Differences between British English and American English

I would say that there can be very large differences between British English and American English as it is not always the words which are used but the way in which they are used that can differ. I moved to England from the US when I was 17 years old and it took me approximately two years before I became fluent in English as spoken in England, and completely conversant with its nuances, idioms and hidden meanings.

To give a brief example of the latter: I walk into a bookstore and say to the proprietrix: ‘Do you have a copy of the Sloane Ranger Handbook?’

She replies: ‘No, I suggest you try WH Smith’s.’

On the surface, this may appear to be a perfectly normal and ordinary exchange, helpful even. However, it is not. The combination of the accent with which the reply is delivered mixed with the intonation accompanying it in fact means that what she actually said was, ‘Piss off. This is a posh book store.’

But it’s only after an extended period of time living and mixing with the English that an American can come to understand these matters.

And, as I mentioned, sometimes the usage itself can be very different while conveying more or less the same meaning.

To give an example:

American: ‘It was like, my like, boyfriend and, like, my best friend like, had sex in, like, my mom’s bed at, like, a party and, like, I was really like, bummed because, like, I didn’t like, know it was like, going on.’

English: ‘My so-called best friend shagged my boyfriend in me mum’s bed during a party. It’s a bit off really, as I thought they were just having a bit of a snog.’