You might be able to recognize a British accent or an American accent… but do you know the details of the pronunciation differences? This lesson will teach you some of the major differences (although there are some variations depending on what region of the country the speaker is from).
Differences in Stress in British and American English
Listen to the difference – first in British English, then in American English
- adult
- ballet
- brochure
- garage
- vaccine
- advertisement
- hospitable
Some Words Ending in -ILE are Different in British and American English
- agile
- fertile
- hostile
- mobile
- versatile
In some words, the letter “A” is pronounced differently in British and American English
- bath
- laugh
- class
- chance
- ask
- after
- can’t
- example
The sound of “R” is stronger in American English
- hard
- were
- ear
- pure
- more
- chair
- bar
The -IZATION ending is different in British and American English
- civilization
- organization
- authorization
- globalization
The verb form, globalize, is pronounced the same in both British and American English. But British English maintains this same pronunciation in the noun form – globalization – while American English changes the sound of the letter “i.”
The letter “T” in the middle of a word can be pronounced like a fast “D” in American English
- better
- water
- hated
- writing
- bottom
- native
- artificial
- notice
Improve your pronunciation and
speak English more confidently!
