Ex. 2. Find in the text the words which have the same roots with the following verbs.

Ex. 3. Read and translate the text.

British and American English

These two varieties of the English language are very similar to each other. But at the same time they have considerable differences in grammar, spelling, vocabulary and pronunciation.

These difference emerged during the isolation of America from Great Britain in the 18th century. The United States had long been the “melting pot” of the world. People of many nationalities came to America and they brought their native traditions and languages with them. Those people adopted the English language, and the very flexible English language took a lot of innovations in grammar, spelling, pronunciation and, of course, vocabulary from them. American English developed rapidly. The Americans produced a new vocabulary which reflected the other no-English cultures (French, Spanish, Dutch, Mexican, Indian, African, etc.) and the life of people in a presidential republic.

Later British language was influenced by American English. A lot of Americanisms from the language of advertising, journalism, technology, music and show business have come into everyday speech of British people, and not only British. Such words as “teenager”, “superpower”, “know now”, “video”, “body building”, “okay”, “computer” and many others are well-known all over the world.

The English language has become an international language having the elements of both British English and American English.

Though British English and American English have common source, there are a number of particularities in the two varieties of the English language.

Nowadays, linguists have different opinions about the development of British English and American English. Some scholars think that if American English hasn’t become an independent language, differences between two languages will be disappearing.

Others, on the contrary, believe that American English and British English are “drifting apart so mercilessly that one day the two nations may not be able to understand each other at all.” (Robert Burchfield, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary”).

Nevertheless, it is important for those who learn English to know if only the main differences between British and American forms.

1) Pronunciation:

These are most obvious differences, but there are many others.

2) Vocabulary:

3) Spelling:

4) Grammar:

1.American English often uses the past where British English uses the present perfect.

U.S. — Did you eat yet? G.B. — Have you eaten yet?

2.American English sometimes uses the verb 'to have' differently from British English.

4. There are lots of small differences in the use of prepositions.

For example ...

1.The two varieties of the English language are very … to each other.

2.At the same time they have … differences in grammar, spelling, vocabulary and … .

3.These differences … during the isolation of America from Great Britain in the 18th century.

4.The United States of America had long been the … … of the world.

5.Those people adopted the English language, and the very flexible English language took a lot of … in grammar, spelling, pronunciation and, of course, … from them.

6.The Americans produced a new vocabulary which … the other non-English countries.

7.The English language has become an international language having the elements of … British English and American English.

8.Though British English and American English have common …, there are a number of … in the two varieties of the English language.

Ex. 5. Match the American English words on the left with the British English equivalents on the right