Languages, Accents

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

Accent

In reference to speech patterns, accent refers to a distinct type of pronunciation associated with certain regions. It relates to how people who are native to a certain area tend to pronounce words, use inflection, and which syllables are stressed and overall tone. 

Dialect

The definition of the term dialect refers to variations associated with how groups of people speak a particular language. Dialect refers to an overall way of speaking, not just pronunciation. Accent is part of dialect, but dialect is a more encompassing term. Dialect involves the usage of distinct vocabulary choices (including slang) and grammatical patterns. 

Language?

The primary difference between dialect and language has to do with the difference between spoken and written communication. Language can be spoken or written, whereas dialect tends to just be used in spoken communication.

• British English

• British Accents

• American English.

• Australian English.

• Canadian English

British English  / Australian English

A

a good job /   a good lurk

Absolutely! /   Reckon!

accident  / prang

afternoon /   arvo

aggressive /   aggro

alcohol  / grog

alcohol / booze

American  /Yank

American: Afternoon

British: Afternoon

Australian: Arvo

American: Gas station

British: Petrol station

Australian: Servo

American: Candy

British: Sweets /sweeties

Australian: Lollies

Spelling

    American English doesn’t have a ‘u’ in words like “colour”. Instead, it’s spelled “color”.

    Sometimes, ‘z’ replaces the ‘s’ in American English. You’ll see this in words like “realize” and “organize”.

    ‘R’ and ‘e’ at the end of words like “centre” and “theatre” are switched in American English to “center” and “theater”.

    American English only used one ‘l’ in words like “traveled” and “traveling”.