American English Vs British English

Question

Hello all! I've got something ask. Sometimes i see title like Shopping Centre and Shopping Center. Is there any difference between those words? If that's local language version which is British and which is Amerian English or so?
All English Speaking Countries have their own "ENGLISH VERSION" Some quastions here:
1. Is it good to communicate?
2. Which English is CLEAR ONE?
3. What is International English?
4. What is unfamiliar English?
5. Why English became international language?

If you leave some comment I'll really happy for it. Thanks a lot for readin untill this...
M.Bayar
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hello all! I've got something ask. Sometimes i see title likeShopping Centre and Shopping Center. Is there any difference between those words? If that's local language version which is British and whichis Amerian English or so?[/nq]
There is no difference in meaning between American "center" and British "centre".
[nq:1]All English Speaking Countries have their own "ENGLISH VERSION" Some quastions here: 1. Is it good to communicate? 2. Which English is CLEAR ONE?[/nq]
It doesn't make any difference. Written American English and written British English are nearly the same; but, with spoken English, if you are used to hearing one, then you will find that one clearer. It's quite easy to learn to understand both after you have learned one of them.
[nq:1]3. What is International English?[/nq]
It usually seems to mean the kind of English used by British speakers and others from the British Commonwealth; it also seems to be the kind of English most often used in Europe. But in my opinion American English is nearly as international. Just learn the kind of English your teachers speak.
[nq:1]4. What is unfamiliar English?[/nq]
I don't know what you mean.
[nq:1]5. Why English became international language?[/nq]
Because the British Empire, once including the United States, happened by chance to be represented on every continent at a time when industrialisation and trade became world-wide: Britain was at that time the leading industrial nation. It's also because simple English is a very easy language to learn: but it's more difficult than some other languages to learn at an advanced level.

(I hope I'm not doing your homework for you.)

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

To add to that, but also to add to the poster's confusion, the "center" spelling is American, but there is a current trend in America to name places things like "The Centre at Westbrook". The developers evidently feel that using the British spelling adds some sort of class to a row of buildings occupied by shops. Or shoppes.

The same applies to "theater" and "theatre". The use of the British spelling of "theatre" adds about a buck to the admission price, and the popcorn is more expensive.

Tony Cooper
Orlando FL

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Shopping is There is no difference in meaning between American ... to understand both after you have learned one of them.[/nq]
[nq:1]To add to that, but also to add to the poster's confusion, the "center" spelling is American, but there is a current trend in America to name places things like "The Centre at Westbrook". The developers[/nq]
Yes. This is stupid to begin with (instead of just calling it Westbrook Center, or even Westbrook Centre) but it got even more stupid when they came up with this style for something not even commercial. It was the state prison or something.
[nq:1]evidently feel that using the British spelling adds some sort of class to a row of buildings occupied by shops. ... of the British spelling of "theatre" adds about a buck to the admission price, and the popcorn is more expensive.[/nq]
s/ meirman

If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
now in Baltimore 22 years

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]5. Why English became international language?[/nq]
[nq:1]Because the British Empire, once including the United States, happened by chance to be represented on every continent at a ... speakers of any of the numerous local languages. (French is useful for the same reason in other parts of Africa.)[/nq]
These reasons are very compelling in practical terms, but they are not linguistic. They have little or nothing to do with the properties of English that distinguish it from other languages.
[nq:1]It's also because simple English is a very easy language to learn: but it's more difficult than some other languages to learn at an advanced level.[/nq]
I feel very doubtful of this. It is extremely difficult for us to rate the difficulty of learning another language than our own, if we have grown up monoglot. (Most Americans, I think, are monoglot, though an increasing numbr are competent in both English and Spanish.) Children are endowed by nature with an ability to learn language; they /will/ learn whatever language or languages are spoken around them. This endowment fades out as they grow up. To an adult struggling to get competent in a new language, his children's effortless fluency must seem like a miracle.
So, yes, English is easy to learn if you are 3 to 6 years old and live where English is spoken. And if in later life you try to learn Spanish or Chinese or Russian, these will seem terribly difficult.

But if you had grown up speaking Chinese, then English would be strange and difficult for you, just as Chinese is strange and difficult for us Anglophones.
I am not a linguist. But I have long been a snapper-up of books written by linguists and addressed to the larger public. I have noticed that they are very reluctant to make blanket judgements comparing the difficulty, complexity, "richness", or other global qualities of different languages. Partly, this reluctance is a matter of politeness or political correctness. But not entirely. I think the linguists really do find that every language has its own riches, its own subtleties, and its own warts.
I can think of several features of English that might make it not at all easy for an adult to learn, even at an elementary level.
1. The sounds of English - the vowels especially - are relativelynumerous. The "th" sounds are difficult for many speakers of European languages, "H", when it /is/ sounded, is tricky for Russians, who tend to turn it into a "kh" sound or a hard "G." Our vowels are numerous and tend to be diphthongs.
2. The spelling of English - ooh, Lord! It bedevils natives as well asnewcomers.
3. We use intonation to resolve ambiguities in spoken English. Well, sowhat? Isn't Chinese also a tonal language? It is, in a different way. In Chinese, the tones distinguish different words that would, without the tones, sound alike. In English, patterns of tone and stress give shape to phrases and sentences.
4. When we English-speakers compare our language to others, we areinclined to be proud of the large, rich lexicon of English. Well, it does seem to be true that English has a larger-than-average number of words. (This is one of the few aspects of language where comparisons of greater and lesser are definable.) This does not necessarily make English easy. I think the core of the Engloish vocabulary may be as hard to master as the core of another language, or perhaps harder.

4a. This "core" includes prepositions, conjunctions, and other "function words," such as "in", "on", "as", "at", and "but". These are complicated in their uses. Of course, other languages have similar words, similarly complicated.
4b. English also has lots of little words with big collections of meanings. Consider "put", "get", "go", "set", "run". Look up one of these in the OED and read up on all the different meanings and uses.
I think the best pop-linguistics book I have recebtly read is Crystal, The Stories of English .

Chris Henrich
http://www.mathinteract.com
*** just doesn't fit inside a single religion.

Usenet · Answer

Tony Cooper averred thusly in
[nq:1]To add to that, but also to add to the poster's confusion, the "center" spelling is American, but there is ... of the British spelling of "theatre" adds about a buck to the admission price, and the popcorn is more expensive.[/nq]
Here in Maine, and throughout New England, some places like to use the British spelling to emphasize the region's historic ties. One of my jobs is as a projectionist at the Colonial Theatre www.colonialtheatre.com and our popcorn is actually a lot cheaper than at the megaplexes. We did just put our admission price up a dollar for the evening shows, but Saudi Arabia and out-of-control taxation has a lot more to do with that than any pretense.
Peace,
Tor

Bored? Check out Tor's Rants!
http://torsrants.blogspot.com

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"Christopher J. Henrich" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:2]It's also because simple English is a very easy language ... than some other languages to learn at an advanced level.[/nq]
For me a as German native speaker (Swiss) English has been very easy to learn until a certain level, but the English language is getting gradually more difficult as your English level increases. I'm currently taking English lesson at the Level C2 (Common European Framework) or Level 3 of the UK National Qualifications Framework. My goal is to pass the Certificate of Proficiency in English (University of Cambridge ESOL examincations) in 2005/2006. English is quite tough on this level and can't be called an easy language...eventough in many way it is when you consider that for example my own language German is very difficult to learn from the very beginning...and no easy start like for English learners.
[nq:1]I can think of several features of English that might make it not at all easy for an adult to learn, even at an elementary level.[/nq]
I think it English is very easy at an elementary level at least for Europeans.
[nq:1]1. The sounds of English - the vowels especially - are relatively numerous. The "th" sounds are difficult for many speakers of European languages,[/nq]
Yeah the "th" sounds are quite tricky.
[nq:1]2. The spelling of English - ooh, Lord! It bedevils natives as well as newcomers.[/nq]
The spelling of English words can be really complicated especially because they don't seems to really follow any rules...so you simply have to memorize word by word, but I don't think spelling is an essential part of learning a language.
[nq:1]4. When we English-speakers compare our language to others, we are inclined to be proud of the large, rich lexicon ... core of the Engloish vocabulary may be as hard to master as the core of another language, or perhaps harder.[/nq]
I think the reason why the English language has so many words is simple. It used to borrow tons of words from foreign language especially from French. That's only reason why the English dictionaries are so thick. Not a real reason to be proud of...otherwise a lot of languages gaining more and more richness by adding the numberous of anglicisms to their vocabulary. I've gotten the impression that you almost always have an English word with Germanic roots and an equivalent with French roots. 50% of the words would still do it.
[nq:1]4a. This "core" includes prepositions, conjunctions, and other "function words," such as "in", "on", "as", "at", and "but". These are ... "set", "run". Look up one of these in the OED and read up on all the different meanings and uses.[/nq]
...and don't forget the countless pharasal verbs.
Michael

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]For me a as German native speaker (Swiss) English has been very easy to learn until a certain level, but the English language is getting gradually more difficult as your English level increases.[/nq]
I'm sure that's true of all languages. English is probably easier to learn to an elementary level than languages that, say, retain gender for all nouns and have verbs with complex declensions but all languages get harder as one studies them to a more advanced level.
I would say that English is quite an easy language to learn to communicate in even at an advanced level but very hard to learn to be able to speak like a native.
I once knew a (native English-speaking) girl whose father was a Hungarian who had settled in England after (before?) the second world war. He was highly intelligent and articulate he taught at a British University but retained something of an accent and occasionally spoke unidiomatic English. When he did so his daughter would correct him, and he would quietly reply "I have been speaking English for longer than you have, my girl".
[nq:1]My goal is to pass the Certificate of Proficiency in English (University of Cambridge ESOL examincations) in 2005/2006. English is quite tough on this level and can't be called an easy language...[/nq]
Good luck with that but if the language of your posting here is anything to go by I'm sure you won't have much difficulty.
[nq:1]The spelling of English words can be really complicated especially because they don't seems to really follow any rules ...[/nq]
There are plenty of rules ... you just have to know when they don't apply!

Seriously, though, every natural language has its irregular aspects. All one can do is to learn them.
[nq:1]... but I don't think spelling is an essential part of learning a language.[/nq]
I think it would be a mistake to think that spelling doesn't matter. For one thing there are often two words that sound the same but are spelt differently ("through" and "threw", "rough" and "ruff" (OK, let's think of some that don't involve that tricky "-ough" ...) "be" and "bee", "too" and "two" and "to", "succour" and "sucker", etc.) if you use the wrong spelling you'll risk completely changing the meaning of what you write.

For another thing, if you can understand the origin of an English word (and as you speak German you have a head start) you often have a good clue as to how it should be spelt and conversely: if you know the spelling you will have an inkling of the origin of the word, and so a better understanding of its meaning and use. It's not foolproof, but finding patterns between languages can be as helpful in learning a language as finding patterns within it.
There will always be false friends words that sound the same but are in fact unrelated and have different meanings but one always has to learn those. (Does German have the same phrase for "false friends"? I find it strangely satisfying that "faux amis" in French and "falsi amici" in Italian have just the same meaning as in English that is: they are not false friends!)
[nq:1]I think the reason why the English language has so many words is simple. It used to borrow tons of words from foreign language especially from French.[/nq]
It's been said that English is a language that likes to lurk in dark alleyways waiting for other languages to pass by so that it can mug them for their vocabularies.
[nq:1]That's only reason why the English dictionaries are so thick. Not a real reason to be proud of...[/nq]
Well ... the richness of English means that it can be very expressive ... but I agree that that doesn't make it any easier for a non-native speaker to follow. In practice, one doesn't need to know it all to communicate (and, indeed, most native speakers don't).I have some friends who now live in Singapore. They tell me that Singapore has four official languages of which one is English, and that all four are taught in schools. Because everyone has to learn four languages, none of the languages is taught very fully what happens is that the languages are taught in some depth, but with only a limited vocabulary (that is supposed to be sufficient to enable all Singaporeans to communicate and do business in any of the four languages).

They know another English family in Singapore whose teenage daughter took the Singaporean English exam at school and failed it! Her vocabulary was too broad: She had used perfectly good English words in the correct context, but the teacher had not known the words (or maybe had known that they were not part of the Singapore dialect of English) and so marked her down.
Cheers,
Daniel.

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"Daniel James" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:2]For me a as German native speaker (Swiss) English has ... language is gettinggradually more difficult as your English level increases.[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm sure that's true of all languages. English is probably easier to learnto an elementary level than languages that, say, retain gender for all nounsand have verbs with complex declensions but all languages get harder as one studies them to a more advanced level.[/nq]
I agree.
[nq:1]I would say that English is quite an easy language to learn to communicatein even at an advanced level but very hard to learn to be able to speak like a native.[/nq]What's your definition of an advanced level of English? Do you only mean the ability to communicate in English fluently or what else? I think it takes a lot to be familiar with all the sentence structure used in formal as well as informal English and to be able to distinguish different level of formality and tiny differences in meaning between words with similar meaning. I mean the English level I'm heading to is the English level equal to an educated native speaker...and not just the everyday English.

It's good enough to teach English to locals here. Yes, it takes a lot of time to be familiar with all the idiomatic expressions especially because English seems to have countless of them and they can vary a lot depending on the area. The good thing is that many of them are also known in German. I'd love knowing English like a native speaker, but I'm afraid I'd have to have another language stay in English speaking country to archive this goal completely.
[nq:1]I once knew a (native English-speaking) girl whose father was a Hungarianwho had settled in England after (before?) the second ... daughter would correct him, and he would quietly reply"I have been speaking English for longer than you have, my girl".[/nq]
MMh I think it depends how old an immigrant had been and how hard he had been trying.
[nq:2]My goal is to pass the Certificate of Proficiency in ... on this level and can't be called an easy language...[/nq]
[nq:1]Good luck with that but if the language of your posting here isanything to go by I'm sure you won't have much difficulty.[/nq]
Well...even my English is quite advanced I still can learn a lot...especially when it's about more formal sentence structure, idioms, phrasal words and certain grammar topics.
[nq:2]The spelling of English words can be really complicated especiallybecause they don't seems to really follow any rules ...[/nq]
[nq:1]There are plenty of rules ... you just have to know when they don't apply![/nq]
Well I've told some of the English especially British spelling is about 400 years old...and can you tell me what does it have to do with common sense when you pronounce the "ea" in "steak" different than in "freak"?
[nq:1]Seriously, though, every natural language has its irregular aspects. Allone can do is to learn them.[/nq]
That's true...but by simplifying the English spelling and bringing it update with modern English like the Americans have done it partly would make things much easier.
[nq:2]... but I don't think spelling is an essential part of learning a language.[/nq]
[nq:1]I think it would be a mistake to think that spelling doesn't matter. Forone thing there are often two words ... "succour" and "sucker", etc.) if you use the wrong spellingyou'll risk completely changing the meaning of what you write.[/nq]
Yes sure...good argument, but I think in most of the time the context of the sentence makes it clear which word is meant. The issue of homophones doesn't occure in every typo. Right?
[nq:1]For another thing, if you can understand the origin of an English word(and as you speak German you have a ... It's not foolproof, but finding patterns between languages can be as helpful in learning a language as finding patternswithin it.[/nq]
Of course. I do work with patterns in language...In fact word convertion is even a part of the examination I'm learning for.
[nq:1]There will always be false friends words that sound the same but are in fact unrelated and have different ... and "falsi amici" inItalian have just the same meaning as in English that is: they are not false friends!)[/nq]
Yes, we know the expression "false friends" too...I know what you mean.

Well I think the huge vocabulary of English is certainly great for writers.
[nq:1]I have some friends who now live in Singapore. They tell me that Singapore has four official languages of which ... words (or maybe had known that they were not part of the Singapore dialect ofEnglish) and so marked her down.[/nq]
Not a very fair teacher ..if you ask me.

Usenet · Answer

One needs to be careful about these assumptions. In some cases it was not that the Americans updated the spelling, but rather that they retained an older spelling which was abandoned by British English.

(A case in point is "color/colour". Both spellings have existed for some centuries, but whilst the "non-u" spelling was abandoned in BrEng it was retained in AmEng. It's thus not really a case of the Americans "modernising" the spelling, but using an equally-old-but-different spelling.)

Cheers, Harvey
Canada for 30 years; S England since 1982.
(for e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van)

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"Harvey Van Sickle" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:1]On 07 May 2005, Michael Schudel wrote[/nq]
[nq:2]one That's true...but by simplifying the English spelling and bringing ... Americans have done it partly would make things much easier.[/nq]
[nq:1]One needs to be careful about these assumptions. In some cases it was not that the Americans updated the spelling, ... retained in AmEng. It's thus not really a case of the Americans "modernising" the spelling, but using an equally-old-but-different spelling.[/nq]
Really interesting, but what's the purpose of the useless "ou" in colour...when color works too. PS: What's your occupation?

American English Vs British English

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