Which version of English is better: British or American?
Of course, there is no clear answer to this question, but today we will look at 5 points that need to be taken into account when choosing one of them.
What is British or American English?
In its most general sense, English is the term used to designate the form of English used in the United States, including all dialects used there. A English is the form of English used in the United Kingdom and all its varieties.
What are the differences between British and American English?
In general, both of these varieties of English are very similar. There are some subtle differences, but they usually do not interfere with communication or understanding. Some of these differences exist...
- in vocabulary: most words are the same, but there are some exceptions. For example, the English say biscuit and the Americans say cookie. However, people from both countries understand each other very well.
- in grammar: most verbs and structures are the same, but there are some differences in usage. For example, a British person might say: "Have you had dinner?", and an American would say: "Did you have dinner?"
- in slang: there are several differences here. For example: a Briton might say: "Alright, mate?", and an American would say: "OK, buddy?" And, of course, there are a great many varieties of slang in both the US and the UK.
- in spelling: most words are spelled the same, but some words in the American version are simplified in terms of spelling. For example, the British write color And gynecology, while in the American version it is written color And gynecology.
- in pronunciation: the British prefer to pronounce the sound [ə] in words ending with -er (water, later, never). While the Americans make a sound [r] more pronounced.
Which option is easier to learn?
It is impossible to say definitively which version of English is the simplest. Much depends on which version you prefer. Any British or American who speaks clearly enough will be equally easy to understand. For example, if you're listening to a BBC or CNN presenter, you probably won't notice much of a difference in accent. Of course, in both countries you may meet people who are difficult to understand.
Which version is recognized as official English?
There is no official version of the English language. There is Standard English (the type of English you find in newspapers, official letters and legal documents), but it is not official English. And linguists classify Standard English as a dialect, just like all other varieties such as Canadian English, New Zealand English, South African English, Australian English, British English, American English, Scottish English, Irish English.... So no the English version is not superior to another - they are all used equally.
So which version of English should you choose?
In the end, it is up to you to decide which version of English you choose to study. Since the differences between varieties of English are minimal and there is no "official" version of English, it really doesn't matter. Of course, if you are planning to emigrate to the USA, it is better to pay more attention to the American version of English; and if you're planning to travel to Australia, you should probably focus on Australian English. However, if these things are not a problem, then the best thing would be to listen to different versions of English, including non-local ones, to get a feel for this international language.
People often wonder which version of the language to learn – British or American. But the point is that there is only one language, and each region has its own subtleties of writing lexical units, grammar and phonetics. In general, even within one country you can find many different dialects. You just need to decide which language you are studying, otherwise you may get confused. Moreover, in addition to the British and American variants, there are other variants of the language - Australian and Canadian, for example.
Historical reference
The difference in languages began a long time ago, back in the days when residents of Great Britain and other European countries set out to explore a new continent. This entire international crowd needed a common language to communicate. The decision was not made in the blink of an eye, but, ultimately, preference was given to the English language. However, the whole point is that the New World was conquered not by English aristocrats with excellent pronunciation, but by lower strata of society. Therefore, there was no talk of prim British vocabulary and pronunciation. At the same time, borrowings from other languages occurred among immigrants from Ireland, Portugal, Italy and France. Therefore, a certain basis appeared that united all these dialects and dialects. In fact, even now American English is considered one of the most rapidly changing languages in the world.
Features of American English
American English is suitable for those who want to take the simplest route. It is lighter, more accessible and more modern. Americans distort pronunciation, shorten words and entire phrases, do not use all tenses of the English language, and generally strive to communicate in a way that expresses thoughts as quickly as possible, rather than more beautifully. 
On the other hand, Americans use a very simplified grammar. Most often they use only three tenses, often replacing them with other more complex tenses, such as the Present Perfect and Past Perfect. In Great Britain, some liberties are also possible, but in competent literary speech, deviations from the rules are unacceptable.
In addition, the American version of the language is full of slang and idioms. In principle, there are enough of them in both the British and American versions. Only in the second case they are much shorter, modern and to the point. There is nothing wrong with slang words, as they make speech more vivid and lively. It’s just important to understand that some words in English have a slightly different meaning in its American version. 
The American language is different in that it has been influenced by other languages, in particular Spanish, French, and Irish. When communicating with an American acquaintance, you can hear Spanish tacos, adios from him. Borrowings, again, exist in any language, but in the states you can hear them more often.
British English
In contrast to the American, the British version is an indestructible base, using which you can master any interpretation of classical English - Canadian, Australian, Singaporean. Whatever may be said about the popularity of the American dialect, it was still born on the basis of the language of the United Kingdom. 
- If we are talking about important scientific or business negotiations, then literary English will be appreciated by all meeting participants.
- Yes, British English is more difficult, especially its grammatical side. But if you find the strength to master British grammar, then American grammar will seem surprisingly simple to you.
- Most linguists agree that unless you have a special reason to learn the American version of the language (for example, you are moving to the states), then it makes sense to give preference to the British variety. And on this basis, you will quickly increase the vocabulary of another dialect. Moreover, the classic pronunciation sounds much more pleasant; its soft, melodious accent differs for the better from the harsh dialect of the US residents.
Both versions of the language are 95 percent similar to each other. Therefore, in reality, there is not much difference which language you prefer. Having mastered any of them, you will be understood in Britain, Australia, the USA and other English-speaking countries. It is also worth noting that both the Americans and the British are very friendly towards those foreigners who are not lazy to learn their language (in any variation). Therefore, they will always listen to you and try to understand or correct you. The main thing is not to be afraid to immerse yourself in learning a foreign language, and an understanding of the differences between the English and American versions of the language will come with time.
Well, I’ll express my opinion about English languages. At school, and even at the Institute, we were taught the so-called British version of English - which I call for myself the “Russian version of English”. I say this because my school teachers had never been abroad and had never even met a living Englishman - and their pronunciation was appropriate, that is, Russian. At the institute, the teachers already spoke a couple of levels higher - but still - the Russian accent was present, this was felt after we had 3 American teachers in the 4th year - and there was something to compare with. This was felt in all respects - both in the tempo of speech, and in other intonation, and in the very pronunciation (of sounds). Those Americans who taught us were very easy to understand, they said on Standard American, after all, they are teachers, and not heroin dealers from Harlem. It was later in life that I met, for example, guys from Texas who were difficult to understand - they spoke through their noses, swallowed sounds, cut off endings. But nevertheless, I understood them too. that is, there is Standard American, and there is Southern American/Midwestern and a bunch of others. Taking for example how blacks talk is also a different story (I won’t go into detail about blacks; I judge them only from films).
--- “Are the differences between these variants of English significant?-- Between them is the Atlantic Ocean,” this opinion was expressed above. I won’t argue, I’ll express my opinion. I believe that the differences between Standard American and Standard British are not great - for me they come down to a couple of obvious differences
Br dance-Am dance/ Br girl- Am girl well, plus all these combinations when there is the letter “r” - or/ur/ir/ar. Everything else is trifles. What other differences can you tell me? Do Americans speak through their noses? - well, it happens - but not all. Differences in grammar are minor. According to? May the British understand you perfectly - it doesn’t matter what you say - pavement or sidewalk.
As for films, standard American predominates in our country. Most of the films are American - and there are practically no English ones.
Question - “Will it be normal to study both options mixed?” - Yes, it’s normal - because until you start working with native speakers or live for a long time somewhere in the UK, the accent will be appropriate, namely Standard Russian British :) - and not some kind of British or American
But what, for example, when taking the FCE, is it so important which version you speak?
Now, a few words about Standard British - this is the language of TV, films, radio (like the BBC), all sorts of phonetic courses and textbooks. I can safely say - 50% of the English (if not more) do not speak it. I've been working with them now for a year. I already wrote about my sad experience in another topic.
What can I say if they sometimes don’t understand each other. Those. a person living in London may have some problems understanding a person from Liverpool - the pronunciation varies not only from area to area, but even from city to city. Not to mention all the Scots
a couple of examples of their pronunciation - love, done, come - how will they be read?---correctly--through the usual “o”
money, Monday, one, rough, russian - all through the sound "u". Similar differences - mooore
This created some difficulties in understanding - Come with us, we "ll have some fun - Com visa us, vil "av som fun - at first I was lost, but now it’s normal, I’m used to it :)
As for my own pronunciation, I admit that sometimes I mix American and British into one heap. Having worked with the Americans (just a couple of weeks) - now I can no longer pronounce I can"t in the British manner - probably a psychological barrier :) The Americans laughed and called me you, li"l cunt :)
“Switching from British to American” -hmm- I wouldn’t be able to do that - and why? I'm not translating for Mr. Bush. And everyone understands me without any problems. To the question “how do you like my pronunciation?” They told me “pretty much authentic” - and on this I decided that I would not adapt to their pronunciation.
So which option is better - everyone chooses for himself --- while studying at the institute I really wanted to speak with an American accent - well, I just liked it better and that’s all - but in general there’s not much difference
Your application is accepted
Our manager will contact you soon
Close
There was an error sending
Send again
Students often ask the question what kind of English are taught to us by British textbooks and teachers in secondary schools. Many people believe that there are only two main varieties of English in the world: British English and American English, and that you should definitely study the British version. But how can you decide which dialect of the British language is the most correct?
The majesty and grandeur of the English language, it's the greatest possession we have.
The greatness and splendor of the English language is the greatest possession we have.
~ Professor Henry Higgins (George Bernard Shaw)
Variations of British English such as Oxford English, Standard English and others are dialects of the English language.
Dialects- These are language varieties that may differ in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. What version of English do Oxford and Cambridge publishers teach us? And which English is the standard language? We will talk about this in our article.
English language standards around the world
On the map you can see countries for which English is the first official language.
English is spoken by more than 500 million people. In terms of the number of speakers, it is second only to Chinese and Hindi. The widespread use of English and its prominence throughout the world is due to the extensive colonization of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the political influence and economic dominance of the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present day.
It is not surprising that the speech of speakers speaking publicly in English and living in different countries (USA, India, Australia and UK) differs significantly in pronunciation. Speakers also use different words and grammatical structures. Sometimes some dialects of the English language are difficult to understand even for native speakers who have been absorbing the vocabulary and grammar of their region since birth.
Major native dialects of English are often divided by linguists into three general categories: dialects of the British Isles (Great Britain), as well as North America (USA and Canada) and Australasia (India, Australia and New Zealand). Dialects can be associated not only with a place, but also with certain social groups.
In a particular English-speaking country, the dominant form of the language is considered the standard English for that country. The standard English languages of different countries differ from each other, and each of them can be considered a dialect when talking about English as a whole. Standard English is often associated with the more educated sections of society.
Dialects of British English
Received Pronunciation (RP) is a variant of the English language that you can see in the textbooks of the most famous university in the UK and when taking international exams.
British English (BrE, BE, en-GB) is the language spoken in the United Kingdom, which includes a huge variety of accents and dialects of English, differing from each other in regional pronunciation.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term "British English" as "the spoken or written language used in the British Isles, especially the forms of English most widely spoken in Great Britain"
Main differences between British English dialects
There are slight differences in formal written English in the UK (for example the words wee And little, meaning "small, small", can be used interchangeably, however, the former is more likely to be read in the writing of a person from Northern England or Northern Ireland (usually Scotland) than in the writing of a person from the southern parts of the country or Wales).
The forms of spoken English, on the other hand, are quite different from each other - more so than in other English-speaking countries. For this reason, it is quite difficult to apply the concept of “British English” to spoken language.
According to GLM, the English language now has 1 million 4,910 words. Moreover, according to statistics, a new word appears in the English language every 98 minutes (14.7 words per day).
The term "British English" also often used as a synonym for "Commonwealth English", which refers to the varieties of English used in the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations (except countries with their own unique dialect, such as Canada or Australia).
Other regional dialects of Great Britain
In addition to the above, linguists also distinguish several regional dialects: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, Scottish, Welsh and Irish. The full list of dialects can be found on Wikipedia; here is just a link to the list of variants of English spoken in England.
The biggest differences among dialects are in phonetics. Phonetic variations are sometimes found in almost every word, and it is they that primarily determine one or another variant or dialect of the English language. For example, love(Russian love) the English have “lav”, the Irish have “liv”, and the Scots have “luv”; day(Russian day) as part of the days of the week, Londoners pronounce it as “day”, and the Welsh pronounce it as “di”.
The Irish dialect has a smoother, “neutral” pronunciation, replacing “complex” sounds with simpler ones, for example, interdental in words that, think ordinary. The Irish, in addition, do not save sounds between consonants; they add neutral ones: for example, film sounds like "filem". Irish English is more musical, melodious - which comes from Celtic; Australian is characterized by a slower rhythm and an even intonation scale.
Language types of British English
A striking example of RP can be heard in the annual Christmas message of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. In her traditional ten-minute speech, the English language always sounds natural and majestic.
Within the British variant there are three language types:
- conservative English (conservative - the language of the royal family and parliament);
- accepted standard (received pronunciation, RP - media language, also called BBC English);
- advanced English (advanced - the language of youth).
Conservative English
Talking about conservative English, classic British literature most often comes to mind. In the era of romanticism (second half of the 18th century), works were written with feeling, using a large number of symbols. Writers, among whom it is worth noting Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Walter Scott, believed that literature should be rich in poetic images, it should be relaxed and accessible. A striking example of the Victorian novel is the work of two major prose writers of the 19th century, Charles Dickens and William Thackeray.
It was the pronunciation of the conservative version that was fundamental in the creation of the first and second editions of the Oxford English Dictionary. Conservative RP was spoken by members of the royal family, Winston Churchill, Vera Lynn, newscasters Pathé News and, until the 1960s, the BBC.
Received Pronunciation
Received Pronunciation (RP)- a variant of the English language with the status of a national standard, which has its roots in the language of the educated population of London and the south-east of England. Its basis is “correct English”.
It is this version of the language that the best private schools use ( Eton, Winchester, Harrow, Rugby) and universities ( Oxford, Cambridge) for teaching students and creating teaching aids. This is the classical, literary English that is taught, for example, in our foreign language language and which is the basis of any English course in linguistic schools for foreigners. Standard pronunciation is often referred to as Queen's English, or BBC English.
Advanced English (Advanced)
This is the most mobile, it is he who actively absorbs elements of other languages and cultures. Advanced English most susceptible to the general trend towards simplifying language. Changes occur primarily in vocabulary, one of the most mobile parts of language: new phenomena arise that need to be named, and old ones acquire new names. New vocabulary comes to the British youth language from other varieties of English, in particular American.
Which version of English should I learn?
Naturally, before learning a language, you need to decide what kind of English you need? You can answer this question by outlining your learning goal. For example, if you need , you need American English. If you are planning to travel to Canada, then you need to color your English with the flavor of this country.
Linguists and teachers from different countries agree that you need to start learning with correct English, that is, RP. With the help of correct basic English, you can understand other varieties of the language, dialects, language features, and also be able to master them. Thus, having mastered classical English well, you will not get lost anywhere, and if necessary, you can easily adapt and master any other modification of the language.
Almost everyone who started learning a foreign language was faced with the question - British English or American English, which language to learn? Some believe that it is necessary to know the classic British version, while others argue that the American version is not only modern, but also easy to learn. This question is especially relevant for beginners. In this article we will try to understand which option is more preferable and is suitable for you in a particular situation. Since there are certain differences in pronunciation and grammar.
Before you make your choice and start learning, you need to find out what advantages both languages have.
Before talking about the American language as an independent unit, we should remember how the division of languages occurred. After the discovery of America by Columbus, Europeans began to explore this continent. Representatives of different languages needed a single language that everyone could understand. The choice was made in favor of the language of Foggy Albion. Neither the Queen nor members of the intelligentsia visited the open mainland. Merchants, the bourgeoisie, as well as all those who needed to hide from persecution sought to get here. Naturally, in such a diverse society there could be no talk of prim British vocabulary with its complex grammar. In addition, Spaniards and French began to move to America, bringing something of their own to the refined vocabulary of the British. Thus, one of the most changing and simplified languages arose. Here is the answer to the question of what is the difference between these dialects.
Advantages of American English
Which one should you learn – British English or American English? Naturally, each of us is attracted by the lightness, modernity and accessibility of the American model. Just as Europeans many centuries ago, when moving to a new continent, sought to simplify their lives, so we are following their example. Bright idioms, slang - these are all the ways in which the American language differs from its progenitor - the prim English language. The genes of their ancestors are so strong among the inhabitants of America that they are still too lazy to understand the rules and nuances of speech. Abbreviated words and phrases, distortion of established expressions - everything that terrifies the natives of England.
So, the main advantages of the American model:
- simplified grammar. In the American version there are only three simple tenses - Past, Present, Future. For Americans, it costs nothing to use Past Simple instead of Past Perfect. Moreover, the latter can be replaced by Present Perfect. In England such liberties are unacceptable. These are very significant differences between dialects.
- slang. Helps make speech more lively and convey your thoughts to your interlocutor faster.
- idioms. Despite the fact that there are plenty of these parts of speech in the British language, American ones are distinguished by their brevity and conciseness. For example, start comparing some expressions - hit the books - learn a lot (American version).
- trends of other languages. If you carefully monitor the speech of an American, you will notice that suffixes and words from Spanish and French are used quite often. For example, tutor - tutor or adios - goodbye. And you must agree that the resulting mixture of several languages has its own charm, which we are happy to learn.
The advantages of classical English
First of all, British English is the foundation, the foundation. Knowing this option, you will easily learn any interpretation of it in the future, be it American or Singaporean.
Despite the fact that the American version is quite common in the world, classical English is more valuable in narrow circles. Believe me, at international conferences or business negotiations, British English is not only more preferable, but also more appropriate, which cannot be said about American pronunciation.
If you can master the difficult grammar of classical English, the American version will seem like heaven to you in the future. After all, everyone knows that constructions in the British language are quite difficult to learn.
It would seem that the British are more restrained in their emotions than the Americans, however, the British language has much more intonation than it seems at first glance. Their speech is more variable in tone, ranging from outdated expressions to up-to-date vocabulary.
The British version is being studied in Russian educational institutions. Therefore, if you know at least some basics, it will be easier for you to learn English for beginners and advanced in the future.
Comparing the pronunciation of the English and American versions, you will notice that the latter is harsher. The British language is viscous, soft, melodious and sounds more pleasant. Even US residents recognize the superior tonality of this version. And the British celebrate their victory.
As for literature, if you know the British language, you can read American authors without any problems. The exception is contemporary works, for example, by Chuck Palahniuk. In this case, readers need to know the slang. Therefore, you will have to start learning modern American expressions.
All dialects of English are very similar to each other. This applies to both vocabulary and grammar. That’s why, when you go on a trip to an English-speaking country, you don’t have to worry that the locals won’t understand you.
Varieties of British English
To date, three variations have emerged within the British model:
- The first option is aristocratic. It is spoken by representatives of the royal family and Parliament. Its use is appropriate at meetings and important receptions. This variety is called conservative.
- The second option is the language of society. It meets all accepted standards and is called received pronunciation (RP). You can also find something else - the BBC language. It is intended primarily for the press.
- The third variety is advanced. This is an advanced version spoken by young people. Advanced is mobile and constantly in dynamics. You can find a lot of slang, newfangled words and colorful idioms in it. In some ways, this variety is similar to the American model, since it has simplified grammar and an American sound.
English with a native speaker via Skype
In the age of computer technology, learning English with a native speaker using Skype is becoming increasingly popular. This is a good option that will help you quickly master all the intricacies of the language and “speak.” A native speaker, be it a resident of England or America, will teach you the current language and indicate how to pronounce this or that construction. With its help, you can master words and phrases from real life. This way, you can avoid memorizing outdated phrases that no one needs. Current vocabulary is the basis for learning not only English, but also any other language.
The British will help you master the grammar course without much difficulty. It will teach you how to construct sentences correctly, which will allow you to quickly understand the spoken dialect.
A tutor will help you get rid of your accent, teach you clear pronunciation, and tell you how to pronounce words correctly. With its help you can eradicate the admixture of Spanish or American language.
A native speaker will help you fully immerse yourself in the language environment and understand what English sounds like. Once you learn to understand the speech of a tutor, you will understand the speech of other native speakers without any obstacles.
American English lessons
The Voice of America radio program has developed a course with which you can gradually learn American English in a fairly short period of time. Its name is English USA - That's what they say in America. It is designed for two years of study and includes 104 lessons. There is no transcription here, but there is everyday vocabulary. The main goal of the training is practical mastery of the American version of English.
Each lesson offers dialogue. In it, students follow radio journalist Martin Lerner as he travels across America. He meets many Americans who come from different backgrounds and different professions. The journalist conducts a dialogue using everyday expressions.
Also present in the lessons is presenter Anna Filippova, who invites her students to take part in the conversation and also helps them practice using idiomatic constructions. The main focus of the lessons is the repetition of structures from colloquial speech, which will help to better master and understand the language.
Having looked at the merits of one and the other option, most likely, you have already decided which English you want to learn more. Here are some interesting facts:
- The similarity between American and classical English reaches up to 98%. In fact, it doesn't really matter which option you choose. Knowing one of the varieties, you will be able to communicate without barriers, both with residents of England and with residents of America or Australia.
- Native speakers note that a mixture of American and British languages is gaining great popularity all over the world. It has already been given a name - “international English”. It is an emotionally neutral language that contains a minimum number of idioms and slang. However, it is mainly used by residents of non-English speaking countries.
Teachers and philologists say that it is better to start learning English from classical British, gradually adding idioms and slang to it.
As can be seen from the above, no matter what option you choose, in any case it will be useful to you in the future. But first of all, focus on the goals you are pursuing. If you want to go to rainy England, learn British, and if you want to go to America, learn American. It would be a good idea to listen to audio recordings in both languages. Decide which speech you like best. One of the keys to successful learning is a love of language. If you studied the classical dialect at school or university, it would be more advisable to continue studying it.
