Over 4 centuries, Portuguese developed in two substantially different dialects in Portugal and Brazil. However, unlike what happened with Portuguese, the differences between the British and North American dialects are less significant.
The English language shows radical differences, which include issues of accent, pronunciation and slight differences in vocabulary, spelling and grammar.
Main difference between British and American English
The main difference ends up being the greater predominance of that practiced in the United States, and this can be explained by the greater presence of the North American media around the world, whether in films, books, music and a whole series of cultural manifestations.
This is the reverse of what was recorded until the end of the 19th century, when England held the position of world superpower and the spread of its culture predominated around the world.
However, this does not mean that there is a more correct version than the other. The differences are often semantic. They derive from the context and history of a particular term for its use, as in the case of the Subway: Subway, for the Americans, Underground and Tube for the British. This is more common in colloquial discourse, with its slang and jargon, than in the educated norm. Such a peculiarity is more common in a conversation, than when reading a newspaper.
Grammatical differences from British and American English
There is a slight difference between American and British grammar. Sometimes, this difference may seem imperceptible in a conversation, but for those who are used to reading in Portuguese and English, such changes can cause some awkwardness or difficulty. So it is good to have a sense of some of these grammatical differences.
There are some differences in the use of the present perfect and the possessive. As usual, the British use the perfect gift with a desire to express actions that have occurred recently. For example, if an American says, "I ate so much," which means "I ate a lot," a Brit would probably say, "I've eaten too much".
Another example is found in the use of the possessive. The British generally use “have got”, whereas Americans suppress “got” in the sentences. If you were to ask an American if he has a car, you could say, "Do you have a car?" However, if you asked the same question to a Brit, you should say: “Have you got a car?”.
It is important to learn the various possibilities that the language has, as this helps to improve the mastery of the language.
Differences in British English and American English vocabulary
The vocabulary is quite similar, but there are some terms that help to differentiate the two. Little is changed, the main changes are:
- - The exchange of the r: American (Center and meter) and British (center and meter);
- - The use of u: American (color) and British (color);
- - The word rubber: American (eraser) and British (rubber);
- - The ending –ize (used in American English, example: realize) and –ise (British English, example: realize).
Below I will leave a list of popular words that are different in British English and North American English. I hope you like the examples below:
Responsive Table: Roll the table sideways with your finger <<
| American English | British English | Portuguese |
| airplane | aeroplane | avião |
| aluminum | aluminium | alumínio |
| apartment | flat | apartamento |
| apartment building | block of flats | edifício de apartamentos |
| appointment book | diary | agenda |
| area code | dialing code | código de acesso DDD |
| brownnoser, ass-kisser | arse-licker | suck |
| candy | sweets | balas |
| cell phone | mobile phone | telefone celular |
| checking account | current account | conta corrente |
| closet | wardrobe | armário |
| convertible | convertible | conversível |
| cookie | biscuit | biscoito, doce |
| cot | camp bed | cama de campanha |
| dessert | pudding, dessert | sobremesa |
| diaper | nappy | fralda |
| dirt road | unpaved road | estrada de chão |
| doctor’s office | surgery | consultório |
| downtown | city centre, town centre | centro (de uma cidade) |
| driver’s license | driving-licence | carteira de habilitação |
| drugstore | chemist’s | farmácia |
| eggplant | aubergine | beringela |
| elevator | lift | elevador |
| engine hood | bonnet | capô do motor |
| eraser | rubber | borracha de apagar |
| faculty | academic staff | corpo docente |
| fall | autumn | outono |
| fire department | fire brigade | bombeiros |
| flashlight | torch | lanterna |
| for rent | to let | aluga-se |
| freeway | motorway | auto-estrada |
| french fries | chips | batas fritas (formato longo) |
| front desk | reception | recepção |
| garbage | litter, rubbish | lixo |
| garbage can | bin | lata de lixo |
| garbage collector | dustbin man | lixeiro |
| garbage truck | dustbin lorry | caminhão de lixo |
| gas (gasoline) | petrol | gasolina |
| graduate studies | postgraduate course | pós-graduação |
| guy | bloke, guy | cara (pessoa, rapaz) |
| kerosene | paraffin | querosene |
| labor union | trade union | sindicato |
| lavatory/bathroom | toilet | banheiro |
| lawyer | solicitor, barrister | advogado |
| license plate | number plate | placa de carro |
| line | queue | fila |
| mailman | postman | carteiro |
| math | maths | mathematics |
| mechanical pencil | propelling pencil | lapiseira |
| mom, mommy | mum, mummy | mamãe |
| motor home | caravan | auto-casa |
| movie theater | cinema | cinema |
| muffler | silencer | silenciador, surdina |
| national holiday | bank holiday | feriado nacional |
| one-way ticket | single ticket | passagem só de ida |
| oven | cooker | forno |
| overpass | flyover | viaduto |
| pacifier | dummy | chupeta |
| pants | trousers | calças |
| parking lot | car park | estacionamento |
| period | full stop | ponto (final de frase) |
| pop, soda | soft drink, pop, fizzy drink | refrigerante |
| potato chips | crisps | batas fritas (em fatias finas) |
| principal | head teacher, headmaster | diretor (de escola) |
| quotation marks | speech marks | aspas |
| resume | curriculum vitae | currículo |
| ride | lift | carona |
| roommate | flatmate | colega de quarto ou apartamento |
| scotch tape | sellotape | fita adesiva |
| shoulder | hard shoulder | acostamento (de estrada) |
| sidewalk | pavement, footpath | calçada |
| soccer | football | soccer |
| stove | cooker | fogão |
| subway | underground, tube | metrô |
| tire | tyre | pneu |
| truck | lorry | caminhão |
| trunk | boot | porta-malas |
| undergraduate school | degree | curso de graduação |
| zipcode | postcode | Zip code |
Differences in pronunciation British English and American English
Knowing how to differentiate the pronunciation of British and American English is very important, as it helps you understand movies, books and series more easily. In addition to facilitating trips abroad. In British English, the rhythm is different, the pronunciation is more clipped and emphatic. The American has a slower pronunciation.
Example: In American English, the “t” is pronounced as a “d” (the word “better” sounds like a “béder”, whereas the British pronounce it as “t”).
Even with some differences, it is possible to identify them gradually and naturally, as the student progresses in his studies.
Differences in the spelling of American English and British English
To conclude the article, we will show that there are also differences in the spelling of some words. Differences that may go unnoticed by speakers and readers. The list below explains well what I mean. If you liked it, share the article with friends and leave your comments.
Responsive Table: Roll the table sideways with your finger <<
| Inglês Americano | Inglês Britânico |
|---|---|
| analyze | analyse |
| apologize | apologise |
| catalog | catalogue |
| center | centre |
| color | colour |
| curb | kerb |
| defense | defence |
| dialog | dialogue |
| fiber | fibre |
| fulfill | fulfil |
| honor | honour |
| inflection | inflexion |
| jewelry | jewellry |
| labor | labour |
| license | licence |
| liter | litre |
| odor | odour |
| offense | offence |
| pajamas | pyjamas |
| program | programme |
| realize | realise |
| skeptical | sceptical |
| skillful | skilful |
| specialty | speciality |
| traveler | traveller |
| woolen | woollen |
