Group 3

Momina Nasir (002)

Amna Akbar (003)
Noooram Abbas (020)
Jawaria Ahmad (027)
Mr. Muhammad Ali Khalid
World Englishes
8th BS English Literature (M)
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
AMERICAN ENGLISH DIALECT'S VARIATION WITH RESPECT TO STANDARD
BRITISH DIALECT

1. Introduction
The differences between American English and Standard British English are a fascinating area of
linguistic research that have a long history of colonization, migration, and cultural interchange.
Due to their shared linguistic ancestry, they have a large quantity of vocabulary and structural
similarities, but they have also evolved separately over time, developing different phonetic,
lexical, and grammatical traits. This essay's goal is to investigate these linguistic variations and
comprehend the consequences of them in a larger sociocultural and communicative framework.

2. Historical Context and Evolution

The roots of American English can be traced back to the early 17th century when British
colonization in North America began. Initially, the dialects of the settlers remained relatively
consistent with those from their regions of origin. However, as time progressed, the influence of
other languages - including Dutch, Spanish, and Native American languages - along with a
natural process of linguistic evolution led to a gradual divergence. The 18th century witnessed
the first signs of a distinctly American vocabulary as new words were coined to describe the
novel environments and experiences. Lexical differences widened further during the Industrial
Revolution, where different terminologies were adopted on either side of the Atlantic to describe
new inventions and processes.
The linguistic departure was cemented in the 19th century when Noah Webster introduced the
“American Dictionary of the English Language”, where he deliberately sought to distance
American English from British English, introducing Americanized spelling and vocabulary. This
act not only created a linguistic identity but also fostered a sense of national identity.

3. Phonological Variations
Phonological divergence is a crucial dimension where American and Standard British English
vary significantly. In terms of speech, the differences between American and British English
actually took place after the first settlers arrived in America. These groups of people spoke using
what was called rhotic speech, where the ‘r’ sounds of words are pronounced. Meanwhile, the
higher classes in the UK wanted to distinguish the way they spoke from the common masses by
softening their pronunciation of the ‘r’ sounds.
For example,
 Additionally, various vowel shifts have occurred distinctly in both dialects, leading to
notable differences in pronunciation.
 Another critical divergence is the flattening of the ‘a’ sound in words such as ‘dance,’
‘bath,’ and ‘path’ in American English, as opposed to the broader ‘a’ utilized in British
English.
 Other variations include differences in stress patterns and intonation, which
fundamentally affect the rhythm and melody of the spoken language, creating a unique
phonetic character for each.

4. Lexical and Semantic Variations

Apart from phonetic differences, the dialects exhibit significant lexical disparities. While some
words have entirely different counterparts in each dialect (e.g., “truck” in American and “lorry”
in British), others possess nuanced semantic differences with the same term conveying slightly
different meanings. The use of prepositions and articles often vary too, delineating a clear
demarcation between the dialects..
1. Semantic Variations

Semantic variations refer to the nuanced differences in the meanings that are attached to the
same word in both dialects. Understanding these variations is crucial in deciphering the subtle
nuances in communication. For example,

Quite

AE: often used to emphasize agreement or the extreme nature of a situation (e.g., "It is quite
wonderful.")

BE: can be used to express a moderate degree of a characteristic (e.g., "It is quite good,"
implying that it is moderately good, not extremely good).

2. Lexical Variations
The lexical landscape between American English and Standard British English is marked with
significant variations, giving rise to distinct vocabularies that sometimes refer to the same objects
or concepts. For example,

Automobiles

AE: trunk, hood, gas, sedan

BE: boot, bonnet, petrol, saloon

Housing

AE: apartment, faucet, realtor

BE: flat, tap, estate agent

5. Grammatical Variations
While sharing a substantial grammatical foundation, the dialects exhibit nuanced differences in
their syntactic and morphological structures. Noteworthy differences include the use of the
present perfect tense, past simple tense variations, and differing preferences for certain verb
forms.
For instance, the British might say, “I have just eaten,” utilizing the present perfect tense, while
an American might say, “I just ate,” opting for the past simple tense. Additionally, distinctions
can be observed in pluralization and collective nouns usage, adding to the subtle grammatical
variations that differentiate these two dialects.
Verb Forms
BE: “I have got a new job”.
AE: “I have gotten a new job”.
Collective Nouns
BE: “The team are playing well”.
AE: “The team is playing well”.
 6. Spelling Differences
A noticeable difference of the divergence between American English and Standard British
English lies in spelling conventions, an element attributed largely to historical developments and
influences from other languages. These spelling disparities, which encompass differences in
suffixes, word endings, and even individual letters, often point to a rich narrative of historical
developments, and linguistic reform movements.
Examples:
 Words ending in "or" (AE) and "our" (BE)
AE: color, honor, labor, neighbor
BE: colour, honour, labour, neighbour
 Words ending in "er" (AE) and "re" (BE)

AE: center, theater, liter

BE: centre, theatre, litre

 Words ending in "ize" (AE) and "ise" (BE)

AE: realize, organize, recognize

BE: realise, organise, recognise

7. Socio-Cultural Implications
The differences between American and Standard British English dialects transcend linguistic
boundaries to embody deeper socio-cultural implications. In the globalized world, the
distinctions between the dialects have both facilitated rich cross-cultural exchanges and posed
challenges in communication.
Examples:

1. Media and Representation

 American media outlets might prefer using AE terms, with movies often showcasing
American slang, phrasing, and accents, which over time, has proliferated and established
a distinct American linguistic identity globally.
  British media, on the other hand, retains its distinctiveness, often championing the BE
lexicon, promoting a rich tradition of British literature, and celebrating the nuances of
various British accents, which has led to a global appreciation for the depth of British
linguistic culture.
2. Literature
 American authors like Mark Twain have utilized American dialects in their works to craft
narratives deeply rooted in the American socio-cultural milieu, thus offering a rich
tapestry of American life through a distinct linguistic lens.
 British literature, represented by authors like Jane Austen, has portrayed the intricacies of
British society, leveraging the rich vocabulary and distinct grammatical structures of BE
to present a vivid picture of British life.

Aspect American English (AE) Standard British English (BE)

Lexical
Automobiles trunk, hood, gas, sedan boot, bonnet, petrol, saloon
Housing apartment, faucet, realtor flat, tap, estate agent
Semantic
Quite Extremely good Moderately good
"Table" a motion Set aside, delay discussion Present a matter for discussion
Grammatical
Present Perfect I just had lunch I've just had lunch
Past Simple I already saw that film I've already seen that film
Spelling
Ending - "or" color, honor colour, honour
Ending - "er" center, liter centre, litre
Socio-Cultural
Media American slang, phrasing British lexicon, varied accents
Literature identity showcased in Rich vocabulary, British life
narratives portrayed vividly

Table shows the difference and variation of two dialects of same language
 8. Some Common Life Examples from Media , Presidency and Government
Friends: In the TV show “Friends”, one can observe the prevalent use of American slang and
colloquial expressions. Phrases such as ‘awesome’ and ‘totally’ are frequently used, showcasing
the casual and informal linguistic style that is characteristic of American sitcoms of that era. The
show also provides an insight into American spelling preferences with words such as ‘color’ and
‘theater’ being the norm.

Downton Abbey: In “Downton Abbey”, viewers encounter the formal and traditional dialect of
British English. The lexicon includes terms like ‘lorry’ for ‘truck’, and ‘biscuit’ for ‘cookie’.
Moreover, British phrases and idioms such as saying one is ‘feeling peckish’ when hungry are
commonplace, offering a rich insight into British linguistic culture.

Queen Elizabeth II:

 In her speeches, the Queen had often been seen utilizing a formal and traditional set of
vocabulary, embracing words such as “whilst” instead of the more common “while”.
 The Queen is known for her formal manner of speaking, which includes the proper and
meticulous use of English, reflecting the traditions and the rich history of the British
monarchy.

President Joe Biden

 President Biden often uses distinctly American terminology in his speeches. For instance,
he uses terms like "folks" to address the people.
 Even in formal addresses, he might opt for a more relaxed and approachable manner of
speech, showcasing the American preference for informality and straightforwardness.

9. Conclusion
In conclusion, the differences between Standard British English and American English dialects
offer a rich subject of linguistic research that is entwined with history, culture, and identity. It is
the responsibility of academics and linguists to continuously investigate this dynamic interaction
of language, keeping a close eye on its wider socio-cultural ramifications, in order to improve
our comprehension of the world as seen through the lens of language.
10. References

British Council. “Differences between British and American English | British Council

Foundation Indonesia.” Britishcouncilfoundation.id, 2019,

www.britishcouncilfoundation.id/en/english/articles/british-and-american-english.

“British English and American English.” LearnEnglish, 23 July 2019,

learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/british-english-

american-english.

“British English vs. American English: Words, Spelling, and Pronunciation.”

Dictionary.com, 24 Oct. 2022, www.dictionary.com/e/british-english-vs-

american-english/.

“What Are the Differences between British and American English? | Britannica

Dictionary.” Www.britannica.com, www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/what-

are-the-differences-between-British-and-American-English#:~:text=British

%20English%20and%20American%20sound.