Which English Dialect is Better for Physics and Travel: American or British?

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The discussion centers on the choice between learning American English or British English, particularly for someone aspiring to be a researcher in physics and travel abroad. Participants emphasize that the differences between the two forms of English are minimal, primarily involving pronunciation, spelling variations, and some vocabulary (e.g., "elevator" vs. "lift"). It is suggested that learners should choose the version that is more accessible to them, considering local language schools and resources. The conversation also touches on accents, with humorous remarks about various regional dialects and their intelligibility. Ultimately, the consensus is that either form of English is acceptable, and understanding the differences is more important than the specific variant chosen.
  • #31
The sun never goes down on the British Empire, at one time you had colonized a great portion of third world countries, for example Canada.
 
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  • #32
How do you distinguish an Australian from a NewZealander and an American or a Englishman ?
When I see Ballack (German footbal team member), I immediately know he is a German origin.
 
  • #33
YChromatic said:
How do you distinguish an Australian from a NewZealander and an American or a Englishman ?
When I see Ballack (German footbal team member), I immediately know he is a German origin.

I'm not sure I understand.

You can't distinguish between them, visually. Each of those countries have citizens of every race.

But each has a distinct accent of Engish. You can easily tell them apart.*

Hmm, do any PFers know if Australia or New Zealand have geographic differences in accents?

Edit: well maybe native speakers can tell them apart a lot easier.
 
  • #34
lisab said:
Hmm, do any PFers know if Australia or New Zealand have geographic differences in accents?
They do differ in accents, but I doubt I could tell.
 
  • #35
lisab said:
I'm not sure I understand.

You can't distinguish between them, visually. Each of those countries have citizens of every race.

But each has a distinct accent of Engish. You can easily tell them apart.*

Hmm, do any PFers know if Australia or New Zealand have geographic differences in accents?

Edit: well maybe native speakers can tell them apart a lot easier.
Thank you sweet lisab. :!)
Hihi, I thought I tried to recognize them by facial and skull structures (someone able to help me with hints is always best appreciated)

The below image is for lisab only[/color]
Please ignore my colors used, I just like them all
 

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  • #36
hager mahdy said:
hi
my name is hager
iam from egypt
please help me iam very despair

i want to ask you aquestion

whats the better to learn american english or british english
i want to be searcher in physics and to travel abroad

and in my whole life

whats honestly the better thing to me please help me?

without prejudice


thaaaaank you


Well, I think it is fair to say British English--being that is what all other forms are derived from.

Truthfully, and as others have already said: there isn't much difference really between American and British English; maybe some very slight pronunciations and spellings--as in the case of Al-lu-mih-Num versus Al-lu-miN-Yum (certainly nothing to get into trouble over).

If you ultimately decide American, they say that the accent (or lack there of) that television news tries to emulate is the "Great Lakes" sound--which, in my opinion, is like having no accent at all.
 
  • #37
FrancisZ said:
If you ultimately decide American, they say that the accent (or lack there of) that television news tries to emulate is the "Great Lakes" sound--which, in my opinion, is like having no accent at all.

Midwestern, yep yep. Lots of sports announcers/TV anchors have that accent.
 
  • #38
lisab said:
He pronounced "kinetic energy" so strangely. The first "i" in kinetic was long, and he said energy as if it didn't have the letter "e". Like, "KY-net-ic INN-i-gee". Never heard it pronounced that way by anyone else, and I can still hear his voice in my head.
:biggrin: Y'got summa that thar KY-net-ic INN-i-gee.

Anyone remember Charlie Farquharson and his Jogfree of Canda?
 
  • #39
I had the pleasure of working with a lady from New Zealand once. Her accent resembled that of officer Crabtree a bit. Luckily she was fully aware of the communication complications.

 
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  • #40

Funny, yes, but you do know the difference between "laugh tracks" and "filmed before a live studio audience," don't you?
 
  • #41
Not the point, although they go through a great length to try and decieve that's indeed a live studio audience.

Check time 1:25 - 1:27



But that lady really had something of that accent with the most unexpected vowels. That was the point
 
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  • #42
Andre said:
Not the point, although they go through a great length to try and decieve that's indeed a live studio audience.

Hilarious, Andre, but how in the world do you reconcile these sort of antics with the OP, to wit:

hi
my name is hager
iam from egypt
please help me iam very despair

i want to ask you aquestion

whats the better to learn american english or british english
i want to be searcher in physics and to travel abroad

and in my whole life

whats honestly the better thing to me please help me?

without prejudice


thaaaaank you
 
  • #43
Ah but the conversation had drifted towards new Zealand accent:

lisab said:
...
Hmm, do any PFers know if Australia or New Zealand have geographic differences in accents?..

Hence I illustrated my experience with New Zealand accent, as I perceived that it compared to

Pst3azDYfiI&[/youtube]
 
  • #44
Andre said:
Not the point, although they go through a great length to try and decieve that's indeed a live studio audience.

2007 edition was special:

On 22 March 2007, a one-off special episode entitled The Return of 'Allo 'Allo! was filmed in Manchester, and was broadcast on 28 April 2007 at 9 pm on BBC 2. The storyline involves René writing his memoirs after the war, and the events from the final episode in 1992 have been overlooked. The new scenes were interspersed with clips from the original series and new interviews. The actors who reprised their roles were: Gorden Kaye, Vicki Michelle, Sue Hodge, Kirsten Cooke, Arthur Bostrom, Guy Siner, Robin Parkinson, John D. Collins and Nicholas Frankau. Jeremy Lloyd wrote the new material.
 
  • #45
I can't believe Allo Allo is a big hit over there. :-p
 
  • #47
YChromatic said:
Thank you sweet lisab. :!)
Hihi, I thought I tried to recognize them by facial and skull structures (someone able to help me with hints is always best appreciated)

The below image is for lisab only[/color]
Please ignore my colors used, I just like them all


Aw that's sweet, thanks YChromatic! Your colors are starting to grow on me, I think :smile:.

(Note that's colors not colours :-p)
 
  • #48
Evo said:
The sun never goes down on the British Empire, at one time you had colonized a great portion of third world countries, for example Canada.

I laughed for awhile.
 
  • #49
Dickfore said:
I laughed for awhile.

Well in all fairness it didn't just jump to being a "1st world" country.
 
  • #50
jarednjames said:
Well in all fairness it didn't just jump to being a "1st world" country.

What's a 1st world country?
 
  • #53
Dickfore said:
So, what is it?

If you can't be bothered to read, that is your problem not mine.
 
  • #54
jarednjames said:
If you can't be bothered to read, that is your problem not mine.

Providing a link is considered low-content posting. If you can't bother to explain your argument with more than a link and sarcastic comments, that is your problem, not mine. What is a "1st world country"?
 
  • #55
Dickfore said:
Providing a link is considered low-content posting. If you can't bother to explain your argument with more than a link and sarcastic comments, that is your problem, not mine. What is a "1st world country"?

First World countries in general have very advanced economies and very high Human Development indices. On the other hand, the United Nations defined the First World on the wealth of the nation's Gross National Product (GNP). The definition of the First World is now less concrete than during the Cold War.

Does that help? Nothing more to add really. I think that says it all.

And don't have a bash at me. 30 seconds on Google would answer your question and yet you post it for someone else to answer for you. Don't take it personally, I just find this rather irritating.
 
  • #56
First World countries in general have very advanced economies and very high Human Development indices. On the other hand, the United Nations defined the First World on the wealth of the nation's Gross National Product (GNP). The definition of the First World is now less concrete than during the Cold War.

Good thing Canada was not founded after WWII then, I guess.
 
  • #57
Stop bickering. This has all been in good fun so far. Let's keep it that way.
 
  • #58
Jasongreat said:
We were peopled by, as well as part of the british empire. So one could say we also had claim to those wars, as well as the win where we separated and formed the US which would put us one up. :)

-1 for Vietnam.

American spelling makes more sense, I think; and, I have to confess, I like the Texas accent. Recieved Pronunciation is not too bad so long as it isn't over the top: an example of a nice accent is Stephen Fry's. I suppose mine would be considered Cockney, or a derivation thereof.
 
  • #59
Dickfore said:
Providing a link is considered low-content posting. If you can't bother to explain your argument with more than a link and sarcastic comments, that is your problem, not mine. What is a "1st world country"?

It is very odd that you have never heard this term. jj was right is presuming you'd need to educate yourself about it.
 
  • #60
jarednjames said:
If you can't be bothered to read, that is your problem not mine.

I agree with you, Jared. I followed the link and actually learned something! Everyone's heard of "third world countries," but I'd always thought it had to do with them being at the bottom third, economy-wise.

Now I know better. Thanks for the link!
 

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