As someone who grew up in the United Kingdom, I’m used to hearing people referring to my English as ‘British English’ as though it was somehow different or unique.
In fact, though, the UK variant of English is much more than just an accent or a language ‘type’, with many specific characteristics and features that set it apart. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the UK variant of English, exploring some of its notable features and variations.
What Is British English?
British English is the standard English language used in the United Kingdom. It’s a variant of the English language and is closely related to other varieties of English, such as Canadian and American English. But despite its similarities, British English has some unique qualities, with changes in pronunciation and grammar, as well as differences in vocabulary and spelling.
Pronunciation and Accent
One of the most obvious differences between British English and other kinds of English is the accent. British English has many regional dialects and accents, with the most distinctive coming from Scotland, Ireland and some of the East Coast cities like London and Manchester.
The pronunciation of certain words can often vary between different regions of the UK. For instance, ‘bath’ is pronounced ‘barrth’ in many parts of Yorkshire, while ‘car’ is pronounced ‘cahr’ in northern England and Scotland. Similarly, words like ‘aunt’, ‘dance’ and ‘vase’ are pronounced slightly differently according to region.
Grammar and Usage
When it comes to grammar and usage, British English differs in a few specific ways. Firstly, the present perfect tense is typically used more often than in other varieties of English, with phrasal verbs, such as ‘put up with’ and ‘take on’, often being used in colloquial conversation.
In addition, adverbs of frequency, such as ‘always’ and ‘often’, are more commonly placed before the subject rather than after the verb, as in ‘He often goes’ rather than ‘He goes often’ – a pronunciation and usage that’s unique to the UK.
Vocabulary
Another distinct feature of the UK variant of English is its various vocabulary choices, which can often lead to confusion between British English speakers and those in other countries.
Here’s a quick list of some of the most common vocabulary words used in British English and the American English counterparts:
Lift (elevator)
- Post (mail)
- Torch (flashlight)
- Bonnet (hood of a car)
- Biscuit (cookie)
- Lorry (truck)
- British English
- Chips (fries)
- Bib (bib/bap)
Spelling
Finally, British English also has some unique spelling variations which are distinct from other varieties of the language. While American English typically simplifies spellings to make them shorter (such as ‘fulfill’ rather than ‘fulfil’), British English often favours more complex spellings, with words like ‘enrol’ and ‘programme’ featuring the extra letter -e.
Other words with varied spellings include ‘colour’ (American English: ‘color’), ‘realise’ (American English: ‘realize’) and ‘analogue’ (American English: ‘analog’).
Overall, it’s clear that British English has a range of unique features that set it apart from other varieties of English worldwide. From the way it’s pronounced to the vocabulary choices and the unique spellings, it can be difficult for non-native speakers to grapple with. But for those of us who call the UK home, it’s part of our national identity, and something that we all take pride in.
