DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
BRITISH ENGLISH

British English is the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom or, more broadly,
throughout the British Isles. Slight regional variations exist in formal, written English in the United
Kingdom.

English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain
by Germanic settlers from various parts of what is now northwest Germany and the northern Netherlands.
The resident population at this time was generally speaking Common Brittonic—the insular variety of
continental Celtic, which was influenced by the Roman occupation. This group of languages (Welsh,
Cornish, Cumbric) cohabited alongside English into the modern period, but due to their remoteness from
the Germanic languages, influence on English was notably limited.

AMERICAN ENGLISH

American English sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the
English language native to the United States and widely adopted in Canada. English is the most widely
spoken language in the United States and is the common language used by the federal government,
considered the de facto language of the country because of its widespread use. English has been given
official status by 32 of the 50 state governments.

AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH

Australian English is a major variety of the English language, used throughout Australia. Although
English has no official status in the constitution, Australian English is the country’s national and de facto
official language as it is the first language of the majority of the population.

Australian English began to diverge from British English after the founding of the Colony of New South
Wales in 1788 and was recognized as being different from British English by 1820. It arose from the
intermingling of early settlers from a great variety of mutually intelligible dialectal regions of the British
Isles and quickly developed into a distinct variety of English.

CANADIAN ENGLISH

Canadian English is the set of varieties of English native to Canada. According to the 2011 census,
English was the first language of approximately 19 million Canadians (57% of the population) the
remainder of the population were native speakers of Canadian French (22%) or other languages
(allophones, 21%).

The term “Canadian English” is first attested in a speech by the Reverend A. Constable Geikie in an
address to the Canadian Institute in 1857. Canadian English is the product of five waves of immigration
and settlement over a period of more than two centuries. The first large wave of permanent English-
speaking settlement in Canada, and linguistically the most important, was the

influx of loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, chiefly from the Mid-Atlantic States – as such, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia.
Canadian English is believed by some scholars to have derived from northern American English.
INDIAN ENGLISH

English public instruction began in India in the 1830s during the rule of the East India Company (India
was then, and is today, one of the most linguistically diverse regions of the world). In 1835, English
replaced Persian as the official language of the Company.

Lord Macaulay played a major role in introducing English and western concepts to education in India. He
supported the replacement of Persian by English as the official language, the use of English as the
medium of instruction in all schools, and the training of English-speaking Indians as teachers.

The view of this language among many Indians has gone from associating it with colonialism to
associating it with economic progress, and English continues to be an official language of India, albeit
with an Indian twist, popularly known as Indian English.

PHILIPPINE ENGLISH

Philippine English is any variety of English (similar and related to American English) native to the
Philippines, including those used by the media and the vast majority of educated Filipinos. English is
taught in schools as one of the two official languages of the country, the other being Filipino (Tagalog).

Philippine English has evolved tremendously from where it began decades ago. Some decades before
English was officially introduced, if not arguably forced, to the Philippines, the archipelagic nation has
been subject to Spanish rule and thus Spanish was the language of power and influence. However, in
1898, when the Spanish gave the United States control of the nation, the English language, although
initially not favored, became widely used in a matter of years, which was catalyzed by the coming of
American teachers.

UGANDAN ENGLISH

Ugandan English, or Uglish (pronounced you-glish), is the dialect of English spoken in Uganda. As with
similar dialects spoken elsewhere, Ugandan English has developed a strong local flavor. The speech
patterns of Ugandan languages strongly influence spoken English. Uganda has a large variety of
indigenous languages, and someone familiar with Uganda can readily identify the native language of a
person speaking English. Ugandan speakers will alter foreign words to make them sound more euphonic.
 DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMPLES

PRONOUNCIATION

Word American British Comment

The shortened forms also differ: US "ad" vs.

advertisement AD-ver-tighz-muhnt uhd-VER-tihs-muhnt
UK "advert".

basil BAY-zuhl BA-zuhl Canada follows British pronunciation.

data DAY-tuh / DAT-uh DAY-tuh Australia: DAH-tuh

garage guh-RAHZH GA-rahj or GA-rihj sometimes in Canada as : "graj" (one syllable)

leisure LEE-zhuhr LEH-zhuhr

oregano uh-REH-guh-noh o-rih-GAH-noh

Australia and Singapore follow American

privacy PRY-vuh-see PRIH-vuh-see
pronunciation.

Many places pronounce the networking

rhymes with "shout" or device called a "router" to rhyme with
route rhymes with "shoot"
"shoot" "shouter", even if they may otherwise follow
the British pronunciation of "route".

Australia and Singapore follow American

schedule SKE-jool SHED-yool
pronunciation.

Australia and Singapore follow American

valet val-ay val-ay or VAL-it
pronunciation.

In some parts of Scotland, you'll occasionally

Z (letter) zee zed hear it called "izzard".
Canada follows British pronunciation.

GET IN/AROUND

U.S. UK Notes
 Singapore/Malaysia: "air steward[ess]"
flight attendant air host[ess] "Stewardess" was used in the U.S. up to the 1980s, but today is
considered outdated and arguably sexist.

bus bus / coach UK distinguishes between local "buses" (such as city buses or school
buses) and long-distance "coaches" (such as National Express or
Greyhound). In the U.S. "bus" is generally used for all of these.

first class business class When referring to seating on short-haul or domestic flights. U.S.
"business class" refers primarily to international long-haul business
class with lie-flat seats; UK "first class" refers to a class more expensive
and luxurious than business class.
All other countries follow British usage.

car (rail travel) carriage / coach

downtown city centre In some places may be called the "CBD" (short for Central Business
District) or just the "city".

first floor ground floor UK "first floor" means "first above the ground floor", which is called
the "second floor" in the U.S. Hotels tend to label floors like "lobby",
"mezzanine", "pool", etc., which may or may not be counted in place
of numbered floors.

carry-on bag hand luggage

main street high street A primary road lined with shops in the central commercial district.

elevator lift

overhead
compartment / overhead locker
overhead bin

sidewalk pavement Australia: "footpath". In North America "pavement" is a mass noun

referring to the substance (usually asphalt) used to cover a surface
(usually a road, but also parking lots, etc.).

crosswalk pedestrian UK "zebra crossing" refers exclusively to uncontrolled crossings with

crossing / zebra striped road markings and Belisha beacons (flashing amber/orange
crossing lights atop black and white poles)

round-trip (ticket) return U.S. "return" refers to the return leg itself.

coach [class] / standard class / The lowest class of seating on a plane or train.
economy class economy class

[pedestrian] subway As a pedestrian tunnel under a busy road or railroad. Singapore

underpass follows U.S. usage.
streetcar / trolley tram U.S. "streetcar" is always in mixed traffic (and often a rather short line)
whereas many trams have dedicated rights of way and would likely be
labeled "light rail" in the U.S.

subway / metro underground / "Metro" is the most commonly used term for similar systems
/ local acronyms metro internationally, and is used in places like Montreal, Washington,
D.C. and Newcastle upon Tyne.
The London Underground is colloquially known as "the Tube",
while Glasgow's is called a "subway".
In many cities, the local public transit system has a more or less well
known acronym often ending in TA (transit authority) or RT (rapid
transit/rail transit), as in BART in the Bay Area.

CAR
U.S. UK Notes

blinker / turn signal indicator / signal

carpool car sharing South Africa: "lift scheme"

carsharing car club As in self-service short-term (often hourly) car rentals.

coupe coupé
(pronounced KOOP) / (pronounced koo-
2-door PAY or KOO-pay) / 2-
door

divided highway dual carriageway

drunk driving / DUI / drink-driving U.S. "DUI" and "DWI" are acronyms for "driving under the
DWI influence" and "driving while intoxicated", respectively. In
colloquial speech all three of the listed terms are
synonymous, but in legal uses the specific terminology
and definition of "DUI" and/or "DWI" vary from state to
state.

gas / gasoline petrol UK "gas" refers to liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

gas [pedal] accelerator

gas station filling station / petrol Singapore: "petrol kiosk". Canada: also "gas bar".
station U.S.: the gas station's pumps are on concrete pads known
as "islands"; UK: the filling station's petrol pumps are in
the "forecourt".

hood (of a car) bonnet

median central reservation

 U.S. UK Notes

minivan people carrier Australia and New Zealand follow U.S. usage. Singapore:
"minibus / minivan"

overpass flyover U.S. "flyover" generally refers to not just an overpass but
a complex interchange with ramps.

parking brake handbrake

parking lot [open-air] car park Singapore "parking lot" refers to a parking space.

parking garage / [multi-storey] car Canada: "parkade"; New Zealand: "parking building"
parking deck / parking park
ramp

to pass to overtake New Zealand distinguishes between "passing" in traffic

lanes on your side of the road, and "overtaking" by
moving into the lane with oncoming traffic.

pavement road surface / tarmac Australia: "bitumen" is sometimes used instead. U.S.
"tarmac" commonly refers to airport surfaces where
airplanes move.

pickup [truck] no particular usage; South Africa: "bakkie". Australia and New Zealand: "ute"
see notes (pronounced yoot) is either a pickup truck, or a coupé
pickup (similar to the Chevrolet El Camino). Pickup trucks
are extremely uncommon in the UK, and don't have a
specific name. Singapore follows U.S. usage.

to rent to hire Australia and New Zealand use both terms

interchangeably. Singapore follows U.S. usage. Also U.S.
"rental car" vs UK "hire car".
U.S. "to hire (a vehicle)" is used only in the sense of
vehicles that come with a driver, such as taxis, limousines,
etc.

sedan / 4-door saloon / 4-door Australia and New Zealand follow U.S. usage.

[service] shop / repair garage Australia, New Zealand and Singapore follow U.S. usage.
shop / mechanic

side view mirror wing mirror

speed bump speed bump / hump / New Zealand: "speed bump" (long) or "judder bar" (short)
sleeping policeman

[station] wagon estate car Australia, New Zealand and Singapore follow U.S. usage.

stick / stick shift / manual Also sometimes called "standard", even in the U.S. and
 U.S. UK Notes

manual (transmission) other countries where the vast majority of cars have
automatic transmissions.

truck lorry U.S. term has multiple meanings; see notes below. UK
road signs refer to "HGVs" (which stands for "Heavy
Goods Vehicles"). Australia and New Zealand follow U.S.
usage, though really long trucks in Australia are also
known as "road trains". Singapore distinguishes between
smaller "lorries" and larger "trucks".

trunk (of a car) boot

undivided highway single carriageway

windshield windscreen

yield give way

Buy
U.S. UK Notes

bill (money) note "Note" is short for "banknote", which is the official term used in all English-
speaking countries

cash register till U.S. "till" refers specifically to a money drawer, such as that of a cash register
or a bank teller's station.

checking current Depending on location, may also be spelled "chequing account" or called a
account account "cheque account". Canadian banks offer "chequing accounts" to individuals
but "current accounts" to businesses.

fanny pack bum bag UK "fanny" is obscene slang for female genitalia.
Singapore: "waist pouch" or just "pouch"

jumper pinafore
[dress]

line (of people queue People in the New York City area stand "on line"; elsewhere in the U.S. they
waiting) stand "in line". U.S. uses "queue" only as an abstract concept (e.g. "job
queue" for a printer).

mall shopping U.S. "shopping center" usually refers to a complex of retail

centre stores without interior corridors, though this can vary regionally and can also
be called a "strip mall", "mini-mall", or "plaza".
 U.S. UK Notes

pants trousers UK "pants" refers to underwear. Australia, New Zealand and Singapore use
both terms interchangeably.

panties knickers Australia and New Zealand use both terms interchangeably. Singapore
follows U.S. usage.

pump court shoe

(women's
shoe)

shopping cart [shopping] In New Zealand you'll also hear "trundler". In the U.S. "shopping cart" is
trolley widespread, but you may also hear "buggy" in the South and in the older
generations of the Midwest and "shopping carriage" in southern New
England. U.S. "trolley" may refer to a streetcar or a bus built to outwardly
resemble an old style streetcar.

sneakers / trainers Singapore: "track shoes"; Philippines: "rubber shoes"

athletic shoes
/ tennis shoes

sweater jumper UK may also use "tank top" to refer to a sleeveless jumper (U.S. "sweater
vest")

tank top vest / singlet

tuxedo dinner jacket "Dinner jacket" can be abbreviated to "DJ", and "tuxedo" can be shortened
/ dinner suit to just "tux".

vest waistcoat

Eat
U.S. UK Notes

appetizer / starter Australia: "entrée". In Commonwealth countries except Canada, an

starter "appetiser" refers to an even smaller dish consumed before the starter, which
may also be called one of three French-derived terms: amuse-bouche, hors
d'œuvre or canapé.

arugula rocket /
roquette

to broil / to to grill Broiling means the heat source is above the food; grilling means the heat
grill source is below the food. UK does not make the distinction between the two.

candy sweets Australia/New Zealand: "lollies"

 U.S. UK Notes

check bill Canada follows British usage.

(restaurant)

chips crisps See notes below.

cookies biscuits Britain distinguishes hard "biscuits" from soft "cookies". U.S. "biscuit" is
similar to a savory scone.

corn maize See notes below. Southern Africa: "mealie"

corned beef salt beef In the UK, "corned beef" refers to "bully beef". Australia/New Zealand follow
U.S. usage.

cotton candy candy floss Australia: "fairy floss"

dessert dessert / U.S. "pudding" without qualification usually means the same as UK "custard"
pudding / or "blancmange".
sweet

eggplant aubergine India/Singapore/Malaysia: "brinjal". Australia follows U.S. usage.

entrée / main main course In English-speaking areas outside the U.S, "entrée" would generally be
course understood to be a synonym of "starter".

[French] fries chips See notes below.

ground beef / minced

hamburger beef / beef
[meat] mince

Jell-O jelly "Jell-O" is a trademarked brand of gelatin desserts, although the term is
widely used generically in the U.S. and Canada.

jelly jam U.S. "jam" contains fruit flesh and "jelly" is filtered to just the thickened juice,
with pectin (and often sugar, etc.) added.

ketchup / tomato Usage may vary. "Tomato sauce" is more common in Australia, New Zealand,
catsup sauce / India, and South Africa. Wales, Scotland, and parts of England may use "red
ketchup sauce". Depending on context, "tomato sauce" can also mean Italian sauces
(e.g. Neapolitan, marinara). The spelling "catsup", while still occasionally seen
in the U.S., is becoming increasingly uncommon.

napkin serviette UK distinguishes paper "serviettes" from cloth "napkins". Canada uses both
terms interchangeably.

pickle gherkin U.S. "pickle" refers to a pickled cucumber, unless otherwise specified (e.g.,
pickled tomatoes, pickled peppers).
UK "pickle" is a broad term that refers to any pickled vegetable, plus several
 U.S. UK Notes

kinds of preserve.

rutabaga swede Scotland: "neep"

scallion / spring Ireland: "scallion". Wales also uses "gibbon". Australia and the New Orleans
green onion onion area: "shallot", and a true shallot is called "French shallot".

shrimp prawn In British, Canadian, New Zealand and Singaporean usage, a "shrimp" is
typically much smaller than a "prawn", while Australian English does not use
the term "shrimp" at all.

takeout / takeaway
carryout / to
go

zucchini courgette Australia follows U.S. usage. New Zealand uses both terms interchangeably.

Learn
U.S. UK Notes

class / course module / unit

college university / uni Usage varies by country; see notes below. As a generic term
for post-secondary undergraduate education, "university" is
also understood in the U.S., though the contracted form "uni"
generally is not.

degree program course [of study] /

degree
programme

faculty academics As in educators (professors, teachers, lecturers/lectors, etc.)

and researchers. In education contexts, U.S. usually
distinguishes "faculty" from "staff": employees who have
neither teaching, research, nor managerial responsibilities. UK
"faculty" refers to a collection of related academic
departments (sometimes referred to as a "school" in the
context of UK higher education).

girl scouts girl guides Canada follows British usage.

Its counterpart, the "boy scouts", generally has the same name
in all countries.

grades / points marks / grades Also U.S. "to grade" or "to check" versus UK "to mark".

graduate / grad postgraduate / As in education above the level of a bachelor's degree.

 U.S. UK Notes

(stage of postgrad
education)

to major in (a to read / to study U.S. "to study (a subject)" can mean majoring, or simply to
subject) (a subject) take any class, or reviewing (UK: "revising") before an exam

private school public school / See notes below.

independent
school / private
school

proctor / [exam] invigilator

supervisor

professor lecturer In the UK, "professor" is a highly prestigious title and a

department rarely has more than one; senior academics may
be titled "readers", and the rest are "lecturers" of varying
levels. In the U.S. and Canada, "lecturer" is sometimes the
formal title for a junior or part-time faculty member, whereas
the word "professor" can be used loosely for any professional
college instructor or reserved for full-time faculty members.
Other Commonwealth countries mainly follow the British
system, but may use "associate professor" instead of the
British "reader".

public school state school See notes below. As in a government-owned, publicly-funded

school open to all students. May be known as a "government
school" in some places.

to review to revise U.S. "to revise" means to make edits to improve written or
printed material

to take (an exam) to sit (an exam) Canada: "to write (an exam)". India: "to give (an exam)".
In the U.S., professional degree students (law, medicine, etc.)
will "take" their school exams, but "sit [for]" their professional
exams (bar, medical boards, etc.).

tuition tuition fees UK "tuition" refers to the educational content transferred to

students

STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY

U.S. UK Notes

acetaminophen paracetamol A common over-the-counter pain remedy. Brand names

include "Tylenol" and "Panadol".
 U.S. UK Notes

attorney / lawyer solicitor / UK terms are not interchangeable; typically clients hire a
barrister / "solicitor" to provide legal advice, who may in turn hire a
advocate / "barrister" (Scotland, South Africa: "advocate") to represent
lawyer the client in court. "Lawyer" is the generic term covering all
these sub-professions in the UK.

Band-Aid / [sticking] plaster A small adhesive used to dress minor wounds. "Band-Aid" is a
bandage trademarked brand name of such items that is widely used
generically. In the UK and parts of the U.S., "bandage" is
understood to mean gauze or elastic bandages intended for
more serious wounds.

caregiver carer

drug store / chemist / The "Green Cross" symbol in the UK and Europe indicates that
pharmacy pharmacy store is a chemist or pharmacy. In the U.S. the same "Green
Cross" symbol has been used by marijuana dispensaries,
gardening suppliers and environmentalists.

ER (emergency A&E (accident & Australia/New Zealand: "ED (emergency department)"

room) emergency)

family doctor / GP (General "GP" is also used in the U.S., but it's possible not everyone will
primary care Practitioner) understand the term.
physician

fire department fire brigade Australia uses "fire brigade" in the state of Victoria, but uses
"fire service" everywhere else. New Zealand primarily uses
"fire service", but "fire brigade" is also used.

physician (generic) medical doctor

/ [medical] doctor

sunscreen sun cream /

sunscreen