20 Words Brits and Americans Say Differently

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  • Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
  • Here are 20 of my favourite words that Brits and Americans say differently
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 9 тис.

  • @guiselamaldonado2788
    @guiselamaldonado2788 5 років тому +3438

    When English is your second language and you watch both British and American TV shows, you end up pronouncing things weirdly.

    • @mugdhajohri2610
      @mugdhajohri2610 5 років тому +62

      I second this 😂

    • @ruthamure8824
      @ruthamure8824 5 років тому +46

      You're 💯 right

    • @weerez13
      @weerez13 5 років тому +23

      Agreed.

    • @SomePerson_Online
      @SomePerson_Online 5 років тому +13

      Guisela Maldonado
      *cough Water cOuGhS twice*
      I pronounce water as War-Tuh and they pronounce it as wa-ter

    • @weerez13
      @weerez13 5 років тому +1

      @@SomePerson_Online
      Wonder if the sound of spitting water/wahtuh is different in American or British English, too....
      Brits add a "tuh" sound at end?

  • @ZoeBredan
    @ZoeBredan 3 роки тому +383

    I’m from an African country which was colonized by the British , watched a lot of American movies growing up and now live in Canada.., go figure how confused I am about accents😃

    • @dayosonictv
      @dayosonictv 3 роки тому +18

      Trust me, You're not the only one. In Nigeria, we didn't have too much British stuff on tv when I was growing up, just American stuff from sesame streets to voltrons and all types of American cartoons growing up so my accent is combined.. the British show was boring to us at the time it was not gangsta like, it felt like it was geared towards old people, but they were good with comedy sitcom though compared to the Americans, in my opinion, growing up. English is my second language by the way... I speak Yoruba which my first language.. I'm aware that I need to step my punctuation game up lol

    • @BigSnipp
      @BigSnipp 3 роки тому +5

      @@dayosonictv Upvoted for Voltron.

    • @_Odyssia_
      @_Odyssia_ 2 роки тому +7

      I'm from South Africa, so we had a mix of both American and British movies and TV shows. But our English is predominantly influenced by UK English than American English. Everytime you'd get a new laptop or phone, the default language setting was English UK instead of English USA because some of the words are different. Trevor Noah made a joke about this when he went to the States before he got on the Daily Show about just how different the words and accents are in America.

    • @issapurpleworldanddiamondl747
      @issapurpleworldanddiamondl747 2 роки тому

      @@_Odyssia_ Very true...Im S.Aan too🇿🇦

    • @iamnotblackfortnite
      @iamnotblackfortnite 2 роки тому

      I’m just finnish

  • @alisonkennedy6622
    @alisonkennedy6622 2 роки тому +31

    Your American accent is impressive! You definitely have a bit of a Midwestern accent in your American, but most Brits doing an American accent sound Canadian to American speakers. You sound very authentic.
    I’m from the American south and I say as many of half of these words with your “British” pronunciation (route, aunt, address, World Cup, defense.) But I do hear your American pronunciations commonly in my area of the US.

  • @aileendq
    @aileendq 2 роки тому +43

    I grew up in New England and use the British version of "aunt", "adult", "either", "neither", "address", "fiancee", "defense", and "semi." and "route." I think you'll find that the pronunciations of words is very region-dependent when it comes to American accents, much like in Britain.

    • @proosee
      @proosee Рік тому +2

      Of course, it's New ENGLAND, duh 🤣

    • @BB-nr3sm
      @BB-nr3sm Рік тому +1

      Yes, so do I. I'm from Mass.

    • @4403323
      @4403323 Рік тому +2

      You are correct. The British version of route is used in Massachusetts, like Route 9.

    • @VolaraNyghte
      @VolaraNyghte Рік тому

      Great lakes area is quite the same here too

    • @christinamorrison4049
      @christinamorrison4049 Рік тому

      Especially in the original 13 colonies, I think. Many of our words in NC tend toward more British pronunciations.

  • @kylecrary963
    @kylecrary963 6 років тому +1730

    On the "tomatoes" section. I'm American and I feel like that waiter was just dumb.

    • @colinp2238
      @colinp2238 6 років тому +40

      AN immigrant maybe?

    • @taylorgutshall6039
      @taylorgutshall6039 6 років тому +12

      Kyle Crary I know right.

    • @jacktimson5551
      @jacktimson5551 6 років тому +1

      Haha

    • @rafa-borges
      @rafa-borges 6 років тому +68

      I don't think so. Most Latin and Oriental languages pronounce the word the same way was the Brits, so it's unlikely that a foreigner wouldn't understand. Maybe the waiter was just not prepared to hear a different accent and didn't get the word.

    • @dakotarobinson1497
      @dakotarobinson1497 6 років тому

      Same

  • @skylarsfunfilms
    @skylarsfunfilms 4 роки тому +28

    As an American, I find myself pronouncing “defense” differently depending on the context. If you’re speaking about someone playing defense in sports, then I would pronounce it “dee-fence”, stressing the first syllable, but in any other context, like military defense, I would pronounce it “duh-fence” (A.K.A the British way). A lot of American pronunciation can be conditional. Thanks for making the video! Interesting stuff.!

    • @texfarmer567
      @texfarmer567 Рік тому +3

      Oh, you’re right! I do the same thing.

  • @brynjulfwinthers3419
    @brynjulfwinthers3419 2 роки тому +18

    When I was learning english, I thought the difference in stress was just because it meant differently. For example, àddress meant the “location” while addréss meant “to speak about, to write to, etc”

    • @mysticgoose
      @mysticgoose 2 роки тому +7

      As an American if I think about it, that is actually how I use both of those pronunciations, but this is in no way formalized or a rule.

    • @Emily-uw7rk
      @Emily-uw7rk Рік тому +7

      As an American I hear that difference very strongly as you described correctly. There is a similar difference in regarding defense. In sports you would say “I play défense”.
      In an argument you would say “In my defénse”. I hope this help anyone who might be reading this. It would sound very strange to an English speaker in the US to pronounce address and defense the same way in all situations.

    • @meanmutton
      @meanmutton Рік тому +1

      That's how it works in American English.

    • @lorraineschwartz9956
      @lorraineschwartz9956 Рік тому +2

      @@Emily-uw7rk It's also, always, the Department of Defénce.

  • @minerexsss
    @minerexsss 2 роки тому +38

    1:00 water
    1:46 tomato
    2:44 adult
    3:03 advertisement
    3:28 either
    3:57 neither
    4:07 schedule
    4:37 mobile
    5:01 address
    5:14 massage
    5:32 fiancé
    5:54 aunt
    6:32 herb
    6:57 world cup
    7:22 defence
    7:44 garage
    8:01 mayonnaise
    8:22 semi
    8:52 route
    9:20 zebra

    • @everlong7012
      @everlong7012 2 роки тому +1

      THANK YOU

    • @minerexsss
      @minerexsss 2 роки тому +1

      @@everlong7012
      You're welcome! ;)

    • @dobazajr
      @dobazajr 2 роки тому +1

      I heard some Americans pronounced "route" the same as the Brits.

  • @camboyce884
    @camboyce884 3 роки тому +63

    The American pronunciation of "aunt" is not always as you indicated. We pronounce it different ways if we were brought up in different regions of the country. I personally pronounce it the way you indicate as British English. As for the word "address" it depends on whether it is the noun or the verb. For instance if you say, someone is going to "address" the group, we pronounce it the way you indicate as the pronunciation for British English.

    • @m.ricciardi552
      @m.ricciardi552 Рік тому +4

      right! We 'ad DRESS' an envelope to mail it (or 'ad DRESS' a group of people)...but we write down the 'AD dress' and ask people for their 'AD dress'

    • @FoxFighter-HellBringer
      @FoxFighter-HellBringer Рік тому +2

      That's why I mentioned that some people call their aunts "auntie/aunty" with the pronunciation being the British way.

  • @neilomahony7912
    @neilomahony7912 5 років тому +524

    So a linguist was asking an Irishman whether they said proncounced "either" as eether or eye-ther.
    He replied, "ah, sure, ayther will do"

    • @juliekannall2101
      @juliekannall2101 5 років тому +4

      Funny! :)

    • @nancyarditte5469
      @nancyarditte5469 5 років тому +6

      Loov it and luv it!

    • @leahmaranto6146
      @leahmaranto6146 4 роки тому +4

      Neil,I always loved this one 😂😂😂😂

    • @juanmanuelmoramontes3883
      @juanmanuelmoramontes3883 4 роки тому +1

      Haha, as my second language is English(my mother tongue is Spanish) sometimes automatically I pronounce "either" like that, because that's more similar to how it'd be spelled in Spanish.

    • @givenbupe160
      @givenbupe160 4 роки тому

      Lol.... That's me the first time I took English class... Very funny :)

  • @sunnyonwheels
    @sunnyonwheels 3 роки тому +5

    I'm an American linguist and English teacher. I was blown away with your American accent! Just one word really gave you away -- it was your pronunciation of the American "either". You still kept the British "tha" at the end instead of the very American "errrr". So eeeeetherrrr instead of eeeetha. Also, I thought you might enjoy knowing that many of us Americans say "Man-nayz", making it a 2-syllable word. I really enjoyed your video. Well done.

    • @BaldricksTurnip1
      @BaldricksTurnip1 3 роки тому +2

      You obviously wouldn't understand English regional accents.

  • @BewareTheJabberwock
    @BewareTheJabberwock 3 роки тому +15

    Two words I find interesting...
    “Laboratory” - I have heard Brits pronounce it as “la-BORE-uh-tree” but in the US we say “LAB-rah-tor-e”
    I have also heard Brits call the severe headache “ME-grain” and in the US it’s “MY-grain”

    • @missharry5727
      @missharry5727 2 роки тому +2

      Yup, those are standard British.

    • @hijislay3618
      @hijislay3618 Рік тому +2

      both can be used in British English

    • @kevinmoore5053
      @kevinmoore5053 Рік тому

      I beleive its La BOR a tory not sure where the Americans find the bra in LA bra tory

    • @TearMeOpenIBelieve
      @TearMeOpenIBelieve Рік тому

      In the US I think you can use both of the different pronunciations in one sentence and nobody would bat an eye.

  • @user-wv2be
    @user-wv2be 5 років тому +534

    I'm American and I'm amazed by how good your American English is.. You sound so British then suddenly American comes out! lol

    • @EatSleepDreamEnglish
      @EatSleepDreamEnglish  5 років тому +45

      Ha! Thank you very much Zay. It's years watching American TV shows I guess lol

    • @kevindaniel4141
      @kevindaniel4141 5 років тому +10

      I know it made me laugh when he was switching back and forth idky

    • @kramrollin69
      @kramrollin69 5 років тому +14

      First of your videos Ive watched, well done. Now, Aussie here. You have many generalisations of "England" English. To start.....as from where I live, we speak the King's English. ie ...Address:- Hi mate what is your ADD-dress?... Excuse me Sir, I am A-dressing you? See. different inflection for different meanings......that's why English is hard to master for Non English speakers. The North country poms, would say, Erb, Enry, Arry, etc all dropping the "H". English are known for it. The "R's" in all the American speak, would have come from the Irish in the Americas, mixed with Birmingham, etc ie the old "Hollywood Pirate" type of speech. My friend was born in Manchester, of Irish heritage, been here for 50 years and still says..."ANT-ie" when talking about his aunt. We speak mostly London English in Oz, but still have different inflections for different areas. Some of the old folk still say "Orf" for Off. And yes, everywhere you go you still hear English accents, even people you have been here for 90 years, still have their Engilsh, Scotish, Irish accents.
      At least (unless you are a recent import) noone here says, "SomeFink", or "I Fink"...or other dropping the "Th"....except some drongos say Free instead of Three here.
      My Father travelled to the US in 1969, thru the Mid west on business.....They all thought he was a movie star, with the way he talked.......because he sounded like Errol Flynn, whom, as you know was an Australian Hollywood Superstar, and spoke just like an Aussie. (tho a refined one for the times). Keep it up.

    • @MrJerseyMark
      @MrJerseyMark 5 років тому +4

      Agreed! I'm impressed.

    • @marcelageiger
      @marcelageiger 5 років тому +12

      Idk if you have noticed that even British actors are great at playing Americans, to the point you cannot even tell they aren't. And American actors cannot even make an accent from a region different from their own well.

  • @xuncertaininadequaciesx4947
    @xuncertaininadequaciesx4947 4 роки тому +323

    That moment you realise how much of American English you speak when you thought you spoke fully British English

    • @maximilianlehmkuhl2373
      @maximilianlehmkuhl2373 3 роки тому +22

      I actually realized how much British English I speak even though I mostly leaned American pronunciation 😅
      But it's the language English either way so I don't really care haha

    • @Cr4z4y
      @Cr4z4y 2 роки тому +11

      I watch so much American yt videos without knowing so I say some words in American English but I'm actually British

    • @Scotford_Maconochie
      @Scotford_Maconochie 2 роки тому +6

      I bet all the cool kids in school speak American.

    • @mt-vd1qt
      @mt-vd1qt 2 роки тому +1

      I've realised most Brits mix both American and British and don't even notice it... when you ask them, they go "oh, is it American?" lol like the word "either", which most people say the American way... back colonisation! :D

    • @becky1992
      @becky1992 2 роки тому

      Haha me too 👍🏻

  • @chrisbingham2244
    @chrisbingham2244 Рік тому +10

    As an American I think you do a great American accent. interestingly most of the words you just showed were used interchangeably when I was growing up. I grew up in Delaware with a family who had deep roots there. at 9 years old we moved to Arizona and it was really like a different language, I learned to pronounce "water" wooder. Hard to ask for a drink. I was also taught when you had to go to the restroom you asked to use the hopper...imagine the frustration on a 4th grader who needed to pee. those people had no idea what was wrong with me🤣

  • @dahianarosario1203
    @dahianarosario1203 3 роки тому +6

    When I learned English back in my country Dom, Rep. they taught me with British English. Now that I live in the USA, I understand why Americans sometimes cannot understand my pronunciation. In addition to my Latino accent. Good video.

  • @jamesbulldogmiller
    @jamesbulldogmiller 6 років тому +480

    🇺🇸For Address, I say
    as a noun, ADdress
    as a verb, adDRESS

    • @andrzejgrabinski8262
      @andrzejgrabinski8262 6 років тому +23

      yes that's what i say too

    • @melindaking9270
      @melindaking9270 6 років тому +27

      I was looking through the comments to see if anyone else mentioned that.

    • @IGH414
      @IGH414 6 років тому +1

      Very true

    • @RVered
      @RVered 6 років тому +16

      Also, if I say "home address", I would say "home adDRESS". (new yorker)

    • @EvanReitanSings
      @EvanReitanSings 6 років тому

      YESS

  • @dannygjk
    @dannygjk 5 років тому +227

    The word "address" pronunciation also depends on the usage. For example, "What is your address?" and "Your comment did not address the issue.".
    Same goes for many other words.

  • @deelite5176
    @deelite5176 Рік тому +12

    I never knew the word zebra was pronounced differently in England. I actually thought we pronounce that one the same, I learned something today.

    • @marydavis5234
      @marydavis5234 Рік тому +4

      Some countries pronounce the letter Z as ZED.

    • @zidane8452
      @zidane8452 7 місяців тому +1

      All that different pronunciation is due to the zed vs zee thing. So it's ze-bra for brits and zee-bra for Americans

  • @disturbingflight7365
    @disturbingflight7365 3 роки тому +6

    As someone who has lived in both the USA and the UK, this was a reminder of the fun times I've had in both. Although I will admit that a couple of the above words depend on where you are in the states.
    For example, the word "Semi": there are two different use cases, each with the their own pronunciation. While in the "New England States" I was taught to call the semi-finals the "seh-mee"-finals, but when we see a large truck and trailer (AKA a Lorry) we call them a "seh-mie".
    Just a bit of excess information from someone who has lived all the way from San Francisco, CA to Newport, RI, and almost a dozen places in between. I've also spent a long while in the Cambridge area.

  • @peytonhampton514
    @peytonhampton514 4 роки тому +367

    It honestly doesn't matter how you pronounce tomato. The waiter was just dumb😂

    • @user-tf4zo6cq7h
      @user-tf4zo6cq7h 3 роки тому +8

      😁😁😁

    • @StevenHoaks
      @StevenHoaks 3 роки тому +10

      My thought exctly!

    • @jaelleouapou4578
      @jaelleouapou4578 3 роки тому +9

      Honestly tho 🤣 (unless English was not their 1st lang)

    • @jssanch24
      @jssanch24 3 роки тому

      I agree.

    • @joekc7114
      @joekc7114 3 роки тому +19

      If the American went to Britain
      American Guy: I want tometoes please
      Waiter: The foreigner wants a potato in his salad

  • @lanamelnichuk4060
    @lanamelnichuk4060 5 років тому +209

    In Canada, we have a mix of the two. Some words use British prononciation. Some American. And some both, interchangeably.

    • @jefferytate8968
      @jefferytate8968 5 років тому +15

      No one cares about Canada 🤣

    • @dannygjk
      @dannygjk 4 роки тому +2

      @@jefferytate8968 Relevance?

    • @leahmaranto6146
      @leahmaranto6146 4 роки тому +22

      @@jefferytate8968 be nice! we care about everyone 😊

    • @jcrnda
      @jcrnda 4 роки тому +1

      That would probably kill my ex-GF, she once had a fit when I said "h-erb" with "h"!, she thought it was hilarious!

    • @HeartacheAndWhiskey
      @HeartacheAndWhiskey 4 роки тому +4

      I was looking for this comment. I flip flop between pronunciations. In Canada, we also use both spellings ...

  • @unicorncupcake6302
    @unicorncupcake6302 3 роки тому +9

    I've noticed and I think its been mentioned by some professionals that we, in America, change the stress of a word depending on if it is a noun or verb. For example I would use a different stress on the word defense depending on if I'm using it as a noun or a verb. Also, depending on where you live you may say "route" and "either" either way or both ways. I myself use both ways and I live closer to the West Coast.

    • @donmelvin6164
      @donmelvin6164 2 роки тому +1

      Exactly, Unicorn Cupcake. In general the noun is pronounced AD-dress. And the verb is pronounced ad-DRESS.

  • @ninahilton7623
    @ninahilton7623 2 роки тому +5

    Totally with you on American pronunciation of 'aunt', always takes me a minute to realise they're not tallking about a tiny crawly insect 😄

  • @aZakthatAttacks
    @aZakthatAttacks 5 років тому +302

    I'm really impressed how experienced and proficient you are at the standard American accent. Well done bro. Bonus points!

    • @roberttelarket4934
      @roberttelarket4934 4 роки тому +13

      Most Brits switch into unaccented undetectable American English easily but the reverse don't. The Americans sound affected!

    • @jesusisthetruth4497
      @jesusisthetruth4497 4 роки тому +1

      -ZakattacK- Ikr

    • @polarnj
      @polarnj 4 роки тому +6

      I love hearing brits do American accents. I’m not sure why it cracks me up but it does and they’re honestly really good at it! Often much better at doing our accent then we are at theirs! We usually mix up cockney and the more proper Londoner for some reason lol. Probably over exposure to the Beatles or something lol

    • @polarnj
      @polarnj 4 роки тому

      Robert Telarket we are totally awful at it for some reason. Strangely brits often sing in an American accent and the global dominance of American media over the last half century prob has a lot to do with it. It’s still a bit of a treat to hear a British accent in the states which is why we can’t really tell the different accents and tend to mix them all up which is why we suck at it

    • @Daniel-zq7gu
      @Daniel-zq7gu 4 роки тому +2

      You might be surprised to know that the Beatles came from Liverpool (4 hour drive from London) and many would be offended that someone say they had cockney or more proper London accents (they would call that accent posh). To me, it seems more likely classic British cinema gives Americans their idea of British accents, earlier in the last century there were almost no "non-posh" accents on TV in the UK. The BBC required presenters to speak "the Queen's English". It's only in relatively recent years TV has embraced the diverse accents in the UK (especially with some over the top annoying adverts!). Even still most popular British TV is set in or around London, so the modern southern UK accent is becoming more known by non British people. Not many non Brits would recognise a Scouser (from Liverpool), a Brummy (from Birmigham) or a Geordie (from Newcastle/Sunderland), even though they are some of the most obviously recognisable to native Brits. Americans can sometime recognise the difference between Scottish, Irish and English accents though (Welsh accents may be a bit difficult though)

  • @tessagebert9671
    @tessagebert9671 6 років тому +50

    For “address” in American English, it really depends on if you are using it as a noun or a verb. British English “address” is used as a verb, as in you address the person you are speaking to.

    • @tessagebert9671
      @tessagebert9671 6 років тому +7

      This is the same with defence/defense

    • @EatSleepDreamEnglish
      @EatSleepDreamEnglish  6 років тому

      Thanks for sharing that with us Tessa.

    • @morphobots
      @morphobots 6 років тому +1

      Tessa Gebert has a point.
      One would adDRESS a person or crowd. But one would need an ADDress in order to mail a letter.

    • @mdorneich
      @mdorneich 6 років тому +3

      with stress in American English can change the meaning DEfense is used for sports teams to defend and de FENSE is used for protection. For Aunt we used both AU sound and A sound depending what part of the country your from. Semi we use both pronunciations but in different circumstances as well same with verb and noun of address and record

    • @DeathBringer769
      @DeathBringer769 6 років тому +2

      Yup, often times our pronunciation will change depending on whether we're using the verb form or the noun form. Many pronunciations on this list we actually say both depending on the context. And that's without even factoring in regional differences yet ;)

  • @AdamSmith102938
    @AdamSmith102938 3 роки тому +16

    I ran across this since I've been interested in the differences in English for decades. For most of these differences, what he says is kinda-sorta true, but with many exceptions. For reference, I am an American Midwesterner, so I have the most well-known American accent. First: either-neither. You'll hear both pronunciations in the US, and I use both. Americans rarely say DEE-fense, although you will hear it in certain contexts (sports) and expressions ("The best DEE-fense is a good offense" is one). The "semee" and "sem-eye" difference isn't clear cut either. We use both. We also say both "root" and "rowt" for route with no preference for either. I go back and forth. The British also use the American pronunciation of garage and schedule sometimes, but tend to use the ones he mentioned. We also change the stress on address freely, sometimes using the "British" stress, sometimes the "American" one. I think a more helpful video would cover common patterns of differences that occur in words like direct and dimension, berry (strawberry, blueberry), and -ary (military and functionary). These individual word differences are only very rough generalizations.

    • @susandelongis885
      @susandelongis885 Рік тому +1

      I’m also from the Midwest and agree that I use both pronunciations without preferences.

    • @pgrigg
      @pgrigg Рік тому

      I agree with regional variations in the U.S., which has been mentioned elsewhere, and which Tom mentioned by saying he was going for more general American and London accents. I moved around the U.S. a lot as a small child, mostly on the East Coast, and then ended up on the West Coast. I remember choosing which pronunciations to use so as not to have to decide each time. ROOF was difficult for me because mine was closer to the American "Book" but not as far over as "ruff". A friend from California was once visiting Alabama in the South and thanked his host for the "Pie". They did not understand him until he pointed to it and they said, "Oh, the PA!" (with an "A" as in "PAL".) I love hearing all these variations, both American and British. When we watch a British murder mystery, we often have closed captions on the TV, especially if it's in the North of England : )

  • @PolskaBabii
    @PolskaBabii Рік тому +8

    Your American accent is actually really good - as far as aunt goes in America you hear as many people saying “aunt” as you hear “ant” that changes a lot over here…depending on the person really. Auntie - pronounced the British way but adding a “eee” to the end is also very common.

    • @davidpatrick2163
      @davidpatrick2163 11 місяців тому

      In the south, aint is a thing. Jane is my aunt, pronounced "ant". When I speak directly to her, it's Aint Jane.

  • @islandgirl3330
    @islandgirl3330 4 роки тому +44

    Being from the Caribbean, when I first came to NA, I felt that I was pronouncing everything wrong. I was not. I was using the British English pronunciation. Glad to see this video. I still use my British pronunciation for most words. Now I feel more confident.

  • @wizardlizard55555
    @wizardlizard55555 5 років тому +72

    For the word defense, it's more of a certain situation thing. If you said "defense" pertaining to sports, the stress would be on the first syllable. Meanwhile, if you said a phrase like "In my defense," the stress would be on the second syllable.

    • @Ras137
      @Ras137 4 роки тому +7

      Not to mention the DOD is is the Department of DeFENSE not DEfense.

    • @julesjaay822
      @julesjaay822 4 роки тому +4

      Absolutely true it’s just as you say. DEfense is just for sports.

    • @Terrell070
      @Terrell070 4 роки тому +2

      Agreed. Sports metaphors usually use the sports pronunciation even though the subject isn't sports.

    • @jesusisthetruth4497
      @jesusisthetruth4497 4 роки тому

      Emily :\ oh yeah

    • @Terrell070
      @Terrell070 4 роки тому +3

      Offense also has different pronunciations based on sports or not sports in American English.
      OFF-ense = Sports, and sports metaphors
      uh-FENSE = taking offense at something, other uses of offense.

  • @mastertofu
    @mastertofu 3 роки тому +9

    Me, a Singaporean, speaking both ways at different points because we learn British English but is exposed to a lot of American media online.

  • @ybrynecho2368
    @ybrynecho2368 Рік тому +3

    In Canada we use a combination of both pronunciations for the majority of these words. Also, in the US in some areas they pronounce "aunt" the British way. The reason for the different pronunciation of garage is due to the French influence on some N. American words. In Canada we pronounce Z as zed, although we hear zee daily on TV so zee is creeping into Canadian English as well. The rest of the words in your list can pretty much go either way in Canada. (BTW: Another word that can go either way in Canada is lieutenant. In the US they pronounce it Loo-tenant and in Canada it is properly pronounced Lef-tenant.)

    • @Cricket2731
      @Cricket2731 11 місяців тому

      There's NO "F" in lieutanant.

    • @ybrynecho2368
      @ybrynecho2368 11 місяців тому

      @@Cricket2731

    • @zidane8452
      @zidane8452 8 місяців тому

      So yall pronounce zebra the British or American way

  • @denmardeguzman9850
    @denmardeguzman9850 5 років тому +41

    As a Filipino, I used to believe that we used American English. But after watching your video, I got to know that we used both the American and British English. Thank you for this amazing video.

    • @LittleImpaler
      @LittleImpaler 5 років тому

      No, you Filipinos don't really speak English , you speak English like a Filipino. Filipinos don't speak English as a English speaker. You use "pieces" in the wrong content all the time. For example "I want four pieces of eggs." No, native speaker speaks this way. If you want four eggs. You just say, "I want four eggs."
      When Filipinos use any number of day. You never use first, second, third, never put th at the end of the number. Filipinos say December 25. No native speaker would say that, it would be "December 25th."
      The Philippines really needs native English speakers teaching them English, not Filipino English, which is not English.

    • @IamLion2000
      @IamLion2000 5 років тому

      @@LittleImpaler Did you say "English as "a" English speaker"? If you try to be a critic to someone for their bad English, first, be sure that yours is perfect. English as "an" English speaker is the correct grammar. now don´t tell me it was a typo. To Err is human, to criticize - be sure you are perfect.
      you might want to check this out...
      Dates | Writing Style Guide | Western Michigan University: wmich.edu/writing/rules/dates

    • @IamLion2000
      @IamLion2000 5 років тому

      @@LittleImpaler LittleImpaler
      LittleImpaler
      1 week ago
      No, you Filipinos don't really speak English , you speak English like a Filipino. Filipinos don't speak English as a English speaker. You use "pieces" in the wrong content all the time. For example "I want four pieces of eggs." No, native speaker speaks this way. If you want four eggs. You just say, "I want four eggs."
      When Filipinos use any number of day. You never use first, second, third, never put th at the end of the number. Filipinos say December 25. No native speaker would say that, it would be "December 25th."
      The Philippines really needs native English speakers teaching them English, not Filipino English, which is not English.

    • @menace6631
      @menace6631 5 років тому

      There are Filipinos who speak English fluently

    • @ChessMasterNate
      @ChessMasterNate 4 роки тому

      I can't believe the negative replies you got. I think this person just did not know most Americans use both forms of many of these, just as you do. The two years the British had Manila could not have done much. Just too short. The nearly 50 years of American influence is far more likely to be the source of English language in the Philippines.

  • @Lillyluvsanime
    @Lillyluvsanime 5 років тому +96

    In America both pronounciations of "adult" are used. Both "eithers" and "neithers" are used. Both versions of "aunt" are used. Both versions of "semi" are used. Both versions of "route" are used (for example you say *"root"* 66, not *"rowt"* 66) for the most part the differences in pronounciation for these is dependant on what region you're from, but can also differ based on the context.
    We use both versions of "address" and this one relies almost entirely on context, someone's home bears an ADDress, when you speak to a large group of people you are adDRESSing them.

    • @gayestsexhaver
      @gayestsexhaver 5 років тому +4

      Same here in Britain, but the point was to show the differences in language. If yall came to Britain you’d likely hear the British pronunciation more than the American, and (I’d assume) vice versa.

    • @TheKingOfInappropriateComments
      @TheKingOfInappropriateComments 5 років тому +1

      IF you are in the northeast US then you're going to hear root and coincidentally, mobyle is more common.

    • @honeymoon4130
      @honeymoon4130 5 років тому

      Yes 🤗

    • @Matkatnadam1
      @Matkatnadam1 5 років тому +1

      I think most of the people I know in the US say Semi like semee unless you talking about the truck which is Sem-eye. I also say either and neither like the British apparently

    • @dannyboy5086
      @dannyboy5086 5 років тому +4

      I'm glad someone else mentioned this. I also realized we (in the US) use both pronunciations for "defense", but generally use DE-fence in reference to sports while we say de-FENCE if we're talking about law or politics, e.g. our military's defense budget.

  • @normt6226
    @normt6226 Рік тому +5

    One thing i noticed , being French Canadian, is that due to the proximity between UK and France, the pronunciation of words are closer between British English and French than in the US, which are not much influenced by French...Like Tomato(tomate), Route ,Massage,Mayonnaise,Zebra(zebre)

  • @smfield
    @smfield 3 роки тому +14

    I suppose the pronunciations of some of these words depends on where in the US you live. For example, NJ we say Aunt like the Brits and herb with the h. And route is like root as well as roof with oo and not pronounced as in rough.

    • @Shayron1989
      @Shayron1989 2 роки тому +1

      Same in the UK. In Scotland we say aunt like he says ‘ant’ in the video. We also pronounce the ‘r’ in herb more than he does and in some places we add an extra vowel in words like ‘world’ so it sounds like ‘woruld’.

    • @justinthrockmorton7661
      @justinthrockmorton7661 2 роки тому

      I'm from NJ and I say aunt like ant, I say water like wooder, herb like erb, route is either root or route. Maybe I just speak weird lol

  • @wizardlizard55555
    @wizardlizard55555 5 років тому +173

    In America, I think we say "either" both ways depending on what we're feeling is right at the moment lol. For me, it's like how I sometimes say "data" different ways. But maybe that's just me.

    • @dannygjk
      @dannygjk 5 років тому +12

      Data is day-ta because according to the standard rule if it was spelled datta then it would be pronounced datta.

    • @Voliminal11C
      @Voliminal11C 4 роки тому +2

      Not just you! I do the same.

    • @mariafc3814
      @mariafc3814 4 роки тому +2

      That makes things so complicated for non native speakers

    • @potatertots2060
      @potatertots2060 4 роки тому +1

      Yeah same like I usually say ither but if I’m saying me either it’s eether

    • @Christian-ru6op
      @Christian-ru6op 4 роки тому +1

      Same with me and "route or root."

  • @hoojchoons6168
    @hoojchoons6168 6 років тому +89

    I'm a native of the US and we use both pronunciations of defense. In sports we always say defense, but anything related to military or national security is defence (as in Defence department or on the news talking about the National Defence). So context is equally as important with this word.
    Great video, and great American English pronunciations!

    • @AGyuh
      @AGyuh 6 років тому +10

      I find that this is the case with many of the other words as well. I would say "root 66 is the fastest rowt" if using phonetic spellings. Its all about the context.

    • @neponsetriver
      @neponsetriver 6 років тому +4

      hoojchoons It's 'Defense Department', never spelled with a 'C'. And you say you're a native of the US?

    • @SuperMagnetizer
      @SuperMagnetizer 6 років тому +1

      Right, but we never spell practice with an "s" here in the States, either. (EE-ðer).

    • @MrToradragon
      @MrToradragon 6 років тому

      Why you mix French title with fences? From Fence? Hmm, very American with you know what.

    • @aidanmacivor4881
      @aidanmacivor4881 6 років тому +2

      Let's address addresses now.

  • @hazelleblanc8969
    @hazelleblanc8969 Рік тому +3

    A correction and an addition: in New England, we pronounce route like you do, to rhyme with root not rout. In America, the word shone rhymes with bone. I was born in England, moved to Canada as a baby, and then the US at 6. I never realized I pronounced shone differently until I was an adult singing in our community choir. We were doing a piece composed by an expat Brit. I noticed I was pronouncing it differently and asked how we should pronounce it. Of course, they said the American pronunciation. They said, "Why would you pronounce it like that?" and I said,"How would you pronounce g-o-n-e?" When the composer came to listen to our rehearsal, I asked him how he would say it, and of course he used the British pronunciation. He'd never realized Americans said shone differently either. So we ended up using the British shone, which was good, because otherwise it wouldn't have rhymed with the word it was supposed to.

    • @margotconway8605
      @margotconway8605 4 місяці тому +1

      I was born in England, grew up in Canada and now live in USA.
      My Mum had her heavy British accent while living in Canada. I was so mixed up when I went to school in Canada because my Mum would say I was pronouncing words incorrectly. I was trying to speak England's English at home and Canadian English at school. It was nuts!

  • @pro369
    @pro369 Рік тому

    Great content. Glad to be led here, I really love this material. So glad, thank you so much. Never too late to learn. Happy to subscribe

  • @UnlistedAccount1
    @UnlistedAccount1 6 років тому +17

    5:10 We use both forms of the word here in the U.S. We use the British version when using it as a verb “The teacher had to address the issue.” We use the American version when talking about the location of a home “What is your home address?”

    • @EatSleepDreamEnglish
      @EatSleepDreamEnglish  6 років тому +2

      That's interesting - thanks for sharing Collin Clem.

    • @nathanberrigan9839
      @nathanberrigan9839 6 років тому +5

      Also, a speech (e.g. The Gettysburg Address) will use the "British" version.
      Similar situation with defense/defence. DEfense is a noun and deFENCE is a verb.

    • @eleanorswan2288
      @eleanorswan2288 6 років тому +3

      Same goes with either and neither.

    • @marieskee22
      @marieskee22 6 років тому +1

      I was gonna say the same thing, Collin!

    • @UnlistedAccount1
      @UnlistedAccount1 6 років тому +2

      Nathan Berrigan like “his friend came to his deFENCE” and “that team is playing great DEfence”

  • @haydenarias
    @haydenarias 6 років тому +228

    Your waiter must have been a bit slow in the head if they couldn´t make out the word tomato regardless of accent.

    • @TheMariemarie16
      @TheMariemarie16 6 років тому +9

      Hayden Arias Nope, my husband has a slight barely perceptable Caribbean accent and he uses some Brittish pronunciations as well due to how he grew up. Waiters, cashiers, everwhere they cannot understand him. They always say huh, or get things wrong but when ever I ask ppl if he has strong accent they say no.

    • @shelbyperry6241
      @shelbyperry6241 6 років тому +13

      That's what I was thinking. Everyone knows the two pronunciations of tomato. Lol

    • @Ladystardragon
      @Ladystardragon 6 років тому +8

      Hayden Arias Absolutely. I was going to say, what kind of idiot couldn't figure THAT out!!

    • @user-xr8rb1it4l
      @user-xr8rb1it4l 6 років тому +2

      Hayden Arias His waiter was probably an Hispaño playing juegos about not understanding him!

    • @ajs41
      @ajs41 6 років тому +5

      People from Latin America working in the US might not be able to understand British pronunciations because you're expecting them to effectively learn a third language.

  • @maryellenpetruccelli8408
    @maryellenpetruccelli8408 Рік тому +3

    Growing up in the New England, I pronounce many words you reviewed the same way the British do. I always said “aunts”, but my friends with Irish grandparents or parents always used “ants”. Sounded very weird to me.

  • @christinamorrison4049
    @christinamorrison4049 Рік тому +3

    My experience is that in "Water" and " tomato" the "T" is always pronounced as a "T", not as a "D" as you suggest. That may be due to regional differences, because in North Carolina (one of the original colonies) many of our words are pronounced more like our British cousins than in other areas of the U.S.

  • @desertfather7x7
    @desertfather7x7 4 роки тому +133

    Route is said 2 ways in America. A highway is pronounced root (Route 66 is Root 66). A delivery type of pattern is pronounced "raowt": as in newspaper delivery or postal service deliver is a "paper raowt" or "postal raowt". At least this is true in California and much of the west coast.

    • @CGirasol13
      @CGirasol13 4 роки тому +3

      Agreed! Same in Florida!

    • @jcrnda
      @jcrnda 4 роки тому +3

      Isn't it interesting how one word pronunciation ended up in two!
      Probably started changing around 40-50s but the song about Route 66 kept original pronunciation to highways at least

    • @mfiorito5550
      @mfiorito5550 4 роки тому +4

      I was born in CA, and I think I say Pirates of the Cari-BEE-in and then THE Ca-RIB-ean for Caribbean - all because of the Disney ride.

    • @nonaide
      @nonaide 4 роки тому +1

      Yep! Also we use both pronunciations for either and neither where I'm from

    • @brontewcat
      @brontewcat 4 роки тому

      That’s interesting.

  • @carlkarlson2175
    @carlkarlson2175 4 роки тому +366

    American: “I need a battery”
    Brit: *knocks him out*

    • @jesusisthetruth4497
      @jesusisthetruth4497 4 роки тому +3

      Carl Karlson oof

    • @AB-xx3jl
      @AB-xx3jl 4 роки тому +11

      Didn't understand

    • @riehafsah4469
      @riehafsah4469 4 роки тому +28

      @@AB-xx3jl battery also means assault or violence

    • @n.agustin113
      @n.agustin113 4 роки тому +10

      A baruhry = American

    • @polarnj
      @polarnj 4 роки тому +8

      Brits say it how? Like Bat-tree? That’s how they say it in Jersey City and the outer New York parts of New Jersey. But they also say “Tur-let” instead of “Toilet” for some reason. Half my family is 2nd gen Irish and from Jersey city and it’s fun to mock each other :).
      I’m pretty sure we know what battery is in the comment example however since we seem to be the leading industrial nation when it comes to assault, battery and most likely murder as well!
      All I know is that when I was in London i got along incredibly well after me and an Englishman at a bar got into a fist fight with some French “football” fans over them being creeps to a girl so we gladly were a coalition of the douche batterers :). I hope that guy and his buddies are still spending their evenings laughing and knocking down pints at the same pub!

  • @englishwitholgabond
    @englishwitholgabond 2 роки тому +2

    Love all your videos Tom, always incredibly interesting content!

  • @davidgolden1607
    @davidgolden1607 Рік тому +2

    Great video, I realize I am writing a bit after it first appeared, but I have just found your channel (which I enjoy immensely). As you note at the start of the video, there are many accents in both countries, so there are a variety of ways or pronouncing some of the words you chose. For instance, where I grew up (Northern New Jersey) we pronounce "water" to rhyme with "oughter". The "aw" sound you find in raw. I found your discussion of "semi" very interesting; it is true that most Americans will pronounce semi as you note, but if it is part of a compound word, say "semiconductor", the first part is usually pronounced the British way (se mee conductor). Growing up in New Jersey, we pronounced aunt as you describe (like the insect), but when I went to college in New England, everyone who grew up there pronounced it the British way. Finally, Americans will pronounce "route" both ways (rout and root). If you are not familiar with it, there is a well known American song about a famous highway, Route 66, and in that song, you get your kicks on "root" 66, not on "rout" 66. Anyway, I love your videos and find language and the many ways we express it to be endlessly fascinating. Thank you for your great work.

  • @j.dino.supreme953
    @j.dino.supreme953 4 роки тому +253

    7:34 We Americans pronounce "Dee-fense " only applicable in sporting events, esp. BASKETBALL. Other than that we say "Defense" normally.
    We don't say Secretary of "Dee-fense" , coz that sounds ridiculous!!!!!

    • @anonymousbanana204
      @anonymousbanana204 4 роки тому +3

      Not just sports but sure

    • @polarnj
      @polarnj 4 роки тому +3

      Yup. I just made the same exact comment lol. Shoulda read some first. Even mentioned the DOD just as u did but I think we say DE-fense in any situation where it is likely to be compared to offense such as sports or military etc. but i Totally hear ya

    • @quanbrooklynkid7776
      @quanbrooklynkid7776 4 роки тому

      Haha

    • @dannynorton8493
      @dannynorton8493 3 роки тому +2

      Yes, I can think of American usage with ' deefence' and say, ' national defence' being different.

    • @Dark-sy6ou
      @Dark-sy6ou 3 роки тому +5

      Americans speak English wrong don’t forget where the language came from

  • @BakaTaco
    @BakaTaco 5 років тому +158

    Never seen this man before... My first thoughts are... Danial Radcliffe.

    • @armoricain
      @armoricain 4 роки тому

      Oh, you're so right, he also reminded of an american TV personality whose name I forget...

    • @CaptainCoolzCT-
      @CaptainCoolzCT- 4 роки тому +6

      Looks nothing like the man.

    • @brucelafone2910
      @brucelafone2910 4 роки тому +3

      XBakaTacoX oh get outta here! Also pronounced: Expelliarmus!

    • @jesusisthetruth4497
      @jesusisthetruth4497 4 роки тому

      XBakaTacoX lol

    • @katkinson2829
      @katkinson2829 4 роки тому +1

      Something quite charming about him. Possibly his uncynical enthusiasm.

  • @jesselindsey1613
    @jesselindsey1613 11 місяців тому +1

    There are regional differences with "aunt" in the US. Where I live, in the New England region, we pronounce it the way you would describe as British. "Herb" is a loan word from French, which explains why we don't pronounce the "h". We do this with a lot of French loan words in the US. For a few others on your list, like "semi" and "route", you'll definitely find a lot of Americans using what you have characterized as British pronunciations as well.

  • @jer6151
    @jer6151 3 роки тому

    Truly appreciated! I’ve subscribed mate!

  • @mr.pr3mo76
    @mr.pr3mo76 6 років тому +63

    Nah dude I think your American accent is pretty spot on!!

  • @lilytwinklenoodle
    @lilytwinklenoodle 6 років тому +837

    I'm american and i say both eithers too!

    • @childsplay0618
      @childsplay0618 6 років тому +11

      Lily Twinklenoodle me too!!!

    • @mollym2584
      @mollym2584 6 років тому +6

      SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
      MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
      EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
      EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

    • @marypeasley2649
      @marypeasley2649 6 років тому +2

      Lily Twinklenoodle same

    • @andrzejgrabinski8262
      @andrzejgrabinski8262 6 років тому +9

      Neuro Demonio yeah aussies say "woodah"

    • @ruadhmacbradaigh4035
      @ruadhmacbradaigh4035 6 років тому +3

      I am American and was raised in Ireland and definitely switch between the two.

  • @maryanne1367
    @maryanne1367 3 роки тому +3

    It’s interesting to see where Canada falls. Somewhere in between

    • @manniebe1
      @manniebe1 2 роки тому

      Canadians for the most part, sound American. Sometimes they use the English way. Like the letter "Z" they say "Zed", unlike the American way, "Zee".
      Or pronouncing "Nikon" (the camera brand) "Neekon" while the Americans say "Nykan" or "Nykon"

  • @j.s.c.4355
    @j.s.c.4355 Рік тому +1

    I believe herb is an example where American has preserved the French pronunciation. Also, defense depends on whether you are taking Sport or Military. Sport: DEfense, Military: deFENSE.

  • @EmilyPie99
    @EmilyPie99 5 років тому +93

    Address, fiancé, aunt, either, defense, and route can be pronounced both ways in American English. Some of them depend on where you live in the US, but most of them either way would be accepted without anyone questioning it. I'm from Texas and this is just my observation. :)

    • @riggs20
      @riggs20 5 років тому +12

      Emily - Agreed. I'd pronounce it de-FENSE if we were talking about government, military, etc. Such as the "Department of Defense." But I'd say DEE-fense if we were talking about a sports team.

    • @matteikamp7474
      @matteikamp7474 5 років тому +5

      Yeah I think a bunch of examples in the video are wrong. I would never put the stress on "world" in "world cup" and I have no idea where he got that information. And many of the other pronunciations sound like regional variations that don't apply to all Americans, not even close.

    • @kansasgirl8371
      @kansasgirl8371 5 років тому +1

      So, according to your argument, the Scots don't speak proper English either?

    • @DrAnne-mc8er
      @DrAnne-mc8er 5 років тому

      + KansasGirl - According to who's argument? Give people a clue fool.

    • @darthkahnobis
      @darthkahnobis 5 років тому +5

      Dickie Chaznick as a professor of linguistics I’d think you’d know it’s “4th OF July” not 4th July! That sound worse than July 4th.

  • @jala5293
    @jala5293 6 років тому +148

    The waiter who didn’t know tomato with a long ‘a’ is just not a smart person.

    • @suscnc
      @suscnc 5 років тому +12

      J. A. E. Seriously. There's a whole song about it! Let's call the whole thing off. LOL

    • @jala5293
      @jala5293 5 років тому +2

      susan anne lol

    • @ecmiller27
      @ecmiller27 5 років тому +7

      Haha I was scrolling through the comments looking for someone who said this!

    • @maddness224
      @maddness224 5 років тому +1

      That's a short a

    • @malfunctious
      @malfunctious 4 роки тому +2

      Hmmmm. I believe you meant to say that the waiter who didn't understand "tomato" with a SHORT 'a' is just not a smart person. The British pronounce "tomato" with a SHORT 'a' (like in the word father) and Americans pronounce "tomato" with a LONG 'a' (like in the word bake). Since it was an American waiter who did not understand a British person, that would be the SHORT 'a' version that was not understood. Sometimes none of us are as smart as we think we are...

  • @veronicavero2036
    @veronicavero2036 3 роки тому

    All your videos are great and helpful. This one was rather entertaining. Thanks a lot ! 👍🏻

  • @mikecassell8953
    @mikecassell8953 Рік тому +1

    A lot of those British pronunciations are commonly used in America too. The British pronunciation of “Aunt” is most commonly used in parts of the American north east. In America, we say both “deFENSE” and “DEfence” depending on the context. “aDULT” is the most common pronunciation in America, though “ADult” is commonly used as well. Same with “ADDress” and “addRESS”. A lot of it depends on the region of America as well.

  • @thaleyuva
    @thaleyuva 6 років тому +101

    Yes, props on your American accent!

    • @EatSleepDreamEnglish
      @EatSleepDreamEnglish  6 років тому +4

      Hehe cheers Tanya : )

    • @Snerticus
      @Snerticus 5 років тому +7

      I thought the same thing too. I had to ask myself if you were really British! Your American accent was so good

    • @jaynebyng3278
      @jaynebyng3278 5 років тому +1

      Tanya Haley why do you say props? I always hear people say it but i don’t understand why. I know it’s a toned down congrats but I just don’t get it, any ideas?

    • @ladydi4runner
      @ladydi4runner 5 років тому

      @@jaynebyng3278 Yep, short for giving someone PROPer respect or PROPer recognition for something they said or did. :D

  • @danielortiz2890
    @danielortiz2890 5 років тому +58

    It should be noted that in the U.S., when we are referring to a mobile device (cellular phone), we don't call it a "mobile". Generally, we say "cell phone" or simply, "cell".

    • @dannygjk
      @dannygjk 5 років тому

      I don't call them phones anymore since they are now also computers so now I call them mobile device. They used to be just cell phones about 20-25 years ago.

    • @sophieminter0
      @sophieminter0 4 роки тому +2

      We do say mobile, but not "MO-bile" haha

    • @jacobtucker2063
      @jacobtucker2063 4 роки тому +11

      Most of the time I just hear people call them a phone. "I can't find my phone. Have you seen my phone? I need to charge my phone." If they are referring to what people used to call a phone - i.e. home phone - they say landline.

    • @jcrnda
      @jcrnda 4 роки тому +3

      @@jacobtucker2063 Correct! I've never heard anyone say "I need to charge my cell"
      lol

    • @jesusisthetruth4497
      @jesusisthetruth4497 4 роки тому +1

      Daniel Ortiz I say phone

  • @iliketowatch.
    @iliketowatch. 2 роки тому +2

    As an American with a degree in linguistics, I appreciate the use of IPA. I wish it was used more widely in discussions about language.

  • @amymarquis7815
    @amymarquis7815 3 роки тому +3

    I'm an American that spends a lot of time in England, and I have to applaud you for well your American English sounds.

    • @oahuhawaii2141
      @oahuhawaii2141 3 роки тому

      "that" => "who"; "for well" => "for how well".

  • @voluminous2
    @voluminous2 4 роки тому +522

    OMG how did ALUMINIYUM not make this list? 😂

    • @marshallmom1962
      @marshallmom1962 4 роки тому +14

      Absolutely!!!! This one cracks me up!!

    • @xd_vortex5736
      @xd_vortex5736 4 роки тому +10

      Aluminum

    • @cahinton.
      @cahinton. 4 роки тому +41

      Because that word is actually spelled differently, as well as pronounced differently.

    • @voluminous2
      @voluminous2 4 роки тому +9

      @@cahinton. I never realized there's an extra "i" in the British/Canadian version of the same word!

    • @user-il4br8du1s
      @user-il4br8du1s 4 роки тому +13

      Not alumini yum, but aluminium.Why the yum, just being funny?Or you thought that was the way it was spelled?

  • @ForrestAguirre
    @ForrestAguirre 5 років тому +90

    I lived in the UK (Beds) from age 15 through 18. I still use both pronunciations for many of these. You've done an excellent job of differentiating the pronunciations here. I still say "root" and am corrected to "route". To those who give this correction, I say "wanker".

    • @joeround533
      @joeround533 5 років тому +7

      Brilliant!! You carry on telling them "wanker"!! It IS "root"!

    • @averyhanken5000
      @averyhanken5000 5 років тому +3

      Lol I’m American and say “root”

    • @skyecairns3711
      @skyecairns3711 4 роки тому +3

      Americans sing root 66 (route 66) not rout 66

    • @sophieminter0
      @sophieminter0 4 роки тому +2

      En rout

    • @mfiorito5550
      @mfiorito5550 4 роки тому

      I say "raow-t" for everything else, but say "root" 66. Pirates of the Cari-BEE-an, and the Ca-RIB-ean for Caribbean.

  • @yet384
    @yet384 Рік тому

    Thank you so much ! So helpful

  • @stevebrooks7197
    @stevebrooks7197 Рік тому

    Great job on your analysis!

  • @ArusDaryl
    @ArusDaryl 6 років тому +30

    In american English (but possibly just California English aka "TV English"), the pronunciation of "Defense" actually changes based on the definition you're using.
    As a strategy, where "defense" is the opposite of "offense", you exaggerate the different syllable between the two words. This is so that you can hear your coach yell "'DEfense! Fall back!" and be more certain that he didn't say "OFFense".
    "Watch out, these guys are known to have strong DEfense players."
    "I'm better on DEfense than on OFFense."
    In politics, it's pretty much always "deFENSE", because there's no "Secretary of Offense" to cause misunderstandings. It's pronounced this way to more fluidly transition into "deFENSive" because any time a politician talks about "defense" as a noun, it's shorthand for "a defensive position/strategy". This difference is to mimic the difference between "OFFense", as an attribute, and "offENSE", as the intention to hurt someone's feelings.
    "In my deFENSE, nobody told me I couldn't do that."
    "Would the deFENSE attorney please make a statement."
    "Try to say it with less offENSE in your words."
    Third is video games, where "defense" is a stat or a strategy that helps your characters take less damage when attacked. As the opposite of "atTACK", "deFEND and deFENSE" mimic the same pronunciation. Still, online games are so globalized that everyone gets used to hearing and saying both, and games made from all over the world with have both versions voiced into the game's programming.
    "When you see the enemy atTACK, press [L] to switch to deFENSE mode."
    "You'll never survive the boss fight without at least 20 more points in your deFENSE."
    "Make sure you have armor with at least 100 DEfense." (either works)

    • @colinp2238
      @colinp2238 6 років тому

      I have heard Americans say offense with stress on the first syllable so the off is sounded more than we do in England. It's almost like we are saying a shorter word.

  • @quaidmciver172
    @quaidmciver172 6 років тому +67

    I’m American and I find myself using the British version of many of these words. I guess it depends on what part of the nation your from. Good video though.

    • @JulesVanDyck
      @JulesVanDyck 6 років тому

      Quaid McIver propably cuz you’re from the eastside!

    • @landslave8367
      @landslave8367 6 років тому +2

      The descendants of the original colonies do tend to use more British pronunciations, I have noticed. The way philadelphians say "water" and "garage" and "route" is more similar to British English.

    • @wubwaysesoterica
      @wubwaysesoterica 6 років тому +1

      Quaid McIver yeah, the entirety of europe could fit in the us, america has a ton of different accents, Im from minnesota and when I moved to Florida it was such a big change

    • @crystalgermann1730
      @crystalgermann1730 6 років тому

      Quaid McIver same here I'm from Illinois anyone else near there? Could explain it

    • @DeathBringer769
      @DeathBringer769 6 років тому

      +Landslave Yup, living in PA an hour north of Philly, also right on the border of NJ, I can confirm the water and garage stuff, lol. When he was saying this I was like "He should come around here. They say a mix of the first British syllable of "war" but then switch to the American version for the 2nd half." Heh. I've even heard some kids while growing up in school say "water" perfectly with the T sound and everything, overly enunciated. Sounds weird, but I've met people who say words super enunciated like that, like saying "important" with every T sound perfectly there and separated. If you say that word yourself, most of us brush over the letters without giving it too much thought. It starts to sound weird if you emphasize the first and last T extra hard in "important" but hey, I've heard people speak that way :D

  • @histrion2
    @histrion2 3 роки тому +3

    I'm from the US Midwest and I also use both pronunciations of "either" and "neither." I'm not even sure when I switch.

  • @nancyterrywhittemore2015
    @nancyterrywhittemore2015 Рік тому

    I'm really liking this channel, and I just subscribed. Thank you, Tom

  • @emilygee6618
    @emilygee6618 6 років тому +210

    The "address" one is kinda weird here in America, when we are talking about a house address we say it A-ddress but when talking about paying attention to a subject we say we address it! So we say both ;)

    • @DeathBringer769
      @DeathBringer769 6 років тому +6

      In many of these examples we say both either depending on context (like what you mentioned) or since we have so many differing accents (like the water example) I've heard people say countless different ways over here, including the "British" pronunciation he said I've heard over here plenty of times as well, just depending on the accent. The word "water" is one of the most widely differing pronunciations across America actually depending on accent, lol. "Milk" gets said differently a lot too, as well as the word "crayon."

    • @tkchavez1552
      @tkchavez1552 6 років тому +16

      It’s usually based on if it’s used as a noun or a verb in America.

    • @poit57
      @poit57 6 років тому +3

      Deathbrewer, I can''t think of different ways an American would say "water" (other than a New Englander or a southerner dropping the R, but I think the T would still sound more like a D compared to the British pronunciation. . How can a single-syllable word like "milk" with only one vowel have different pronunciations?

    • @emilygee6618
      @emilygee6618 6 років тому

      Todd Nicholson, yea I don't know. The only other pronunciation of milk that I've heard is "melk" with more of an E sound. And my little cousin says "miwk" but that doesn't really count ;)

    • @interrobang832
      @interrobang832 6 років тому +3

      "Address" used as a noun pronounces (stress on the first syllable) differently from "Address" used as a verb (stress on the second syllable).

  • @peterartboy
    @peterartboy 5 років тому +55

    One that always makes me smile is the word: buoy. In UK it's pronounced 'boy' but in US it' pronounce buee. Ha, ha, love it.

    • @armoricain
      @armoricain 4 роки тому +6

      In the USA, they pronounce it almost the French way; In French, buoy is 'bouée' which is pronounced "booeigh".

    • @TheInkPitOx
      @TheInkPitOx 4 роки тому

      I'm reading a travelogue where the guy is an American who has lived in Britain for years. He commented on that. His name is Bill Bryson. He's noted for his humorous travelogues.

    • @missharry5727
      @missharry5727 2 роки тому

      That one totally threw me on a trip (to New Brunswick actually) with an American guide.

    • @stevenhoskins7850
      @stevenhoskins7850 2 роки тому

      We also say BOO-ee for David Bowie. My wife is a Londoner. She's never mentioned the buoy thing to me. She always laughs at the way I say "mirror".

    • @Julia-nl3gq
      @Julia-nl3gq Рік тому

      Here in Canada, we also say 'boy'. The first time I heard 'boo-ee', I was like whhaaaat?

  • @tonyedwards660
    @tonyedwards660 Рік тому +1

    Great video! I’m an American and I use both pronunciations for defen(s/c)e, just depending on context. If it’s in the context of sports, I say DEE-fence, for example, “The basketball team played lousy defense.” However if it’s in the context of military/politics, I go with the British pronouncation de-FENCE as in “Lloyd Austin is the Secretary of Defense.” I think this is a common thing here in the states, at least in the southeast where I live.

  • @fergisibrian2416
    @fergisibrian2416 3 роки тому

    Im going to do a presentation on the UK and this was very helpful! Thank you!

  • @harambenights1051
    @harambenights1051 6 років тому +67

    American pronunciation on some of these words varies depending on which state you live in.

    • @roberthealey3449
      @roberthealey3449 6 років тому +3

      Also depends where in the British Isles a person is from. I'm from Lancashire (north west) And the way words are pronounced varies vastly just a few miles apart.

    • @bilalized
      @bilalized 6 років тому +2

      And that’s what he mentioned right at the beginning of this video

    • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823
      @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 3 роки тому +1

      Go far south enough and NOTHING will make any sense at all.

    • @joesmith4251
      @joesmith4251 2 роки тому

      Goto to Pittsburgh and see how these words are butchered 😂

  • @SaraMakesArt
    @SaraMakesArt 6 років тому +36

    I'm American and the only time I've heard people pronounce "defense" with the strong "d" sound is in the context of Defense in sports. In every other use of the word, most people pronounce the first syllable with a schwa sound.

    • @Snerticus
      @Snerticus 5 років тому +5

      Yeah, when you use the word defense along with the word offense you usually put the stress on the first part of the word in the US. Any other usage, like Department of Defense, is put on the second syllable. I never really thought about that before, but it's true!

    • @madjaster9620
      @madjaster9620 5 років тому

      Sara Makes Art yeah. Us Americans say the British defense. Brits are the ones that say the American defense. He sorta switched it

    • @maxheadroom1207
      @maxheadroom1207 5 років тому

      Exactly, like if we Americans would say something like missile defense or defense mechanism we would say it without the "d" sound. But is were to say something like Lebron James is playing good Defense we would go to the "d" sound.

    • @SaraMakesArt
      @SaraMakesArt 5 років тому +2

      Brian I think this guy needs to educate himself more on how Americans really talk.

    • @stevenpoe640
      @stevenpoe640 5 років тому

      And sometimes, in the southern US, it refers to a barrier around your yard. "The dog jumped over defense."

  • @SergioGarcia-md6gc
    @SergioGarcia-md6gc 2 роки тому

    Excellent explanation and comparison. Perfect sounds man, I'm going to apply this comparison in my classes, if you let me...hehe. A hug for you buddy from Argentina

  • @gennadiyzhidkov5737
    @gennadiyzhidkov5737 Рік тому

    Thanks, very useful!

  • @carlomartello9365
    @carlomartello9365 5 років тому +26

    WTH!! "zed"?? As a kid at school, in Italy, my english teacher taught me "zed", but then my american friends would tease me for that, so I thought I was taught wrong! I'm so happy I was right all time long! Long live British English!

    • @cheeks6310
      @cheeks6310 4 роки тому +3

      Think the English would be the go to given that's where the language originates from. You were right! But never call Jay-Z Jay-zed lol

    • @AO-ip6yx
      @AO-ip6yx 4 роки тому +3

      You were wrong since Z is always pronounced “zee” when it is used in a word, it’s literally never pronounced “zet ” in a word in either language.

    • @Christian-ru6op
      @Christian-ru6op 4 роки тому +1

      @@cheeks6310 English didnt originate in england it originated out of German and French languages therefore the americans are more correct in their pronunciation than the british. The Americans tend to keep words closed to the original Germanic languages

    • @AB-xx3jl
      @AB-xx3jl 4 роки тому +2

      @@Christian-ru6op it isn't true because after English have colonized America, more other nations started go there so their English is "modified" because of all the different nationalities of the people. And by the way, American English came after, British English

    • @anonymousbanana204
      @anonymousbanana204 4 роки тому

      @@AB-xx3jl still "Zed" sounds pretty weird and zee sounds just about right

  • @rjstevens9802
    @rjstevens9802 4 роки тому +6

    Pretty good American accent. Speaking of accents, I’ve noticed that at least where I’m from in America; the state of Michigan we tend to pronounce a lot words closer to British English. It’s often referred to as “The Michigan Accent” or sometimes “The Midwestern Accent”, in Michigan we tend to drop “T’s” and “D’s” in certain words and use a glottal stop quite often. We do this basically to make words easier/quicker to say, also we sometimes have a nasal sound with a lot of words. We’re also know to “mash” words closer together, the best example of this is “The Secretary of State” (in other states it’s known as the D.M.V. or “The Department of Motor Vehicles” which is basically where you get your driver’s license, license plates for your vehicle, passport etc.) in Michigan however for some reason The Secretary of State somehow becomes “The Secretariuh State”.

    • @VolaraNyghte
      @VolaraNyghte Рік тому

      Same with portions of N. Indiana..

  • @mariawebb2490
    @mariawebb2490 Рік тому +1

    Basil and aluminum are very different.
    Coming from the southeastern U.S. we frequently use both the British and American version of the words you listed. Except for zebra, tomato, and schedule.

  • @christina1stallings
    @christina1stallings 2 роки тому +2

    In the U.S., defense is pronounced differently depending on whether it is a noun or a verb. Also, I apparently have several British pronunciations. Curiously, when I was growing up - at least from 7th grade and above - I kept "misspelling" several words. I later learned that I spell them the British way. For example, harbour vs. harbor.

  • @marleycymon3512
    @marleycymon3512 5 років тому +219

    I'm American and I don't even pronounce Mayonaise all the way. I say manaise

  • @dsa2591
    @dsa2591 6 років тому +38

    We say DEfense and DeFENSE, depending on how it is used. The first one is used a lot in sports (DEfensive players), but the second is used in talking about the military (like in Department of DeFENSE).

    • @EatSleepDreamEnglish
      @EatSleepDreamEnglish  6 років тому

      Ah that's interesting. Thanks for sharing with us D A.

    • @gabbymariet4107
      @gabbymariet4107 6 років тому

      This is 100% how it is in American English. Only DEfence when talking sports.

    • @NecroAsphyxia
      @NecroAsphyxia 6 років тому +1

      Gabby starting over! I think the difference is actually in conText (even outside of sports). For instance, if someone was aggressive and changing tactics, often you will here they are going on the DEfence. But when you are describing an attribute, like the strength of a military fortifcation, it is often said as their deFENCE is quite strong.

  • @Khyranleander
    @Khyranleander 11 місяців тому

    Dunno how atypical my accent is, but I tend to switch up some of those. "In defense of" & prefix "semi-" tend to UK's, "on the defense" or "semi truck" tend to US's. Both & get used where I am in PA, as do & for a stream. But then, we're right where 3+ isoglosses meet & used to get Canadian BBC TV in the 70s.

  • @marlenalinne7958
    @marlenalinne7958 2 роки тому

    Thank you, Tom, for another great video. I always learn something from you.

  • @AarononYoutube
    @AarononYoutube 6 років тому +43

    90% of these we use both pronunciations in America.

    • @livrelover
      @livrelover 6 років тому

      bis225 I agree with you on all but herb. I have heard plenty of people who live in America or are American say it with an 'h' sound.

    • @ChessMasterNate
      @ChessMasterNate 4 роки тому

      @bis225 East coast there are people who use the other tomato. But mostly you are correct.

  • @shanedelaney8957
    @shanedelaney8957 4 роки тому +20

    USA do use ''route'' as ''root'' , route 66 for example.

    • @fbah123
      @fbah123 4 роки тому

      This is so confusing because I'd pronounce "route" like "ra-wt". And "root" as "root"

  • @SecretSquirrelFun
    @SecretSquirrelFun 3 роки тому +1

    When you grow up with one English parent and one American parent and your pronunciation (as well a lot of descriptive words) is/are all over the place. With my father (American) I was always really aware of the different syllable stresses - my favourite syllable word my dad said was “TV”. He always stressed the “T” more and I still smile when I think about that 🙂. All my life, people have asked me where I’m from. No body believed that I was born in Australia. Gahhhhh, it’s even confusing ME now just thinking about it and writing it down. Thanks so much for sharing your videos with me. I really enjoy them, and appreciate the effort you put into each one. Thanks 🙂🐿

  • @sasikumarkb497
    @sasikumarkb497 Рік тому +1

    Very nice. Appreciated. Words like tomato, semi, anti, defense, aunt, world cup, water etc and the way they are being pronounced by Brits and Americans. Well explained. 👍 This will help everyone to get accustomed with the Brits and American pronunciation so easily and never get a chance to make mistakes. I am going to become your subscriber so that I can learn more words Brits and Americans pronounce differently from your tutorial. Thank you!

  • @TinnaN2TheAfterlife
    @TinnaN2TheAfterlife 5 років тому +22

    British, it is torch, American, it is Flashlight.
    British, fire brigade
    American, fire Department.

  • @larissa4984
    @larissa4984 6 років тому +48

    I‘m Swiss and I‘ve just realized that I‘m speaking a mix between British and American english😂🤷🏻‍♀️

    • @cheese69
      @cheese69 5 років тому +3

      pink unicorn I’m American and speaking a mix lmao

    • @sirgg3847
      @sirgg3847 5 років тому +1

      pink unicorn Same here..non English Speakers often do this.cz that makes it easy to speak

    • @klaviergavin9936
      @klaviergavin9936 5 років тому +1

      pink unicorn
      Me too, guess we picked the things we liked out and then started using those.
      Greetings from Germany. ;D

  • @edlacy56
    @edlacy56 Рік тому

    Address: We say it both ways in the US. There is a tendency to differentiate between verb and noun usage by the difference in pronunciation: ad-DRESS the envelope by putting your AD-dress on it But this is complicated too by regional pronunciation differences.

  • @nitzacrespo2014
    @nitzacrespo2014 2 роки тому

    Thank you for your very interesting and great video. Believe or not I learned a lot from it. Now I understand why people pronounce words differently at times. Without realizing it, they are combining both forms of pronunciations in a sentence.
    Your pronunciation is fantastic on both!

  • @pascale110
    @pascale110 4 роки тому +64

    "Route" is pronounced both ways is the US as well as in Canada, " Root and Rowt".

    • @tuppencepetey
      @tuppencepetey 4 роки тому +7

      NO! In Canada, we only pronounce "route" as root. "Rout" (rowt) has no "e" and only means "to defeat utterly." Example: The Romans routed the enemy.

    • @pascale110
      @pascale110 4 роки тому

      Fiddle DeeDee Route is a noun and a verb and in America is used both ways ( root and rowt ) same here in Canada . Do you say rooted or rowted ? I personally say rooted. Canadian and Americans have similar dialects.

    • @tuppencepetey
      @tuppencepetey 4 роки тому +2

      ​@@pascale110
      In British English, and also in CANADIAN English, the standard pronunciation of ROUTE rhymes with shoot and hoot.)
      In US English, there are two distinct pronunciations of the word ROUTE, referring to a "way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination."
      For Americans, it is acceptable to pronounce the word ROUTE as either rOOt or rOWt.
      Today, the pronunciation of route as rOWt (rhyming with out) is more prevalent in the US

    • @bmw803
      @bmw803 4 роки тому +3

      @@tuppencepetey It depends what part of the country you are. many areas of the US where it's pronounced ROOT. Canadians are the same. It all depends what part of the country you are.

    • @rosalindduhon1896
      @rosalindduhon1896 3 роки тому

      We say cell never mobile
      E.g. where’s your cell?

  • @criskity
    @criskity 6 років тому +34

    In American English, "defense" is pronounced with the stress on the first or second syllable, but in different circumstances. If we're talking about warfare (defense spending), law (a vigorous defense; self-defense), and academia (thesis defense), the stress is on the second syllable. In team sports, it's on the first syllable, and it probably originated as a vocal contrast to "offense".

    • @mosherosenthal4321
      @mosherosenthal4321 6 років тому +1

      Correct, I think your sports proposal is probably correct.

    • @johnvonundzu2170
      @johnvonundzu2170 6 років тому

      Certainly the dee-fense pronunciation was introduced to the general US culture by African-Americans in sport. 50 years ago no "establishment" person outside the deep south would have dreamed of saying "Dee-fense.

    • @lunarman29
      @lunarman29 5 років тому

      LOL football 'OF-fense' versus minor traffic 'OfFENSE' - same thing!

  • @melissasammy6702
    @melissasammy6702 3 роки тому +1

    It's also important to note that, in America, the region you live in will affect your pronunciation of certain words. The words "water" and "oil" for example, will be pronounced differently among Mid-Westerners, those in New England, West Coast folks, and Southerners.

  • @histrion2
    @histrion2 3 роки тому +1

    Also, Americans stress different syllables of 'address' and 'defense' depending on the situation. As a verb, 'to address,' we emphasize the second syllable. In noun form, which syllable I stress depends on context and the surrounding words: "What's your AD-dress?" but "the Gettysburg ad-DRESS." And in some phrases, like "mailing address" or "email address," I've heard both (and maybe even used both).