英式英语和美式英语的异同学士学位论文.doc

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毕业论文作者签名：
2013 年6 月4 日

成 绩：

江西科技师范大学
毕业设计（论文）

题目（中文）： 英式英语和美式英语的异同
（外文）： Similarities and Dissimilarities between British
English and American English
院（系）： 外国语学院
专 业： 英语
学生姓名： 许小珊
学 号： 20092448
指导教师： 万淑兰

2013年 6 月 4 日
Contents
1. Introduction……………………………………………………….1
2. The Definition of British English and American English……....2
2.1 British English………………………………………………...........2
2.2 American English……………………………………………..........2
3. Similarities between British English and American English…..2
3.1 Similarities in Origin………………………………………………2
3.2 Similarities in Principle…………………………………………....3
4. Dissimilarities between British English and American English.3
4.1 Dissimilarities in Pronunciation…………………………………..4
4.1.1 Dissimilarities in Vowels…………………………………………...4
4.1.2 Dissimilarities in Consonants……………………………………...5
4.1.3 Dissimilarities in Pronunciation of the Same Word……………...6
4.1.4 Dissimilarities in Intonation……………………………………….6
4.2 Dissimilarities in Spelling…………………………………………6
4.3 Dissimilarities in Vocabulary……………………………………..8
4.4 Dissimilarities in Grammar………………………………………9
4.4.1 Dissimilarities in Certain Verbs………………………………….10
4.4.2 Dissimilarities in Nouns…………………………………………..11
4.4.3 Dissimilarities in Articles…………………………………………11
4.4.4 Dissimilarities in Pronouns……………………………………….12
4.4.5 Dissimilarities in Prepositions……………………………………12
4.4.6 Dissimilarities in Tense……………………………………………13
4.4.7 Dissimilarities in Subjunctive Mood………………………….….13
4.4.8 Dissimilarities in Syntax…………………………………………..13
5. Conclusion……………………………………………………......14
5.1 Importance of Knowing Their Similarities and Dissimilarities…14
5.2 Attitudes toward Their Similarities and Dissimilarities………....14
Bibliography…………………………………………………...…...15

Similarities and Dissimilarities between British English and American English

Abstract: As a world language, English is one of the working languages of the United Nations, and it is also regarded as an international language. British English and American English are two major varieties of English. Generally speaking, these two languages are about the same. Because of the influence of politics, economy, geography, history, culture and many other factors, there are differences between British English and American English. This paper will first discuss the similarities between British English and American English in origin and principle levels, and then will mainly focus on the dissimilarities between them in such levels as pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar.
Key words: British English; American English; similarities; dissimilarities

1. Introduction
It is well known that English is considered as the most common language which is frequently used all over the world. With the development of economic globalization, the importance of English has become increasingly prominent. Nowadays English is used as a tool in international exchange; it is one of the working languages in the United Nations. Since English is often described as the first global language, it has become a requirement in a number of fields, occupations and professions. As a consequence, everyone is involved in the wave of learning English.
While, because of the influence of geography, history, culture and social customs, English has had a tendency to be divided into two varieties: one is called British English (BrE), which is used in the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and West Indies; the other is called American English (AmE), which is used mainly in the United States and Canada. 陈玢, 陈立.英式英语和美式英语的差异研究[J].科技信息, 2002, (5): 109.
British English and American English are two major varieties of English in the world. However, there is no standard to measure which is better; actually they belong to the same language and have many similarities in origin and principle levels. Besides, British English and American English also have great dissimilarities in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar. By knowing the similarities and dissimilarities between them, English learners will be familiar with the culture and characteristics of British English and American English, as well as broaden their horizon.

2. The Definition of British English and American English
2.1 British English
According to the Wikipedia, British English (BrE) is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects used within the United Kingdom. English is a West Germanic language originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects, and it was first brought to Britain by Germanic settlers. Generally speaking, the history of the English language can be divided into three periods: the first period is from 450 to 1150 which is also called the Old English or Anglo-Saxon period; the second period from 1150 to 1500 which is known as the Middle English period; the third period from 1500 to the present day which is also called the Modern English period. Through these periods British English has gradually been enriched and developed, and it becomes the world wide language after the Industrial Revolution from 18th to 19th.
2.2 American English
According to the Wikipedia, American English (AmE) is the form of English used in the United States. It includes all English dialects used within the United States. The use of English in the United States is a result of English colonization. During the 17th century, the first group of English-speaking settlers arrived in North America, and then numerous immigrants came here in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since then, American English has been formed gradually and later be influenced by the languages of West Africa, the Native American population, German, Irish, Spanish, and so on. American English has its own unique characteristics for its splendid culture and its creative thoughts as well as its willing to absorb the essence of other languages.

3. Similarities between British English and American English
3.1 Similarities in Origin
Metaphorically, language is regarded as a mirror of society, through which we can understand social activities of a certain society better. 胡壮麟, 姜望琪.语言学教程[M].北京:北京大学出版社, 2008.34.
It has become acceptable for everyone to think that there exists a close relationship between language and culture. Language is a necessary carrier of culture. Culture represents language in an effective way of using. Besides, language is the representation of the history and it is a good record for different countries. However, language is continuously changing with the development of the world.
English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England. English belongs to the German tribes—the Angeles, the Saxons, the Jutes, the Danes, etc. They used to live in the northern part of Europe, but later on moved to the British Isles and became the earliest inhabitants of England. 陈静敏.英式英语与美式英语[J].外语研究, 1991, (2): 23.

About three or four centuries ago, British immigrants brought English to a new colony. Under the influence of new society and environment, it has become different forms after the development in hundreds of years. American English originated from the British English. The English language was brought to North America by colonists from England since 1607. During that time, large amount of people went there to set their homes. At that time they had already taken the English of Elizabethan period to America, which became the starting point of American English.
3.2 Similarities in Principle
Generally speaking, every language has its own characteristics and its own rules. These may include phonetics, intonation, grammar, and vocabulary. British English and American English are two major varieties of English; there is no big difference between them in these aspects. Indeed, the pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary of them are approximately alike. Besides, there is no essential difference between British English and American English in intonation. Both of them use different intonation to transfer different information and express different intentions. They usually have three basic tones, namely rising tone, falling tone, and level tone. So whether you use British English or American English, there is no difficulty in communicating with each other.

4. Dissimilarities between British English and American English
Although British English and American English both belong to English, the main parts of them are about the same, there exist plenty of dissimilarities in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar. In order to learn English well and be able to distinguish British English and American English, it is better to understand those differences. What’s more, by knowing dissimilarities will help avoid some misunderstandings and embarrassing times.
4.1 Dissimilarities in Pronunciation
As everyone knows, human beings are capable of making all kinds of sounds, but only some of these sounds can be used in daily communication. Every language has its own rules or laws in pronunciation that is why there exist numerous kinds of language in the world like Chinese, Japanese, French, and German etc. British English and American English have many differences as follows:
4.1.1 Dissimilarities in Vowels
In linguistics, Received Pronunciation (RP) which is also called BBC English, Oxford English, or King’s / Queen’s English, and it is spoken by the upper-middle and upper classes throughout the England. General American (GA) which is referred to the widely accepted accent used by most educated speakers in the USA. 胡壮麟, 姜望琪.语言学教程[M].北京:北京大学出版社, 2008.34.
There are many differences between RP and GA in vowels, the details are as follows:
1) In British English “a” is pronounced [a:] before [θ], [s], [m], [n], etc. while [æ] in American English. For example:

British English
American English
[a:]
[æ]
ask
[a:sk]
[æsk]
answer
[´a:nsə]
[´ænsə]
bath
[ba:θ]
[bæθ]
dance
[da:ns]
[dæns]
2) [ɒ] in British English, while [α] in American English, for example:

British English
American English
[ɒ]
[α]
not
[nɒt]
[nαt]
clock
[klɒk]
[klαk]
shop
[ʃɒp]
[ʃαp]
3) [ju:] in British English, while [u] in American English, for example:

British English
American English
[ju:]
[u]
duty
[ju:]
[u]
student
[´stju:d(ə)nt]
[´studnt]
Tuesday
[´tju:zdei]
[´tuzdei]
news
[nju:z]
[nuz]
4) [i] or [e] in British English, while [ε] in American English, for example:

British English
American English
[i]
[ε]
except
[ik´sept; ek-]
[ik´sεpt]
experiment
[ik´sperim(ə)nt; ek-]
[εk´spεrimεnt]
expectation
[ekspek´teiʃ(ə)n]
[εkspεk´teʃ(ə)n]
4.1.2 Dissimilarities in Consonants
1) In British English “wh” is pronounced [w], while in American English is [hw], examples are as follows:

British English
American English
[w]
[hw]
what
[wɒt]
[hwαt]
when
[wen]
[hwen]
which
[witʃ]
[hwitʃ]
2) The letter “r” is pronounced when it is at the beginning of the vowels or before the vowels, while in American English “r” is pronounced wherever it appears. For example:

British English
American English
star
[sta:]
[star]
car
[ka:]
[kar]
3) In American English when the letter “t” is appeared between two vowels or between one vowel and “l”, it will be voiced closely to [d], while British English remains the same. Those words like “water, later, writer…”.
4.1.3 Dissimilarities in Pronunciation of the Same Word
It can be obviously found that British English and American English have different pronunciations even if in the same word. Examples are as follows:

British English
American English
tomato
[tə´ma:təu]
[tə´metəu]
clerk
[kla:k]
[klə:rk]
schedule
[´skedзju:l]
[´skεdзul]
vase
[va:z]
[veis]; [veiz]
4.1.4 Dissimilarities in Intonation
Generally speaking, British people speak at fast pace with rich tone so that some words may be not pronounced clearly. Being compared with British people, American people are relatively slow and always have clear enunciation with small fluctuation. In intonation it is generally agreed that American English is flatter than British English. 余未霞.英式英语与美式英语的简要研究[J].海外英语, 2011, (5): 325.
In other words, this means that British intonation is singsong while American intonation tends to be flat and monotonous.
4.2 Dissimilarities in Spelling
In the process of English learning, the spelling of words is essential and inevitable. There are two major dissimilarities between British English and American English in spelling: one is the difference in some individual letters; the other is the simpler spelling form in American English. It can be summed up as follows:
1) The omission of silent letters “-ue” in American spelling, such as“目录”catalogue (BrE) & catalog (AmE), “对话”dialogue (BrE) & dialog (AmE), “序言”prologue (BrE) & prolog (AmE).
2) The omission of silent letters “u” in American spelling, such as“颜色” colour (BrE) & color (AmE),“喜爱”favourite (BrE) & favorite (AmE),“举止、行为”behaviour (BrE) & behavior (AmE), “劳动”labour (BrE) & labor (AmE).
3) In British spelling, words end with “-re”, while “-er” in American spelling, such as
British English----“-re”
American English----“-er”
centre
center
fibre
fiber
kilometre
kilometer
theatre
theater
4) Some words end with “-se” in British English, while “-ze” in American English, such as
British English---“se”
American English---“ze”
analyse
analyze
memorise
memorize
organise
organize
civilise
civilize
recognise
recognize
5) Some words end with “-ence” in British English, “-ense” in American English, such as“防御”defence (BrE) & defense (AmE),“执照”licence (BrE) & license (AmE),“犯法行为”offence (BrE) & offense (AmE).
6) In American English, if the suffix “-l” is unstressed syllable, it is usually don’t need double write, while British English “-l” need double write. For example: traveling(AmE) & travelling(BrE), leveling(AmE)& levelling(BrE), quarreler(AmE) &quarreller(BrE), marveled (AmE) & marvelled(BrE).
7) The suffix “-gramme” is used in British English while “-gram” in American English.
BrE: centigramme, decigramme, milligramme
AmE: centigram, decigram, milligram
8) “-xion” in British English while “-ction” in American English. Examples: “关系”connextion (BrE) & connection (AmE), “肤色”complexion (BrE) & complection (AmE), “反映”reflexion (BrE) & reflection (AmE).
4.3 D