American words are generally simpler than English words. In recent years, American English has become more and more simplified, which fully embodies the modern characteristics of American life and work. Most of these simplified words come from English, and a large number of words remain unchanged in English. After entering American English, these words gradually become simpler and more convenient to use. For example, the more common word colour is spelled color in American English, and a "U" letter is missing; Refrigerator is a refrigerator in American English, which is much simpler than the original word. The simplification of American words is the main manifestation of spelling differences between American English and English.
2. Differences between American English and English in the expression of dates and numbers.
In terms of dates, Britain and the United States have different expressions. Take the sun first, then the moon, which is British; On the other hand, the American style records the month first and then the date. As1March 2, 996 wrote:
March 2, 1996 (UK)
March 2, 1996 (USA)
In American writing, 1ST, 2nd and 3rd are not used. Because the written expression of the date is different, the pronunciation is different. For example, April 20 1987, written in Britain as 20 April 20, 1987, pronounced as April 20, 1987; The American expression is1April 20th, 987, and the pronunciation is1April 20th, 987. Similarly, when all dates are expressed in numbers, there are differences between Britain and the United States. 1May 6, 998 should be written as 6/5/98 for English and 5/6/98 for American; 0 1.08. 1998 is British 1998 August 1, but according to American expression, it is 1998 June 5438+0, American1998 August/kloc-.
There are also differences in digital oral expression between the two countries. $ 175 (US$ 175) is pronounced as a (1) married seven or five dollars in English and as a (1) married seven or five dollars in the United States, often omitting and; When using the same number to represent numbers continuously, English is used to using double or triple, but Americans generally don't. For example, the telephone number 320 1 12 is pronounced as three two zero, double one two, and American is pronounced as three one two two. 999 234 is pronounced as triple nine two three four in English and nine nine nine two three four in America, but Americans also pronounce three consecutive identical numbers as three plus this number, for example, 999 is pronounced as three nines.
3. Differences in letters between American English and English.
Business or business English letters refer to communications used in transactions. In America, business writing is often used, including letters, telegrams, telephones, telex, reports, postcards and so on.
There are some differences in letter styles between Britain and the United States, such as letterhead and address, letter format, wording and closing etiquette. Generally speaking, English letters are conservative. Many British people like to use old-fashioned letters with formal and rigid words, while American letters are very lively, energetic and simple in format. Therefore, when we write to Britain or its old colonial countries, we should use standard English. If this letter is addressed to the United States or its areas of influence, we should use American English. Of course, the English language and culture have also changed in recent years, but on the whole, the differences between them are obvious.
Business English letters are generally required to be printed neatly by typewriter or computer, and the lines on the left are vertical at the beginning, which is called vertical or square, which is commonly used in the United States. The indentation of the first word in each paragraph is called indentation or indentation. This format is very common in Britain. The vertical position and signature are in the left column. This form has been widely adopted by American companies that attach great importance to work efficiency.
In a formal business English letter, the name and address of the receiving company or the full name, position and address of the recipient should be written above the address, which is called the internal address. There are also vertical and indented ways to write addresses in letters. Vertical and American lines are juxtaposed, while indentation or British style takes them back in turn.
Pronunciation: differences in the pronunciation of letters. The pronunciation of the same word is different in American English and British English. For example, in British English, the pronunciation is ['din? Sti], American English pronunciation is ['dain? STI]； Well, the English sound is ['ai? ], the American sound is ['i:? ].
The difference between stressed syllables. Even if the pronunciation of each letter of the same word is the same, there will be pronunciation differences between the two because of different stressed syllables, such as: dictation English pronunciation is [dik'teit], with stress in the middle; The American sound is ['dikteit], with the stress in the front.
The above is a more professional and abstract statement. From my personal experience in watching American and English dramas, the differences in pronunciation between them are mainly as follows: American English is softer and gentler; British English, on the other hand, is rigid and the differences between words are obvious. Symbolically, the pronunciation of American English is like a wavy line "~ ~", which moves slowly; The pronunciation of British English is more like a broken line "∧∧∧∧∧", with obvious ups and downs. From the mouth shape, the difference between them is similar to the above state: the mouth opening and closing range of people with beautiful voice is moderate, and the left and right range is large, showing a ">" shape; However, when speaking British English, the speaker will show a "○" state from time to time, and the distance between the upper lip and the lower lip is large. If you are interested, you can observe it and see if it is like this.