READ THIS!!! ( I need your help!)

Published on September 9, 2004 By wuxiaomao In Blogging

Next week I have to teach a bunch of middle schoolers about the differences between British Englsh and American English main focus being on pronunciation/ pronounciation.

Please help me compile a list of words that are spelt , pronounced differently, or have dual meainings on both sides of the ocean. I have already looked at some links but I thought I could get some from you guys that you use or know personally. Appreciate it much!!!

xie xie, xie xie!

Comments

wuxiaomao

on Sep 09, 2004

"British Englsh"

I also have to learn to spell, sorry about that.

Phoenixboi

on Sep 10, 2004

Hey Wuxiaomao
Just off the top of my head...

Colour = Color
Tomato = Tomatoe ( you guys say it differently to us)

Ive also noticed that here in Oz on the tele they are advertising some sort of new gimmick where kids have a story book and they point a pen at the words and the book says the words for them. What I have noticed that is really disturbing is that the words sound american.

Good luck with your lecture.

trina_p

on Sep 10, 2004

favourite - favorite
cheque - check
programme - program
resume
schedule (skedule/shedule)

Tuna - toona & tchuna
potato - potato (potarto)
either (eether) -- and either (eyether)
neither - neither

I'm thinking of the song "Let's call the whole thing off"

prawn - shrimp (

)
sausage or snag - weiner

okay I'm grasping at straws now

kingbee

on Sep 10, 2004

neighbour vs neighbor (you can pull a tonne vs ton of those 'ou' vs 'o' things)
most verbs that have a 'ize' form in america are spelled 'ise' in the uk
apologize vs apologise
tyre vs tire (the kind cars roll on)
carbuerator vs carburator

if you arent just looking for variant spellings like tonne/ton, there are a wealth of things that mean something entirely different in the uk vs the usa

chips vs fries
rubbers vs erasers (one that always cracks me up)
fag vs cig
boot vs trunk (auto)
windscreen vs windshield
roundabout vs interchange or traffic circle

hope those help

Manopeace

on Sep 10, 2004

Just keep in mind that most Americans speak English as if it were a foreign language

wuxiaomao

on Sep 10, 2004

Just keep in mind that most Americans speak English as if it were a foreign language

and will do!!

Thanx guys...keep em coming!

Anne Alogy

on Sep 10, 2004

The Loo vs. Bathroom
Glove Box vs. Glove Compartment
Petrol vs. Gasolene
Bird vs. Chick (girls, women, females)
Constable vs. Cop

Hope these help!

Noldane

on Sep 10, 2004

That's where they hide Asians ,they always tell me we are not understanding each other coz i speak British english and they speak American english .----when you say " hot " they wont understand but meaning the same you have to say "hut " .

wuxiaomao

on Sep 10, 2004

rubbers vs erasers (one that always cracks me up

me too!!

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 10, 2004

either (eether) -- and either (eyether)
neither - neither

actually, "either" and "neither" are not universally different. In America, both pronunciations are considered acceptable (although as rule, I find the higher educated often default to the English pronunciation)

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 10, 2004

roundabout vs interchange or traffic circle

actually, there are roundabouts in the US. I found this out when I had to go work a job assignment up in Green Bay when we still lived in Wisconsin. And, to my knowledge, they're all called "roundabouts" up there.

Interesting bit of trivia: the "our" endings ("colour, honour, favour") were changed during the Roosevelt administration because he felt they were awkward and hindering American children in learning how to read and write (and we talk about "the dumbing down of America" NOW).

xtine

on Sep 10, 2004

don't the Brits say laboratory and aluminum differently than us? And what about electrics (British?) vs electronics (American)

wuxiaomao

on Sep 10, 2004

don't the Brits say laboratory and aluminum differently than us?

They do actually! Sorry I have to keep this thread going at least just for this weekend, I really need this infor.

GarAmud

on Sep 12, 2004

just send this question to our dear Evan at : http://www.word-detective.com/

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