Nikki Andruschak Neal
LAP #8
Chapter 8: Sociolinguistics: Language and Society
Exercise 1: British and American Accents
Pages 189-191
A. The following is a list of British Expressions. Check the websites below for their American
English definitions.
1. To lose your job as it is no longer needed = to be made redundant
2. Terminated or fired = to be sacked
3. To wake someone = to knock someone up
4. Call someone = to ring someone up
5. An elevator = a lift
6. A truck = a lorry
7. A flashlight = a torch
8. Frech fries = chips
9. Apartment = flat
10. Hood of a car = bonnet of a car
11. Trunk of a car = boot of a car
12. Fuel/Gasoline = petrol
13. Stroller = pram
14. Panties/Underwear = knickers
15. Diaper = nappy
16. Fanny pack = bum bag
B. Pronounce these word pairs as the phonetic transcription indicates and decide which is
British pronunciation and which is American. On YouTube you can find many videos comparing British and American pronunciation.
Been /bin/ British
/bɪn/ American
Schedule /skɛdyul/ American
/šɛdyul/ British
Renaissance /rɛnesans/ British
/rɛnɛsans/ American
Lieutenant /lɛftɛnənt/ British
/lutɛnənt/ American
Nasty /nasti/ British
/næsti/ American
Pardon padən American
pardn̩ British
Water wɔtr̩ American