British English Vs. American English: Navigating the Global Language Landscape
Image courtesy: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
Have you ever observed an interview with Tom Holland where he uses an American accent for his role as Spider-Man? It seems perfectly natural to the ears, so much so that we forget he’s not an American. However, the minute Andrew Garfield, an American, slips into a British accent, it always comes off as a shock. Accents are a big part of our everyday lives, and this pop-culture reference was only the tip of the iceberg.
With the second largest speaking population in the world, after Mandarin, English has a long and complicated history with talks of many origins. Due to the countless attempts at colonization by the largely English-speaking troops, the dominated regions had no choice but to adapt the language of foreigners to survive. While all the colonies are free today, that is still the case. Whether it may be for society, profession, or even yourself, English is necessary for survival due to its crucial role in navigating today’s interconnected world.
It is natural to find yourself in situations where your basic English skills are questioned. Take the word “groundfloor” for example. For someone more familiar with British English, it refers to the floor on the level at the street level, while Americans refer to the same level as the “first floor”. This cultural difference is not only an indication of dialectical diversity but also how it can associate one’s identity with a culture. Confusion will happen, as it is the way of the world, and you might even be called for it. This builds up a hierarchy in the society - one version of the “English” language is perceived as more “correct”, highlighting the main problems faced by sociolinguistics.
In conclusion, there is no correct way to express yourself, whether it is about British English, American English, or any of the numerous languages of the world. While there certainly have been great historical events shaping the power dynamics of languages that will persist for a long time, our generation has become far more accommodating and inclusive than our ancestors could have ever imagined. As globalisation becomes even wider, so does our understanding of the diversity in all its forms.
Since we have concluded that no way of speaking or writing a language is better, then why is it that one is preferred more than the other? If you guessed American English at any point in this article, then I’m afraid you are correct. While there should be no one answer to this question, it is in reality that the publishing industry finds itself being slightly more inclined towards American English since the US global market is at its all-time peak. The larger population hails from those parts where the dialects of British English may not be best understood.
However, undoubtedly some of the very best works have come from British authors such as J.K. Rowling, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and George Orwell. So while American English might dominate the market, British English will always be one step ahead with its sheer drama, class, and the word “aight”.
From the Editor's desk
Pari Jain