Thursday, September 8, 2011

British Accent

At websites or our Comp/Laptops while writing,or at social networking sites(writing social networking sites so that "young" people can take interest ,:d),while writing anything ,the words,spellings ,depend upon the language/dictionary selected for the site.
American spellings are now becoming more universal as Microsoft software defaults to American spellings and often does not recognise British spellings.though many British spellings are a product of history, influenced by Shakespeare,Chaucer.
Words ending in OUR have been changed to OR in America.for eg- Colour.

When we type ,it always depends upon the dictionary we are using,if its British or American.they show a red underline if spell it in other language then the selected one.As I studied English Literature,I found British English much proper while writing.so (though I m not that perfect in it,but jus will share part of  knowledge i have)will share who like to know about British accent,slangs ,or are too confused still with the some words..and diff between British and American English,though in India ,American English is used widely,and in most part of the world,as i guess its much easier and  convenient for people.

Many American spellings differ from English spellings, the original settlers to New England taught English Webster's spelling-rules which omitted 'U' in words ending in 'OUR' (eg: honor/honour & color/colour, etc)  and also promoted single consonants instead of double consonants in 2nd syllables, (eg: traveler/traveller, etc) 
                   
Some common words which are spelt differently in British English and American English
(American English spellings in bracket)
-our (-or): behaviour (behavior); colour (color)

-re (-er): centimetre (centimeter); centre (center)

-se (-ce): to practise (to practice)

-ll (-l): jewellery (jewelry); quarrelling (quarreling); traveller (traveler)

equalling [UK] = equaling [US]
: axe (ax); bank cheque (bank check); cosy (cozy)

American spellings are often used in the UK for computer terms, but not when used for other meanings. You run a computer program, but watch a television programme.

Ok i wont bore for too long with this , you should thank me for not explaining diphthongs,vowels etc here. and will get to the point of some slangs in British.,I totally love British accent,who doesn't i guess,off course except few Americans mocking British accent ,and not to forget girls who drool completely over British guys cz of their accent.,wont get into Scottish and Irish accent for now,love that too.

"aiyt" = alright.
"nay" - no.
"naat-mean" = you know what I mean
 sod - same as bugger, as in sod/bugger off,
Rasclat - An idiot
On the Razz - Go out and have a good time!

.. then their are words like  twat..wanker, bollocks.
minging( disgusting, nasty),.dodgy.

Fogey- an old person ,with old views
skank = slut 
slump = knock someone out
 i can go on..but thats all for now. .

Here are some more words as they use and pronounce -

Canny - Can not
 Wilny - Will not
His nae - Has not
A fur goat - I forgot.
Dug - dog
Bried - bread

In a more clear way the pronunciation in British English (American English in brackets)--

 Ballet: ball-ay (ba-llay): stress is on the first part in Britain, but on the second part in America
Clerk: clark (clurk): rhymes with 'park' in Britain, but rhymes with 'work' in America
Tomato: to-maa-tow (to-may-tow): 'ma' is like the 'ma' of 'mark' in Britain, but like the 'ma' of 'make' in America
Privacy: pri-va-see (pry-va-see): the 'i' is short in Britain (like the 'i' of 'image'), but long in America (like the 'i' of 'idea')

The vowel sounds in American English are often quite different from those in British English, especially the "o" and "a" sounds, and the "r" at the end of a word. There are of course many regional variations.

If u want more of British,Scottish or Irish Accent,watch movies like Leap Year, Truth about Love,Love actually,and u will totally fall in love with it,but please avoid Americans talking in fake British accent in some movies :P.

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