American English American English vs British English Americans
American English
American English vs. British English § Americans live in an apartment, while Brits rent a flat. You go on vacation in the United States, but on holiday in the United Kingdom. § What other differences do you know between American and British English?
American English vs. British English Examples British American Ø Queue Ø Line Ø Lift Ø Elevator Ø Flat Ø Apartment Ø Pavement Ø Sidewalk Ø Football Ø Soccer Ø Torch Ø Flashlight Ø Rubbish Ø Trash Ø Garden Ø Yard Ø Chips Ø Fries Ø Chemist Ø Drugstore Ø Jumper Ø Sweater Ø Motorway Ø Freeway Ø Trainers Ø Sneakers Ø Petrol Ø Gas
Regional Variation § Different parts of the United States use different words for the same item. § These differences are usually vary by region.
Regional Variation - Drinks Depending on where you are in the United States, it could be called: § Soda § Pop § Coke § Soft Drink
Regional Variation - A Group of People Depending on where you are in the United States, it could be called: § You guys § you § Y’all § You all
Regional Variation - Roads Depending on where you are in the United States, it could be called: § Traffic Circle § Roundabout § Rotary
Regional Variation - Shoes Depending on where you are in the United States, it could be called: § Tennis shoes § Sneakers § Gym Shoes
American Slang § What is slang? § Where do you typically hear slang being used? When is it rare to hear someone use slang or idiomatic expressions? § What slang phrases do you know (in American or British English)?
Slang vs. Idiomatic Expressions Ø What is the difference between slang and idiomatic expressions? § Slang (noun) = words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people § Idiom (noun) = an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own Dude! That party was too legit. I have a frog in my throat.
American Slang - Examples Ø Gonna = going to § I’m gonna watch TV. It’s gonna rain next week. Ø Wanna = want to § What do you wanna do? I wanna hold your hand. Ø Gotta = have got to § I gotta go. Do what you gotta do. • • Kinda = kind of Outta = out of Lemme = let me Dunno = I don’t know Cuz / ‘Cause = because Bout = about Finna = about How ya doing = How are you doing Americans use these expressions while speaking, but they are rarely written down in their slang form.
American Slang - School Slang § To cut class = to purposefully not attend class § To pull an all-nighter = to stay up all night studying § To cram = to study very hard in a short period of time § Pop quiz = unannounced quiz § To ace a test = to get a high score on an exam
American Slang – Relationship Slang § To hit on someone = to flirt with someone § To pop the question = to propose marriage § To break up with someone = to end a relationship § To dump someone = to end a relationship (badly) § To go steady = to date someone
Idiomatic Expressions Can you guess the meaning of the following idiomatic expressions? § § § § It’s a beautiful watch, but it costs an arm and a leg. She let the cat out of the bag. He’s such a couch potato. She is a backseat driver. That was the icing on the cake. The election? I’m still on the fence about it. The bread was made from scratch.
The Evolution of Slang Ø Slang is not new. Every generation has its own series of informal phrases and expressions. Ø Some stick around as slang for a new generation or even become part of the official lexicon. Other slang expressions sound like a foreign language! “Hey there! How was the party on Friday? ” § “It was the bee’s knees!” § “It was groovy!” § “It was a blast!” § ”It was on fleek!” § “It was lit!”
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