English as a second language

[FatJackSprat]

When people learn English as a second language do they generally learn the "British" version or the "American" version. I know they are essentially the same, but there are small differences in the spelling of terms and you don't study a language without reading and writing. There are also certain differences in terminology, such as "gas" and "petrol" for gasoline - or so I'm told. I'm not trying to starting a whizzing contest about which is better, I'm just curious.

 

[FoBoT]

wouldn't it depend on where/who they were learning from?

 

[Anubis]

A "i love you" in England is a cigarette

It depends on where they learn it and where the teacher is from. Just like any language they learn the common one. German - High German, Chinese - Mandarin..... you get the idea

 

[FatJackSprat]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
wouldn't it depend on where/who they were learning from?

Yeah, that would lead to the answer.

Which "version" do more people learn?

I guess I mean if 100 (for instance) people worldwide learn English annually, which version do most of them learn - on average. There might just be no way of knowing.

 

[B00ne]

In school you learn proper English (Oxford English, english English) I learned English in the States (Senior year MCHS, Ky) so I learned american English. And if your English teacher isnt of the anal-Oxford type , she wont have a problem with that

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Here in Europe _real_ English is taught ( ), but kids and adults alike pick up American English from TV, radio and cinema.

 

[FatJackSprat]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1
Here in Europe _real_ English is taught ( ), but kids and adults alike pick up American English from TV, radio and cinema.

I understand that British English will be learned as a primary language by British citizens, but you bring up a point with the worldwide influence of American entertainment.

Does the influence of American entertainment cause people learning English as a second language to want to learn American English? Does this influence make it easier for them to learn American English?

 

[damiano]

yeah
a rubber is an eraser in britain
Imagine when I first moved to south carolina and asked for a rubber in class to some 17 years old girl

 

[B00ne]

I dont know about "want" you just pick it up... American type English is alot easier too (seems so anyway) - it generally uses alot less words and pronounciations seems easier too.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: damiano
yeah
a rubber is an eraser in britain
Imagine when I first moved to south carolina and asked for a rubber in class to some 17 years old girl

Bwahahahah...

Oh, that would be classic.