I found spelling mistake on my previous comment, please don't mention it unless you don't understand what I mean.
I personaly hate spell mistake! (I don't mind other ppl making mistake, though. It's just my own thing.)I wish MIXI had spell cheker!! Don't you?
I'm just curious...
Obviously, There are various forms of the English dialect today.
American English, British English, Australian English, New Zealand English, Indian English and so on... American and British English being the most popular for study....
What's your biggest appeal for choosing between American and British English?
As for differences,
To me, there isn't a huge difference between the two. American English is fairly well standardized across the United States, and in the overwhelming majority of their grammatical forms they are in general agreement with standard, written British English.
Of course, There are differences in spelling, slang and accent.
Oh yeah... If you actually think English came from "England". I suggest you hit the history books, and slap yourself in the face well your at it.
English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers and Roman auxiliary troops... Of course, Trading and Fighting with the Roman-Empire, whose main language was Latin also influenced the way English is.. But,There's a lot more to it. So I'm not going to give a History lesson.
Obviously, There are various forms of the English dialect today.
American English, British English, Australian English, New Zealand English, Indian English and so on... American and British English being the most popular for study....
What's your biggest appeal for choosing between American and British English?
As for differences,
To me, there isn't a huge difference between the two. American English is fairly well standardized across the United States, and in the overwhelming majority of their grammatical forms they are in general agreement with standard, written British English.
Of course, There are differences in spelling, slang and accent.
Oh yeah... If you actually think English came from "England". I suggest you hit the history books, and slap yourself in the face well your at it.
English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers and Roman auxiliary troops... Of course, Trading and Fighting with the Roman-Empire, whose main language was Latin also influenced the way English is.. But,There's a lot more to it. So I'm not going to give a History lesson.
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コメント(83)
I dont really believe their is just an American english and a British english. I think accents and diffrent words vary too much across england for it to be catagorized so simply - i imagine the same is even more true for a country as big as america.
I have lived in northern england all my life - in Yorkshire. North england uses alot of words commonly that alot of southerners would not understand, and vica versa.
For example in yorkshire their are words such as "offcumden" which means outsider, as well as words like "dale" for valley and phrases such as "bugger lugs" "love" "pet" used rather than a persons name, in an endearing and freindly way.
When i travelled to a southern english city, i was suprised to find shops called "Cob Shops". Upon entering them, i found out they were some sort of baker's! This word "cob" does not exhist where i grew up.
Also, i have been to some parts of england where some american words are common place and everyday, such as trash and high school, where as in others diffrent words are used, such as rubbish and secondary school.
I think of no type of english (American english, queens english, etc) as the true, origional english - every type is a dialect (and some times accented) version of an origional english which has pretty much been lost :)
I have lived in northern england all my life - in Yorkshire. North england uses alot of words commonly that alot of southerners would not understand, and vica versa.
For example in yorkshire their are words such as "offcumden" which means outsider, as well as words like "dale" for valley and phrases such as "bugger lugs" "love" "pet" used rather than a persons name, in an endearing and freindly way.
When i travelled to a southern english city, i was suprised to find shops called "Cob Shops". Upon entering them, i found out they were some sort of baker's! This word "cob" does not exhist where i grew up.
Also, i have been to some parts of england where some american words are common place and everyday, such as trash and high school, where as in others diffrent words are used, such as rubbish and secondary school.
I think of no type of english (American english, queens english, etc) as the true, origional english - every type is a dialect (and some times accented) version of an origional english which has pretty much been lost :)
British English is much more formal then American English, there are also a number of words and phrases that don't exist in British English that do in American English, and vise versa. There is an ENORMOUS difference between these two cultures, please don't get them mixed up or think they're the same, as you will probably insult either person by doing so.
Some examples:
British English: "Ring me" American English: "call me"
British English: "take-away" American English: "take-out"
British English: "Fit (as in meaning attrative)" American English: "fit (as in meaning physically athletic"
British English: "mobile phone" American English: "cell phone"
British English: "lory" American English: "truck"
British English: "nappy" American English: "diaper"
British English: "ice lolly" American English: "Popsicle"
Then there are differences in spelling. These are only a few examples, there are many MANY many more. I learn a new word in British English every time I talk to a Briton.
British English: "colour" American English: "color"
British English: "faerie" American English: "fairy"
British English: "mum" American English: "mom"
British English: "aeroplane" American English: "airplane"
For more information on this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences
Some examples:
British English: "Ring me" American English: "call me"
British English: "take-away" American English: "take-out"
British English: "Fit (as in meaning attrative)" American English: "fit (as in meaning physically athletic"
British English: "mobile phone" American English: "cell phone"
British English: "lory" American English: "truck"
British English: "nappy" American English: "diaper"
British English: "ice lolly" American English: "Popsicle"
Then there are differences in spelling. These are only a few examples, there are many MANY many more. I learn a new word in British English every time I talk to a Briton.
British English: "colour" American English: "color"
British English: "faerie" American English: "fairy"
British English: "mum" American English: "mom"
British English: "aeroplane" American English: "airplane"
For more information on this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences
And more for you English nerds ;D
http://www3.telus.net/linguisticsissues/BritishCanadianAmerican.htm - Spelling differences between British/US/Canadian English.
(By the way, Canadian English is very very similar to American English, most Canadians sound like they're from the USA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_words_having_different_meanings_in_British_and_American_English -- List of words with different meanings in British and American English.
http://www3.telus.net/linguisticsissues/BritishCanadianAmerican.htm - Spelling differences between British/US/Canadian English.
(By the way, Canadian English is very very similar to American English, most Canadians sound like they're from the USA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_words_having_different_meanings_in_British_and_American_English -- List of words with different meanings in British and American English.
Canadian English is a mix between the two.
So just pick Canada to study abroad (our economy needs a boost).
There are different forms of English in Canada too. Like "Newfie" English. Sometimes they're difficult to understand. I think it comes from Scottish. For me, Scottish (there are probably more than one type as well) is the hardest accent to understand. And cockney English.
#47,
British English: "Ring me" American English: "call me" ---> "phone me" or "call me"
British English: "take-away" American English: "take-out" ---> "take-out"
British English: "Fit (as in meaning attrative)" American English: "fit (as in meaning physically athletic" ---> both
British English: "mobile phone" American English: "cell phone" ---? "cell" or just "phone" eg. "I lost my phone when I was drunk"
British English: "lory" American English: "truck" ---> "truck" (I happen to call all vehicles "cars")
British English: "nappy" American English: "diaper" ---> "diaper"
British English: "ice lolly" American English: "Popsicle" ---> "popsicle"
British English: "colour" American English: "color" ---> "colour"
British English: "faerie" American English: "fairy" ---> "fairy"
British English: "mum" American English: "mom" ---> Written as "mom" but pronounced as "mum"
British English: "aeroplane" American English: "airplane" ---> "airplane" although I've seen both.
This could vary in different areas in Canada as well. I've always lived in the interior of British Columbia or on the coast.
So just pick Canada to study abroad (our economy needs a boost).
There are different forms of English in Canada too. Like "Newfie" English. Sometimes they're difficult to understand. I think it comes from Scottish. For me, Scottish (there are probably more than one type as well) is the hardest accent to understand. And cockney English.
#47,
British English: "Ring me" American English: "call me" ---> "phone me" or "call me"
British English: "take-away" American English: "take-out" ---> "take-out"
British English: "Fit (as in meaning attrative)" American English: "fit (as in meaning physically athletic" ---> both
British English: "mobile phone" American English: "cell phone" ---? "cell" or just "phone" eg. "I lost my phone when I was drunk"
British English: "lory" American English: "truck" ---> "truck" (I happen to call all vehicles "cars")
British English: "nappy" American English: "diaper" ---> "diaper"
British English: "ice lolly" American English: "Popsicle" ---> "popsicle"
British English: "colour" American English: "color" ---> "colour"
British English: "faerie" American English: "fairy" ---> "fairy"
British English: "mum" American English: "mom" ---> Written as "mom" but pronounced as "mum"
British English: "aeroplane" American English: "airplane" ---> "airplane" although I've seen both.
This could vary in different areas in Canada as well. I've always lived in the interior of British Columbia or on the coast.
Haha, it's good to see someone mentioned Flight Of The Conchords.
That's a TV show that would be good to watch to hear the differences between an American and New Zealand accent. The difference is very funny.
Here's a big list of scenes from the TV show.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=FoTCsThirdConchord
That's a TV show that would be good to watch to hear the differences between an American and New Zealand accent. The difference is very funny.
Here's a big list of scenes from the TV show.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=FoTCsThirdConchord
For people studying English, it doesnt make any difference which you learn. Its kind of strange to hear someone say "i only want to learn British/American English" or whatever.
Apart from slang or rarely used words any native speaker can tell you the meanings in each country.
I tell my students British/American meanings of words, its not enough to just tell them one.
There isn't a superior English as far as I'm concerned.
Apart from slang or rarely used words any native speaker can tell you the meanings in each country.
I tell my students British/American meanings of words, its not enough to just tell them one.
There isn't a superior English as far as I'm concerned.
There are a lot of Ameican TVdramas or movies in Japan than British doramas or movies.
So for me I can understand American English more than British. And I love American Music than British so Sorry for British ppl,but I really hard to hear British English for me because I used to American English.
So for me I can understand American English more than British. And I love American Music than British so Sorry for British ppl,but I really hard to hear British English for me because I used to American English.
＞Kuwa
You are right!!Many many kinds of American cultures came to Japan after World war 2. So nowadays the influence of the United States thing is stronger for Japan. Hollywood movies are so popular in Japan and American TV drama,too!Music also.Buy still remain British English,too for Japanese culture.
You are right!!Many many kinds of American cultures came to Japan after World war 2. So nowadays the influence of the United States thing is stronger for Japan. Hollywood movies are so popular in Japan and American TV drama,too!Music also.Buy still remain British English,too for Japanese culture.
it's kind of funny coz in Japan, you see quite a few English words from British in public, like "toilet" mentioned above, however when it comes to "learning" English, American English is the standard.
For Japanese, telling the difference between British English and American's is out of the question, it's a skill that MOST people here will never ever get, or they don't really care in the first place.
For Japanese, telling the difference between British English and American's is out of the question, it's a skill that MOST people here will never ever get, or they don't really care in the first place.
fenomas (#65)
I don't think we use the word "toilet" in the U.S. in the same manner that the Brits and Japanese do. A toilet is equal to a toilet bowl in the U.S., whereas it means a bathroom / restroom in the U.K. and Japan.
I've never seen a single sign that says "Toilet" in public in the U.S. OTOH, it is a very common sign in Europe.
Chiorita (#63)
Okay, so one more word rom Britain, but is that it? :) BTW, I don't think anyone uses the word 背広 anymore.
I don't think we use the word "toilet" in the U.S. in the same manner that the Brits and Japanese do. A toilet is equal to a toilet bowl in the U.S., whereas it means a bathroom / restroom in the U.K. and Japan.
I've never seen a single sign that says "Toilet" in public in the U.S. OTOH, it is a very common sign in Europe.
Chiorita (#63)
Okay, so one more word rom Britain, but is that it? :) BTW, I don't think anyone uses the word 背広 anymore.
★さｯちん☆ (#67)
There are certain variants of American English that are "non-rhotic" (i.e. don't pronounce the post-vocalic "r"). Many of the accents used in New England are like that. So are those in the South. You know where "Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd" came from, right? :)
Also, due to the lack of the post-vocalic "r", British English has developed a very interesting phonetic trait. It is called "intrusive r." For instance, "car" is normally pronounced like "cah," but becomes "car" when followed by a word that begins with a vowel, so "I have a cah" but "my caR is broken." They take it one step further and insert an additional r where there was no "r" to begin with.
"Toyota was founded in 19xx."
"Toyota-R-is a big company." <-- sounds like トヨタリズ...
That took me a little getting used to. :)
There are certain variants of American English that are "non-rhotic" (i.e. don't pronounce the post-vocalic "r"). Many of the accents used in New England are like that. So are those in the South. You know where "Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd" came from, right? :)
Also, due to the lack of the post-vocalic "r", British English has developed a very interesting phonetic trait. It is called "intrusive r." For instance, "car" is normally pronounced like "cah," but becomes "car" when followed by a word that begins with a vowel, so "I have a cah" but "my caR is broken." They take it one step further and insert an additional r where there was no "r" to begin with.
"Toyota was founded in 19xx."
"Toyota-R-is a big company." <-- sounds like トヨタリズ...
That took me a little getting used to. :)
66 だいはど
Ahh - in that case I think you have it backwards, since that sense of "toilet" is thought to be an Americanism. "Toilet" originally referred to personal grooming - brushing your teeth, combing your hair and so on. The theory is that Americans started using it euphemistically to refer to bathrooms sometime in the 19th century.
Later, the term was extended to the appliance itself, and I suppose it's because of that that it came (in the US) to be considered less polite than other terms, which is why you don't see it on signs. And that sense may be less common in the US nowadays than in England - but where Japan borrowed it from is anyone's guess.
Ahh - in that case I think you have it backwards, since that sense of "toilet" is thought to be an Americanism. "Toilet" originally referred to personal grooming - brushing your teeth, combing your hair and so on. The theory is that Americans started using it euphemistically to refer to bathrooms sometime in the 19th century.
Later, the term was extended to the appliance itself, and I suppose it's because of that that it came (in the US) to be considered less polite than other terms, which is why you don't see it on signs. And that sense may be less common in the US nowadays than in England - but where Japan borrowed it from is anyone's guess.
fenomas (#69)
Ah, okay. So it is the Americans that took one step further. Come to think of it, that makes sense. "Eau de toilette" in French does not mean "bathroom water." :)
It's funny how one term was originally used euphemistically to avoid being too direct but was later transformed into a more direct term. Reminds me of the Japanese "kisama"（貴様）. It used to be the polite form of "you" but is now used in a derogatory manner.
Ah, okay. So it is the Americans that took one step further. Come to think of it, that makes sense. "Eau de toilette" in French does not mean "bathroom water." :)
It's funny how one term was originally used euphemistically to avoid being too direct but was later transformed into a more direct term. Reminds me of the Japanese "kisama"（貴様）. It used to be the polite form of "you" but is now used in a derogatory manner.
Chiorita (#72)
>> Where is トレーナーcome from??????
Where did トレーナー come from? I have no idea. I just looked it up on Webster online, which says it can mean sport shoes (like "sneakers") in the U.K. but not sweatshirts.
I wouldn't worry too much about where all those borrowed words came from. They mean what they mean in Japan, and that's what matters. :-)
>> Where is トレーナーcome from??????
Where did トレーナー come from? I have no idea. I just looked it up on Webster online, which says it can mean sport shoes (like "sneakers") in the U.K. but not sweatshirts.
I wouldn't worry too much about where all those borrowed words came from. They mean what they mean in Japan, and that's what matters. :-)
American English or British English...It doesnt matter. I think that American English is used more becaue for the simple fact of the population in American. Most English test are given in American Standardized English. I think that British English would probably be easier for Japanese to speak because of the pronunciation. for example British English has softer "R" sounds and Japanese dont have the "R" sound.
If you can understand English though, you should be able to understand pretty much all english and if you cant, that should be your goal.
If you can understand English though, you should be able to understand pretty much all english and if you cant, that should be your goal.
Good attitude. Everyone should have your view.
Without offending anyone I think its moronic not to learn from a British/Australian/American because you find it harder.
If you are studying for university or school, you focus on your weak points.
If you want to be able to say "I can speak English", you must be able to understand accents from all over.
The best thing is that learning to understand accents has never been easier! Youtube, subtitled DVDs and the internet make anything possible!
Without offending anyone I think its moronic not to learn from a British/Australian/American because you find it harder.
If you are studying for university or school, you focus on your weak points.
If you want to be able to say "I can speak English", you must be able to understand accents from all over.
The best thing is that learning to understand accents has never been easier! Youtube, subtitled DVDs and the internet make anything possible!
＞If you want to be able to say "I can speak English", you must be able to understand accents from all over.
Many North Americans have trouble understanding parts of British, Indian, Singaporean, Aussie, etc. English. Can these people declare that "I can speak English"? Seems rather shortsighted to me.
Many North Americans have trouble understanding parts of British, Indian, Singaporean, Aussie, etc. English. Can these people declare that "I can speak English"? Seems rather shortsighted to me.
First point, you said they have trouble, not that they can't. I also occasinally have to ask someone to repeat themselves, but a bit of exposure to an accent makes it no problem, which brings me to my second point, that those north americans probably have little or no contact with those accents. I doubt someone from NY, for example, would have much problem uuderstanding a foreigners accent.
I hail from London, which I think is the most diverse city on the world. I've been hearing weird accents since I was a kid.
Either im a genius (Not the case, my spelling mistakes back me up) or you're wrong.
It cant be both!
I hail from London, which I think is the most diverse city on the world. I've been hearing weird accents since I was a kid.
Either im a genius (Not the case, my spelling mistakes back me up) or you're wrong.
It cant be both!
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