AEE 2140: The Subtle Differences Between American and British English with Luke's English Podcast
Jan 31, 2024
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English teacher and stand-up comedian Luke Thompson joins the podcast to discuss the subtle differences between American and British English, including communication styles, pronunciation, and vocabulary. They also explore the unique cafe culture in Paris and the differences in how Americans and the British respond to the question 'how are you?'. The hosts delve into the nuances of language, attitude, and outlook between the two cultures, as well as the differences in terminology when referring to the restroom.
American and British English differ in their responses to 'How are you?' - Americans tend to be positive while British people often use irony or sarcasm.
Vocabulary differences between American and British English include words like 'pants' and 'trousers', 'diaper' and 'nappy', and 'restroom' and 'toilet'.
Deep dives
American and British English: Communication Styles
One key difference between American and British English communication styles is the way they respond to the question 'How are you?'. Americans tend to give positive and upbeat responses, focusing on achievements and success, while British people often respond with more understated or self-deprecating replies, employing irony or sarcasm. Another difference is the pronunciation of certain sounds. American English often emphasizes the 'R' sound at the end of words, while British English tends to not round the 'R' and places the stress on different syllables. Additionally, American English uses words like 'diaper' and 'garbage', while British English uses 'nappy' and 'rubbish' to refer to the same concepts.
American and British English: Vocabulary Differences
Vocabulary presents one of the most notable differences between American and British English. Some examples of these differences include the use of 'pants' for underwear in the UK and for trousers in the US, and the terms 'diaper' and 'nappy' for a baby's undergarment. There's also the use of 'restroom' in America and 'toilet' or 'loo' in the UK to refer to the same facility, as well as 'soccer' and 'football', which denote the same sport in different countries. Other differences include 'garbage' versus 'rubbish' and 'trash can' versus 'bin' for discarding waste.
American and British English: Pronunciation Variations
Regarding pronunciation, American English tends to emphasize the 'R' sound, while British English may not round the 'R' in certain cases. For example, Americans say 'car' and 'market', while British people say 'kaa' and 'market'. Another pronunciation difference is the 'T' sound, where Americans may pronounce 'T' as a 'D' in the middle of words, such as in 'bottle' or 'water'. Another notable difference is how French loan words are pronounced. In American English, the stress often falls on the last syllable, as in 'ballot' or 'beret', whereas in British English, the stress typically falls on the first syllable, as in 'ballot' or 'beret'.
Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
While there are distinct differences between American and British English, it's important to remember that these differences should not hinder connection. Instead, they can be embraced as interesting points of conversation and exploration. Understanding these variations allows for cultural appreciation and can even provide starting points for meaningful connections between speakers of different English variants.
Luke Thompson is an English teacher and stand-up comedian from the UK, and the host of the award-winning Luke's English Podcast. For nearly 15 years Luke has been using his English teaching experience and stand-up comedy skills to create podcast episodes that educate and entertain his audience of English learners around the world.