American language: features of origin and use

When we face the challenge of learning languages, we often come across different dialects. For example, in Spanish there is Catalan, and in French provencal. So it happened with English. Of course, one can not say that the American is a dialect of the British version, but still one is considered the progenitor of the second.

History of the origin of the American language

On the American continent, English came across the ocean. In the 17th century, British peasants began to move in colonies to the New Earth. At that time there were a lot of nationalities, respectively, their language was also different. Here and the Spaniards, and the Swedes, and the Germans, and the French, and even the Russians. The first settlement was the city of Jamestown already in 1607. Next to them, after a decade or so, the Puritans settled, who had excellent language traditions.

Carriers of different dialects began to spread throughout the continent, with many preserved to this day. In the 18th century colonists were influenced by settlers from Ireland. They began to contribute to the formation of the American language. To the south-west, there are also Spanish speakers. Pennsylvania was inhabited by Germans.

The continent had to be rebuilt, and the situation seemed quite difficult. A huge amount of work had to be done: build houses, raise production, cultivate land, and, eventually, adjust to the new social and economic situation.

In order for all that has been conceived, communication and interaction were necessary, so one common language was needed. The connecting link in this matter was English. But it is worth noting that even in England this language was heterogeneous. Here there were differences between the voices of the bourgeoisie, peasants, aristocrats, etc.

It is worth recalling that immigration lasted until the 20th century. Of course, it is still observed, but then it was a large-scale event. By the way, in spite of the fact that the residents tried to adapt themselves to a single adverb, they kept their names native. At birth, the child could wear the German name Rudolph, the Spanish Rodolphe, the Italian Paolo, etc.

It seemed that a common basis for communication was ready, but nevertheless the new settlers were surrounded by a completely different world. They needed to get used to other concepts, customs and priorities. People appreciated completely different qualities, so the language began to change rapidly. Unknown plants called Indian words, animals received Swedish or Dutch roots, the food often carried a French character.

Some English words became more precise. Also a great influence was made by culture. The books that the inhabitants of America read were brought from England. In addition, pro-British groups were created that tried in every possible way to propagate that native and real British language. Of course, now English is understandable to any American and vice versa, nevertheless there are differences, and they are significant.

Differences with the British

If you compare American, English, you can find more similarities in them than differences. They do not radically differ from each other, like the languages of Germanic groups. Of course, we can distinguish Spanish from French, German and English.

If we did not study in depth American, English, at first hearing we can not tell them apart. If you have been learning English since childhood, but decided to go to America, it will be better, of course, to get acquainted with certain features, so as not to get trapped.

As history tells us, peasants brought not pure English to America, but a simplified one. Considering the fact that a simple language was required to detach the state, this option became even more uncomplicated. That is, the main difference is simplicity. Next, we will look more deeply into the difference between speech in the US and Britain.

Orthographic features

Language researchers began to notice that from the spelling point of view the American language really became simpler. At one time, the linguist Noah Webster compiled a dictionary, in which he fixed the use of words with -or instead of -our. So words like honor began to appear.

The next change was the replacement of -re with -er. That is, the metre already became meter, the same thing happened with theater and center. There have been many such changes. Words suffered spelling changes, and therefore those who only study languages, you might think that in these cases a typo is allowed.

The next interesting fact was the phenomenon of synecdoche. Americans began to call something whole with the name of one of the components. For example, they call any bug "bug", any kind of spruce they call "pine".

Lexical features

As it became clear, the lexical difference arose from the fact that many elements of the new life did not have a name in English, and they had to give a name. The second factor was the natural influence of other dialects, who with their masters came to the mainland. Especially here it was felt the influence of the Spaniards.

Nowadays there are a lot of American words that are very often used by residents, and yet they are never found in the English version. Translation from the American does not always correspond to the British one. The most obvious example is the difference between first floor and ground floor (first floor). But here, for example, for the British, first floor is the second floor, whereas in America the second floor is the second floor. Not knowing this nuance, the one who studied the British version from childhood, can get into trouble when he comes to America.

There are many such examples. It is much easier for native speakers of the Russian language to learn the American language, since it is, as already said, simpler and simpler. In addition, the translation from the American is more logically perceived.

And, of course, slang influenced the American version of the English language. Many words were adopted by dictionaries and already took their "shelf" in the speech component. It is worth saying that in the 20th century, the merging of English literature and American slang, which once again proved the powerful influence of Americans on the formation of language.

Grammatical features

Another proof that studying the American is very simple is the grammatical difference from the British. The English people like to complicate everything, because it's not for nothing that they have such a huge number of times. But in America they like to talk, using only the Simple group. To meet here Perfect is very difficult. Apparently, like for Russians, Americans do not understand the advisability of using this group of times.

Despite this oversight, it is worth noting that in many ways Americans can be meticulous Englishmen. For example, this applies to verbal nouns, use shall / will. The use of adverbs with the ending -ly (slowly) - their Americans generally do not use, replacing them with slow. By the way. Americans even managed to avoid wrong verbs, many for them are absolutely correct and do not require additional forms.

Phonetic features

Pronunciation and then, of course, different. Returning to history, it should be mentioned that the peasants and ordinary people moved here. They already had a warped pronunciation, and over time it became completely different from the British one.

First, a different emphasis on words. Secondly, the pronunciation of certain words is quite different. Thirdly, even the sounds are pronounced differently, here you can give an example with a sound swallowed by Englishmen [r], Americans do not.

Another difference is intonation. For the British, this is the main tool in the construction of proposals. But in America there are only two options: smooth and descending. It is worth noting that, as in the case of vocabulary, the Spanish speech has a great influence on phonetics.

Lessons from Pimsler

English by the Pimsler method is aimed at people with different abilities. Someone can learn languages freely, and others it is difficult. Lessons in colloquial speech with Pimsler take no more than half an hour. The linguist believes that just this time, no more, our brain can function in full and with increased efficiency.

English by the method of Pimsler is divided into three levels, which are like stages of complexity. The first for beginners, the second and third is designed for those who are already familiar with the base.

What to teach?

If you have just started to learn languages, the question has arisen, which one still to study: British or American, first determine the goal. If you are going to go to the US, respectively, American language should be your priority. If in London, then take care of English.

If you have not yet set a goal to visit countries, but only want to learn the language from scratch, then in such details you should not go into. The main thing is to learn the basics. Also you will not be hampered by the vocabulary to express your thoughts.

In principle, there is no difference what to study: the British and American language. As practice shows, all the same study of more complex English is much more useful. After all, you will be accurately understood in America, but, having got to Britain, with the American one there can be problems. English is broader and more developed. After studying it, you can read the classics with much greater pleasure (Jack London, Shakespeare, etc.). In any case, Russian-speakers are doomed to be "strangers", even with the perfect knowledge of English and American. Of course, only if they have not lived more than 10 years in the US or England.