LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the passage below then answer the questions being asked.

International English

Language, as a reflection of cultural diversity, demonstrates intriguing variations between British English and American English.

Let's begin with a common culinary staple: fried potatoes. In the United Kingdom, they are referred to as chips, often enjoyed alongside fish in local pubs. Conversely, in the United States, they are known as fries, serving as a popular accompaniment to a juicy burger.

Moving to terminology related to transportation, an interesting discrepancy arises. In British English, the designated storage compartment in a car is amusingly called the boot, while in American English, it is commonly referred to as the trunk.

Further exploring vocabulary disparities, we encounter differences in clothing terminology. In the UK, a knitted garment worn for warmth during colder seasons is known as a jumper, whereas in the US, it is referred to as a sweater.

These examples serve to illustrate the linguistic divergences between British English and American English, contributing to the distinctiveness of each culture's language.

Therefore, whether one is relishing fish and chips or embracing the comfort of a cozy sweater, it is essential to appreciate and recognize the unique expressions that define each English-speaking culture.

QUESTIONS:

1. How does language reflect cultural diversity, according to the passage?

2. In the UK, what is a knitted garment worn for warmth during colder seasons called?

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

International English

Variation in English

🔺1. There are thousands of different varieties of English. Which one you use depends on who and where you are, what your first language is, your job, your point in communicating. One variety is not in itself better or worse than another. All varieties ( including all the samples of English above ) are good for some purposes and bad for others.

🔺2. Examples of variation include:

present continuous instead of present simple:

Example:

You must be having a lot of friends...( instead of..."have...")

double negatives:

Example:

If you don't do nothing but farm work,... ( instead of.. "don't do anything")

different uses of linking words:

Example:

He was willing to stay surprised us all. ( instead of "The fact that he was willing to stay...")

British American and International English

🔺3. Two important varieties of English are British English and American English. The differences between them do not usually cause misunderstandings. In international English, you can mix the two.

In British English, some nouns ( e.g. team, committee, band, army, government, company) and names of companies and organizations can be singular or plural.
In American English, the verb is often singular, but there is some flexibility.

Example:

The team was / were happy with its / their performance. ( British English )
The team was happy with its/ their performance. ( American English )

Verbs which can be irregular in British but regular in American English include:

Example:

learn ➡ learnt ➡ leanrt ➡ (American English: learned)
smell ➡ smelt ➡ smelt ➡ (American English: smelled)
burn ➡ burnt ➡ burnt ➡ (American English: burned)

British English uses get ➡ got ➡ got;
American English usually uses get ➡ got ➡ gotten.
In American English, have got ( for possession or obligation ) is less common than in British English.
In International English, have is more common.

Example:

British English: I've got to go now.
American English: I have to go now.

In American English, it is becoming common to use the past simple with yet, already and just.
In British English, we usually use the present simple. Both are acceptable in International English.

Example:

A: Did you finish yet? / Have you finished yet?

B: No. I ('ve ) just started.

In American English, it is normal to use an infinitive without "to" after verbs like "suggest," "recommend," and "demand."
In British English, we often use should or another structure. Both are acceptable in International English.

Example:

American English: I suggest that he be thanked.
British English: I suggest that he should be thanked. OR I suggest thanking him.

🔺 4. Differences in vocabulary are much bigger and more likely to cause misunderstandings. In general, American vocabulary is more widely understood.

Here is a list of British English items that are not widely used outside the UK, together with their more generally understood equivalents.


biscuit : cookie	lorry : truck
cheers : thanks / goodbye	pram : stroller
fancy : want	sweets : candy
fortnight : two weeks	queue : line

🔺5. Differences in spelling generally do not cause misunderstandings. American spellings ( especially -ize ) are becoming popular in many other varieties of English, including British English.

British English	American English
organise / organize	organize
colour, behaviour	color, behavior
theatre, centre	theater, center

Using clearer grammar to help others to understand

🔺6. In International communication, we may need to be careful about how we express ourselves so that other people can understand us more easily. This means using cleared ( sometimes slightly longer ) grammatical forms.

Use relative pronouns ( e.g. that ) in relative clauses:

Example:

Here's an example of language that people struggle with.( instead of "Here's an example of language people struggle with.")

Split a sentence with a relative clause into two sentences:

Example:

People sometimes struggle with language. Here's an example.

Use full clauses instead of participle clauses:

Example:

Before you study abroad, learn the language. ( instead of" Before studying abroad, learn the language.")

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

A. Direction: These sentences are in British English. Identfy the words used that makes it British and provide it's counterpart word in American English.

Example:

The trailer on each lorry was filled with logs to carry to the buyer.

lorry ➡ truck

Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over biscuit pieces and toss until evenly coated.
Frustrated the lift was out of order, everyone was left with no other choice but to take the stairs
She fritters away all her money on clothes and trips to the cinema.
The average rent for a two-bedroom flat in this city is probably about $700 a month now.

Part I

A. Direction: Read the statements carefully and tell whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE. If the statement is FALSE, provide an explanation.

Differences in spelling between British English and American English can cause misunderstandings.
In international communication, using clearer grammar forms may require slightly longer sentences.
There are thousands of different varieties of ENglish, and one variety is not inherently better or worse than another.
In international English, using the present simple tense with words like "yet," "already," and "just" is more common than using the past simple tense.