Five (More) Differences between UK English and US English – PART 2

Since actual travel between the US and UK is currently...challenging let’s take a look instead, at some more of the linguistic differences between these?“two countries separated by a common language.”

In?Part 1?of this series, we discussed some basic differences between UK and US English.?Today we are going to delve a little deeper.

Spelling?–?While there are many UK-US spelling variations, one type that many translation professionals encounter is medical terms.?Here, along with some other tricky spelling variations, are a few examples:

UK version US version

paediatrician pediatrician

oestrogen estrogen

foetus fetus

defence defense

licence license

jewellery jewelry

fuelled fueled

catalogue catalog

Again, these “rules” have many exceptions, such as Americans’ customary use of the ending “-gue” in spelling the word “dialogue,” but, inexplicably not with the American spelling of the word “catalog,” or where the American “program” is “programme” in the UK, except when referencing computer “programs.”

Measurements?–?In addition to the obvious difference between Pounds (￡) and Dollars ($), other linguistic differences can be found in time notation, spelling of measuring units and indeed the units used to measure different things. To make matters worse, units of measure with the?same name?and the?same spelling?may actually represent differing, but deceptively similar, amounts.?See the “gallon” example below. There is a lot more going on in the numbers than spelling variations, and it pays to be alert, especially in translation work.

UK version US version

“10.30 this evening” “10:30 this evening”

metres meters

litres liters

gallon (38.43?US/38.99 UK oz.) gallon (32?US/33.30 UK oz.)

While the metric system is more commonly used in the UK than the US, the most popular unit of driving distance in both countries is still the?mile.?Thankfully, in 1959, the UK and US, along with several other English-speaking nations, agreed on a uniform distance for the mile. Before that it was a ridiculous mish-mash for distances.

Phrases?–?If you watch enough British TV (or “American telly” if you are from the UK), you will begin to notice and understand the differences among common phrases in these two countries.?Here are some examples to add to those in?Part I?of this series:

UK version US version

at the weekend, on the weekend,

worked it out figured it out

keeps himself to himself keeps to himself

home from home home away from home

Again, there seems to be no discernible rule here—sometimes there are more words in the UK version of a phrase, sometimes fewer.?Only through use and practice can a translator or other language practitioner become confident and skilled in such subtle code-switching.

Terminology?–?Some of the more interesting terminology variations are found in the areas of cuisine and automotive matters.?Days off from work can be very confusing, as well.

UK version US version

silverside rump roast

mangetout snow peas

aubergine eggplant

marrow zucchini

double-cream heavy cream

icing sugar confectioners sugar

wing fender

silencer muffler

roundabout traffic circle or rotary

bank holiday federal/state holiday

At times, there seem to be more exceptions than rules. The food known as “fish fingers” in the UK is called “fish sticks” in the USA, yet Americans call a very similar dish made with chicken “chicken fingers.” As they say in American dialect, “go figure.”

Legalese (with a funny accent)?–?In addition to the UK having those cool wigs and much fancier judges’ regalia, other differences in the two systems can be found between contractual and legal language.?Here are a few more examples:

UK version US version

break caluse termination clause

amnesty immunity

attachment of earnings garnishment of wages

The documents known as “annual reports” in the US are called “annual returns” in the UK.?The term “annual return” probably sounds too similar to the annual tax filings required of?businesses in the US.?“Garnishment” of wages sounds a bit strange in any country– will a sprig of parsley and a radish rose be served with said wages? “Attachment” sounds more formal, and legal, but we love to threaten garnishment in the U.S.

English language practitioners should familiarize themselves with these and the countless other differences between the two dialects in order to seamlessly switch back and forth, according to their clients’ preferences.

Check back soon for future discussions of the differences between UK and US English, including a discussion of the differences in types of lawyers and courts, as well as a segment about naughty and naughty-sounding words.