Mind Your Language!

by Leo Knowles

Oscar Wilde famously declared that Britain and America were two nations divided by a common language. Actually he didn't quite say that but he should have done, which is why he is always misquoted.

First there are the differences in spelling; some of them familiar, others less so. 

For example, while American films are in color, British audiences watch them in colour. On Broadway you go to the theater, but in London's West End to the theatre. Americans measure in meters, the British in metres. American center is British centre. And so on.

As a British writer I have to keep these differences constantly in mind when writing for US publications. On finishing the article I always check carefully to make sure that I have paid due honor - not honour - to American usage. In this I fulfill - not fulfil - the editor's requirements. 

Of course I don't imagine that an American editor would be mortally offended if a British spelling did slip through, but a true professional will not allow that to happen. American writers hoping to sell to Britain need to take similar care.

So, let us look at some other spelling differences:

A sick American may be hospitalized but he is never hospitalised, which is the more common British form.

Similarly, civilized behaviour is more likely to be civilised in Britain. 

An American writer eagerly awaits a check, while his fellow-scribe across the Pond longs for a cheque. 

An American's mustache becomes a moustache in Britain.

American vehicles have tires; in the UK they are tyres. 

In the US you step off the curb to cross the road; in Britain it's the kerb.

Where Americans wear jewelry, the British have jewellery.

American craftsmen are skillful, British craftsmen skilful.

An article in a US magazine may be libelous; in Britain it is libellous.

In America you take offense, in Britain offence. As you would expect, American defense is British defence. 

Apart from spelling, there are many other differences between American English and British English. Master these, and you will improve your chances of selling your work across the Atlantic. Here are some of notable examples:

Americans leave well enough alone, the British simply leave well alone. 

An American looks out the window, a Briton out of the window.

An American businessman plays golf on weekends, while his British counterpart plays at weekends.

Americans play checkers; the British play draughts.

In the US students go to the university; in Britain they simply go to university. Likewise, in the US a patient is in the hospital; in Britain he's in hospital.

American "I just arrived" translates as "I have just arrived" and "I just ate" as "I have just eaten". Most completed actions carry similar differences of expression. This also applies when an anticipated action remains uncompleted: for example, I didn't speak to him yet becomes I haven't spoken to him yet. 

Where American women wear panties or underpants, their British sisters wear knickers or pants. In Britain underpants are for men. An American garter belt is a British suspender belt. 

American men keep their pants up with suspenders; the British male keeps his trousers up with braces.

Where American babies wear diapers, British infants wear nappies.

While Americans work from Monday through Friday, the British toil from Monday to Friday.

In the US the trees turn red and gold in the fall; in Britain this happens in autumn.

A budding American writer will be told by his employer not to pen his masterpiece "on my time"; a British employer will say "in my time".

In the US you invite friends to "come lunch with us" but not in Britain, where the invitation will be "come and have lunch with us", or simply "come to lunch".

After detecting a gatecrasher at his party, an American will report later:

"I asked that he leave." In Britain, the expression is "I asked him to leave."

Where an American mails a letter, a Briton is more likely to post his. 

Americans takes their chances, while the British take their chance. 

In the US you go see; in Britain you go and see.

Ask the time of an American and he might tell you that it is twenty of four or perhaps a quarter after eight. The British versions are twenty past four and quarter past eight. 

In the US you might start April lst; in the UK you would start on April 1st.

A half hour in the US becomes half an hour in Britain.

An American automobile becomes a car in Britain.

In the US you go get the car; in Britain you go and get it.

American gas is British petrol.

In the US you drive under the overpass; in Britain it's the flyover.

While the American farmer plows his fields, the British farmer ploughs his.

Of course this list is by no means complete, nor is it set in stone. Many Americanisms have become widely accepted in Britain and the process is ongoing. Recently a retired British judge called out "Hi there!" when I waved to him from the other side of the road. Such a greeting from a man of his background would have been unthinkable a generation ago.

If you would like to read more about transatlantic language difference, I can warmly recommend The Oxford Companion to the English Language (Oxford University Press) and The English Language, by David Crystal (Penguin Books).

About the Author

Over the past 40 years Leo Knowles has written numerous articles for publications in Britain and the US. The author of six books, he has also written extensively for radio and TV. He is the author of the ebook Write Articles That Sell! available on
http://www.booklocker.com/bookpages/leoknowles01.html

 

Copyright © 2000 Leo Knowles

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