different British dialects mixed in the New World, and over generations, a new American accent emerged. The influence of various immigrant groups, like the Dutch, also contributed to shaping the American sound. The prestigious non-rhotic feature in British English emerged around the same time as the United States and England were growing apart.
3. Spelling
After gaining independence, American schools initially used English textbooks, but Noah Webster, a lexicographer and nationalist, found them inadequate. He disliked the British aristocracy’s influence on language and its strict spelling rules. In the 19th century, Webster led spelling reforms in America, simplifying words like “colour” to “color” and “centre” to “center.” These changes streamlined communication and shaped American English into a distinct entity.
Webster’s popular grammar books and dictionaries solidified his influence, emphasizing matching word spelling with pronunciation. The American and British dictionaries differ significantly due to distinct authorship and language perspectives. The UK’s dictionary, compiled in London (not Oxford), aimed to catalog all English words. In contrast, Noah Webster, the American lexicographer, sought linguistic independence by simplifying and altering spellings, dropping “u” in words like color and changing “-ise” to “-ize” for phonetic accuracy and distinctiveness.
4. Vocabulary
English vocabulary varies between the UK and the US. For instance, “chips” in the UK means chunky fries, not the crispy and thin slices of fried potatoes as in the US. The differences stem from history; American English borrowed words from Native American languages and various immigrant groups.
Spanish, German, and Dutch contributed words like “cookie,” “kindergarten,” and “cilantro.” Some words have different meanings, like “athlete” referring to track and field in the UK but to sports in general in the US. Certain words, like “advert” and “barrister,” are used more in British English than in American English.
5. Grammar
British and American English exhibit grammar variations. In American English, collective nouns are singular (e.g., “The band is playing”), while British English allows both singular and plural forms (e.g., “The band are playing”). Americans use “gotten” as the past participle of “get,” unlike the British who use “got.” “Needn’t” is common in British English but rare in American English, replaced by “don’t need to.”
Prepositions differ, with “at” for time and place in British English and “on” and “in” in American English. Past tense spellings vary, such as “dreamed” in American English and “dreamt” in British English. American English may omit verbs, as in “I’ll write them,” contrasting with the British preference for complete expressions like “I’ll write to you.”
From colonial roots to linguistic divergence, accents, spelling reforms, diverse vocabulary, and grammar variations, the evolution of American and British English reflects historical, cultural, and societal influences, shaping two distinct yet interconnected linguistic identities.
Ms Sonu Goel is a professionally acclaimed certified ESL trainer from the British Council having 15 years of strong background for teaching the English language in both online and physical classes. She is dedicated to teaching of English in an interactive and practical way, whereby learners feel enriched with knowledge and experience the language hands-on. She uses creative ideas and aids to let the learning happen as organically and efficiently as possible. Ms Goel has travelled to various European countries and experienced an array of cultures and linguistic skills for the English language.
To learn more about Sonu Goel please visit : https://cafeconverse.com/best-english-tutor-coach-teacher-sonu-goel.html
