What's a principal difference between american and english?

Question

I'm not american, but even english. I'm italian

Answer 1

l'americano non è una lingua.   L'inglese si parla in america.  E' un po' diverso dell'inglese dell'inghilterra.  tipo alcune parole hanno diverse significanze e alcune usano solo gli inglesi e non gli americani.  ma è la stessa lingua.

Answer 2

If your question is about the difference in language, then because of the post war importation of American English into the UK through films, TV and music etc, it can be quite hard to tell when someone is using American or British (English) words when writing, but using; 'Sidewalk', 'Hood' (for 'Pavement' and '[car] Bonnet') are a give away, as is the US expression; "he was named 'for' his uncle John" instead of the British; "he was named 'after' his uncle John"....

As far as personality goes, the British see many Americans as being quite ignorant regarding history, geography, world affairs and of being pretty self-assured to the point of arrogance.  But I'm sure that the  Americans regard the British as being "snobbish" and trying to "punch above their weight" on the world stage, when Britain (in reality) is lagging behind most of the European nations for quality of life/crime/teen pregnancies/alcoholism etc,.

Although we won't always admit it, Britain does tend to follow the American lead in language and popular culture.

Answer 3

Mostly, spelling, pronunciation and terminology.

For example, spelling differences:  flavor/flavour, favorite/favourite, color/colour

pronunciation:  garage = ga-RAZH  vs. GARRij

                      advertisement = ADverTISEment  vs. adVERtiseMENT

                      water = wodder  vs. woh-tah

                      

terminology:   engine  vs. motor

                     freeway vs. motorway/carriageway

                     trunk vs. boot

                     truck vs. lorry

                     cookie vs. biscuit

                     biscuit vs. scone

                     public school vs. private school

                     private school vs. public school

                     pants vs. trousers

                     rabbit vs. coney

                     restroom vs. WC (water closet)

                     subway  vs.  tube

                     TV  vs. Telly

                     channel  vs. programme

Answer 4

The speaker!!! :o)  

Basically, the differences are in accent (can't, cahn't), pronunciation (Vai-ti-min vs. vit-a-min), spelling (color, colour) and certain words (trash can, rubbish bin).  Also, British English has a lot more Irish, Scottish and French influence whereas American English has more Latino influence (Americans will say "gracias" or "de nada" or various other Spanish words (via Latin America, not Spain) without thinking about it.