All Ears English Podcast AEE 2140: The Subtle Differences Between American and British English with Luke's English Podcast
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Jan 31, 2024 
In a lively discussion, Luke Thompson, an English teacher and stand-up comedian, dives into the quirks of American and British English. He highlights how responses to 'how are you?' differ, showcasing the irony often found in British replies versus the optimistic American style. The pair discuss pronunciation differences and the hilarious misunderstandings that arise from vocabulary variations like 'restroom' and 'loo'. Cultural insights abound, revealing how language not only conveys meaning but also reflects deeper values in communication.
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Cultural Differences in Communication
- American communication often reflects a positive, pragmatic, and achievement-oriented culture.
- British communication tends to be more understated, self-deprecating, and ironic, possibly due to historical and class influences.
How Are You?
- Americans typically respond to "How are you?" with positive affirmations like "Doing well" or "Great."
- British people often use ironic or understated responses like "Not too bad" or "Could be worse."
Pronunciation: R Sounds
- American English is rhotic, pronouncing "r" sounds at the end of words or after vowels, like in "car" or "hard."
- British English often doesn't pronounce the "r" in these positions, resulting in "ca" or "ha".