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All Ears English Podcast

AEE 2140: The Subtle Differences Between American and British English with Luke's English Podcast

Jan 31, 2024
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.
33:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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