RD.COM Knowledge Grammar & Spelling
Claire NowakUpdated: Feb. 17, 2021
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The British founded America’s original thirteen colonies, so we should be speaking in the same dialect. Right?
For two countries whose histories are so intertwined, America and England have some pretty notable distinctions. They use a different currency. Their citizens drive on different sides of the road. And American presidents got nothing on Queen Elizabeth’s ability to accessorize.
But one of the more puzzling differences is the way people in each country talk. Americans and Brits both speak English, so why don’t they sound the same when they talk?
First, let’s go over a lesson in Linguistics 101. An accent is a varied pronunciation of a language. A dialect is a variety of a language that includes different vocabulary and grammar, in addition to pronunciation. Two important factors in the formation of a dialect are isolation from the source of the original language and exposure to other languages.
The “American English” we know and use today in an American accent first started out as an “England English” accent. According to a linguist at the Smithsonian, Americans began putting their own spin on English pronunciations just one generation after the colonists started arriving in the New World. An entire ocean away from their former homeland, they became increasingly isolated from “England English” speakers. They also came in more contact with foreign languages, those of the Native Americans and other settlers from Sweden, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Both factors eventually led to changes in Americans’ vocabulary and grammar, creating a new English dialect. (However, there is some British slang that Americans don’t realize they use.)
An important reason why American English and British English sound different is rhotacism, the change of a particular sound in a language. In this case, that sound is “r.” The standard American accent—what Americans think of as having no accent—is rhotic, meaning that speakers pronounce their “r’s.” Received Pronunciation (aka typical British accents) is non-rhotic, so words like “card” are pronounced like “cahd.”
At first, English speakers in the colonies and England used a rhotic accent. But after the Revolutionary War, upper-class and upper-middle-class citizens in England began using non-rhotic speech as a way to show their social status. Eventually, this became standard for Received Pronunciation and spread throughout the country, affecting even the most popular British phrases. Americans kept their rhotic American accent—for the most part. Port cities on the East Coast, especially in New England, had a lot of contact with the R-less Brits. So if you always wondered why Boston natives pahk theyah cahs to pahty hahd with a glass of cabahnet, thank rhotacism. This is why Americans drive automatic and Europeans drive manual.
Originally Published: August 28, 2019
As a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of linguistic evolution, accents, and dialects, let me shed light on the intriguing differences in the ways Americans and Brits speak, as discussed in the provided article.
The article delves into the historical and linguistic aspects that contribute to the distinct sound of American and British English, despite both originating from the same linguistic roots. Here are the key concepts explored:
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Accent vs. Dialect: The article rightly begins with a distinction between accent and dialect. An accent refers to the varied pronunciation of a language, while a dialect encompasses variations in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. This foundation is crucial for understanding the subsequent differences discussed.
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Historical Evolution: The linguistic evolution of American English from its British origins is highlighted. The article mentions that Americans started developing their own pronunciation just a generation after the arrival of colonists in the New World. Isolation from "England English" speakers and exposure to Native American languages, as well as those of other settlers, played pivotal roles in shaping the vocabulary and grammar of American English.
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Rhotacism: A key factor in the divergence of American and British English is rhotacism, the alteration of a specific sound in a language—in this case, the sound "r." The standard American accent is rhotic, meaning speakers pronounce their "r's," while Received Pronunciation (typical British accents) is non-rhotic. The article explains that English speakers in the colonies initially used a rhotic accent, but after the Revolutionary War, non-rhotic speech became a marker of social status in England, leading to its adoption as standard pronunciation.
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Geographical Influence: The article touches on the influence of geography, specifically mentioning port cities on the East Coast, especially in New England. These areas had significant contact with non-rhotic British speakers, contributing to the retention of rhotic accents in certain American English varieties.
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Cultural and Social Factors: The adoption of non-rhotic speech by the upper class in England post-Revolutionary War is discussed as a reflection of social status. This cultural shift influenced the spread of non-rhotic pronunciation throughout the country, further emphasizing the social and class-related aspects of language evolution.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the linguistic, historical, and social factors that contribute to the distinct sound of American and British English, enriching our understanding of how language evolves over time and across geographical and cultural boundaries.
