美國英語＆英國英語

今天推送的的VOA Special English，主要內容是關於美國英語和英國英語的差別，重點在拼寫、辭彙、習語的差別上，同時講到了兩國各自特殊的表達。在拼寫上，美國英語通常把-our中的u省略，如labor, color, favour等，在英國英語中，這三個詞分別拼寫成labour, colour, favour。在辭彙方面，美國英語使用apartment表示公寓，而英國英語用的是flat；美國英語中的電梯是elevator，英國英語慣用lift；汽油在美國英語中叫gas，英國英語用的是petrol。在習語方面，表示插話，美國用put in two cents，英國用put in two pence，因為美國貨幣中並無pence；藏有秘密，在美國叫做skeleton in the closet，而英國叫做skeleton in the cupboard。另外，兩國在很多表達上也存在諸多差異，文中提到，美國人感謝使用thank you，而英國人經常用cheers，cheers在美國英語中表示乾杯。文章最後提醒，美國英語和英國英語各有優勢，節目並無偏向。

我們知道VOA節目是針對初中級英語學習者的，所以在談到二者差別的時候並不深入，美國英語和英國英語的差別顯然遠遠多於這一次節目所提到的這些。比如，文中沒有提到二者語音的差別，講到的三點差別也只是蜻蜓點水，並無深入。

文中最後的結論政治非常正確，無論是英國英語還是美國英語都各有優勢。實際上，不僅僅是英國英語和美國英語都各有優勢，加拿大英語、澳大利亞英語、紐西蘭英語、新加坡英語、南非英語也都各有優勢，有各自特殊的表達。但當今世界的大部分英語學習者還是以美國英語為標準，畢竟美國是目前唯一的超級大國，其文化產品和各種價值觀也都在全球各地滲透。

作為學習者，對於二者差別最直觀的感受還是語音，最困惑的也是語音。但正如節目中所說的那樣，美國英語和英國英語不過就是兩種不同口音的英語，沒有好壞。如果要學習，選擇一種堅持模仿練習即可，不用厚此薄彼。

以下是音頻材料的文本。

Now the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories!

The fourth of July is Independence Day in the United States.On that day, we celebrate the decision by early American leaders to declare independence from Britain.While people in both England and the U.S. speak English, the two types of English can be very different.

First, there are differences in spelling.The British like the letter 「u」 and have kept it in many words.Americans have dropped it.Somewhere in our language history, we decided that 「labor,」 「color」 and 「favorite」 were just fine without the 「u」 next to the 「o.」

But our differences go beyond spelling. Sometimes, we use different words entirely.Here, we live in apartments with elevators. Over there, they live in flats with lifts.We put diapers on our babies and push them in strollers.The British love their babies just as much as we do, but they use nappies and prams instead.We power our cars with gas. They use petrol.And, if we need to look in our car』s dark trunk for something, we use a flashlight.They would use a torch to search their dark boot.

Then there are idioms. Some British and American idioms have the same meaning, but use different words.For example, in the U.S. if you want to add your opinion to a conversation, you put in your two cents.In the U.K., they put in their tuppence (or two pence) worth. Makes sense. They have pence and we don』t.Another example is the idiom about discussing the same issue again and again, especially if it cannot be resolved.We say, 「Don』t beat a dead horse!」 The British, on the other hand, advise against flogging one.And, if you are keeping secrets in the United States, you have skeletons in the closet.In Great Britain, your skeletons would be hiding in a cupboard.

But the real fun begins when we start exploring idioms and expressions that are unique to each country.Let』s start with 「Bob』s your uncle.」 To an American ear, that is a weird expression.And it has nothing to do with any relative you may or may not have named Bob.It is just a way to finish a set of simple instructions.

What is the equivalent -- the different but equal saying -- in the U.S.? Americans might say, 「and there you have it!」 Or sometimes, more dramatic people will say, 「Ta-da!」For example, imagine you are explaining to someone how to use your new fancy, coffee maker.You explain: 「First, you grind the beans.Then you put them in the side container and pour water in the main container.Push the button and ten minutes later -- ta-da! -- you have a pot of coffee!Sometimes over a fresh pot of coffee, you may want to have a long talk with a friend.You might even throw in a little gossip.We call that a chat, or if it』s a short conversation, chit-chat.The British would call it a 「chin-wag.」

If a British person says, 「I』ve got the hump,」 we might think they are sick and need to see a doctor.But in fact, when Brits say they have a hump, it means they are mildly annoyed or upset.

In the U.S., some informal ways to say we are upset are 「I』m ticked off」 or 「I』m miffed.」

Now, when Americans are really surprised by something, we can say we 「are at a loss for words.」Or more informally, we simply say we are 「shocked」 or 「blown away.」Across the Atlantic in the U.K., they are 「gobsmacked.」 In the U.S., we don』t get smacked by gobs. Ever.

Finally, a familiar word used by both countries but in different ways is 「cheers.」We use the word over drinks when we are wishing someone good health or congratulating an accomplishment.The British use 「cheers」 to mean 「thank you.」 For that, we Americans say, 「Thank you!」

Now, we don』t expect you to pick sides.Both American and British English have their strong points.But thanks for listening to Words and Their Stories, a program that teaches American English.

I』m Anna Matteo.Cheers! I mean, thanks.

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