“We (the British and Americans) are two countries separated by a common language”, asserted world-renowned playwright, G.B Shaw and rightly so.
The diversity prevailing in both spoken and written English further corroborates the difference between American and British English.
English originated in England in the 10th century A.D and was introduced in America in the 17th century by the British Empire. British Colonialists introduced English Language in other colonies as well which adopted the language with little modifications. Americans, however (in the real sense of the word) Americanized English completely.
The American spellings are different from their British counterparts. Also usage of Grammar and Syntax structure varies both the countries.
Let us look at the difference in spellings between American and British English:
-or v/s -our
American British
color colour
favorite favourite
honor honour
endeavor endeavour
favor favour
humor humour
-ze v/s -se
American British
analyze analyse
criticize criticise
memorize memorise
recognize recognise
realize realise
*Surprise surprisingly remains Surprise in American English. Overgeneralizing the rule may lead to some errors.
-ll v/s l
American British
enrollment enrolment
skillful skilful
fulfill fulfil
-er v/s -re
American British
center centre
meter metre
theater theatre
-og v/s -ogue
American British
analog analogue
catalog catalogue
dialog dialogue
-e v/s -oe or -ae
American British
encyclopedia encyclopaedia
maneuver manoeuver
medieval mediaeval
-ck or k v/s que
American British
bank banque
check cheque
checker chequer
-dg v/s -dge (or -g v/s -gu)
American British
aging ageing
argument arguement
judgment judgement
*Management does not become Managment in American, so take care.
-ense v/s -ence
American British
defense defence
license licence
Offense Offence
Others
American British
Jewelry Jewellery
pajamas pyjamas
plow plough
program programme
tire tyre
Base Word American British
counsel counseling counselling
equal equaling equalling
model modeling modelling
quarrel quarreling quarrelling
signal signaling signalling
travel traveling travelling
*Exceptions
excel excelling excelling
propel propelling propelling
The above list of differences is not all inclusive but will definitely come in handy!
Using correct spellings in your copy will reflect very well on your merit as a copywriter especially when the content you are working on is country specific and sensitive.
So spell correctly and keep up the Quality!
Tags: american english, british english, copywriting, English
