ORTHOGRAPHIC, LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICALDIFFERENCES IN BRITISH AND AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46991/AFA/2024.20.2.20Keywords:
British English, American English, newspaper style, headlines, orthography, grammar, vocabulary, convergenceAbstract
The current article explores the nuanced distinctions between British and American English, particularly focusing on their systematic peculiarities as observed in online newspapers. It discusses how the evolution of newspapers has significantly influenced their style and language over time.
Orthographic, lexical, and grammatical variations are well-known features of both British and American English. This article highlights the primary systematic differences between the two. While historically there has been a clear demarcation between British and American English, recent research suggests that this boundary is becoming increasingly blurred.
Many prominent American newspapers are now adopting orthographic, lexical, and grammatical conventions traditionally associated with British English. Similarly, renowned British newspapers are showing a tendency to embrace simplified spelling and vocabulary more typical of American English. This mutual influence indicates that neither variety is entirely isolated or static; rather, there is a noticeable convergence between them, which is becoming more apparent over time.
Downloads
References
Algeo, J. (2001). The Cambridge history of the English language: English in North America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Algeo, J. (2006). British or American English? A handbook of word and grammar patterns. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Algeo, J. (2010). The origins and development of the English language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Allen, J. (2003). The BBC news styleguide. New York: Sadie East.
Amis, K. (1997). The King’s English: A guide to modern usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Boyd, A. (1994). Broadcast journalism: techniques of radio and TV news. Oxford: Focal Press.
Codas-Coulthard, C. R., & Couthard, M. (1994). Texts and practices: readings in critical discourse analysis. London, New York: Routledge.
Conboy, M. (2006). The language of the news. Oxford: Polity Press.
Conboy, M. (2010). The language of newspapers: socio-historical perspectives. Great Britain: Athenaeum Press LTD.
Crystal, D. (1969). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Crystal, D. (1995). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Crystal, D. (2004). The language revolution. Oxford: Polity Press.
Fairclough, N. (1991). Critical discourse analysis: the critical study of language. New York: Longman Publishing.
Fowler, H., & Fowler, G. (1906). The King’s English. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Fries, P., & Fries, N. (1998). Toward an understanding of language. Amsterdam: John Benjamins
Kennedy, P., & Falvey, P. (1999). Learning language through literature in secondary schools: a resource book for teachers of English. Hong Kong University Press.
Lee, A. J. (1976). The origins of the popular press 1855-1914. London: Groom Helm.
Mmaguire T., & McMahon, A. (2011). Analyzing variation in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McArthur, T. (1992). The Oxford companion to the English language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pennycook, A. (2004). Performativity and language studies: critical inquiry in language studies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Raymond, J. (1993). Making the news: an anthology of the newsbooks of revolutionary England. Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucs: The Windbrush Press.
Raymond, J. (1996). The invention of the newspaper: English newsbooks, 1641-1649. Oxfored:Oxford University Press.
Rohdenburg, G., & Schlṻter, J. (2009). One langauge, two grammars? Differences between British and American English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Salama, N., & Chali, M. (1982). American and British English preferences: spelling, grammar, punctuation, prepositions, vocabulary. Cairo, Egypt: Arab Renaissance Publisher.
Schudson, M. (2008). Public spheres, imagined communities, and the underdeveloped historical understanding of journalism: exploration in communication and history. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Tottie, G. (2002a). An introduction to American English. Malden, MA and Oxford: Blackwell.
Tottie, G. (2002c.). Non-categorized differences between American and British English: some corpus evidence. Malden, MA and Oxford: Blackwell.
Van Dijk, T. (1988). News as discourse. Hillsdale, N: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Van Dijk, T. (1988). Communicating ideologies: multidisciplinary perspectives on languages, discourse and social practice. Frankfurt: Peter Lang.
Wiener, J. (1996). The americanization of the British press: studies in newspaper and periodical history. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Sources of Language Data
20 Americanisms we’re using instead of British words. (2015, April, 2). Good Housekeeping. Retrieved from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/news/a553825/20-americanisms-were-using-instead-of-british-words/
A Castro met a free press, and the world watched it Live. (2016, March, 27). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/28/business/media/victory-lap-and-wink-as-obama-and-raul-castro-meet.html
A Spanish policeman rescued a woman who fell onto the tracks of the Madrid subway system moments before a train arrived. (2023, January, 22). The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com
Archbishop of Canterbury learns identity of biological father. (2016, April 9). BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36002621
Army Truck Rampage’ Driver Arrested for Attempted Murder of Police. (2023, November, 09). The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/¬news/2023/09/11/royal-marines-base-somerset-taunton-murder-army-truck/
Baxter, S. (2016, January, 31). If GPs can’t be bothered with us, let’s go straight to the chemist. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/article/if-gps-cant-be-bothered-with-us-lets-go-straight-to-the-chemist-cjww0k9wx59
Bernard, L. (2024, October, 31). Anthony Albanese accused of seeking free Qantos flight upgrades. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/world/australasia/-article/anthony-albanese-free-qantas-flight-upgrades-6bmlgkgbv
British guns sold to terrorists in secret on Facebook. (2016, April, 09). The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/article/british-guns-secretly-sold-to-terrorists-on-facebook-z2brcsqm2
Bush likely to name 2nd court pick next week. (2005, September, 30). NBC news. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com
Butler, N. (2013, April, 03). The Chinese Connection. The Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com
Callum, J. (2023, August, 08). BioNTech is caught cold as demand for Covid jabs declines. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/biontech-is-caught-cold-as-demand-for-covid-jabs-declines-0pc89fb3h
Cappucci, M. (2015, October, 30). The scent of a season: explaining the aroma of fall. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
Carter, N. (2016, February, 17). How to make perfect biscuits, plus 9 recipes. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-perfect-biscuits-9-recipes-20160216-story.html
Chen, E. (2024, April, 09). Disney is changing its DAS program. What guests with disabilities should know. The USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/-travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/04/09/disney-world-disneyland-disability-access-service-das/73260968007/
Christodoulou, H. (31 May 2023). Woman, 50s, found dead inside house in Plymouth as man, 32, arrested on suspicion of murder. The Sun. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/-news/22536513/woman-found-dead-plymouth-murder-arrest/
Driver kills L.I. constable and is killed. (2004, June, 17). The New York Times. Retrieved https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/17/nyregion/driver-kills-li-constable-and-is-killed.html
Faulconbridge, G. (2024, March, 23). Putin announces arrests as concert attack death toll surpasses 100 in Russia. The USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/-story/¬news/world/2024/03/23/russia-concert-shooting-saturday/73077246007/
Ferguson, M. (2016, February, 19). Taco Maria’s Carlos Solgado wants authentic tortillas. The Los Angeles Times. Retieved from https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-salgado-corn-20160220-story.html
Graff, M. (2014, August, 25). No longer marvellous…now everything is awesome: how Britions are using more American words because traditional English is in decline. The Daily Mail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733912/No-longer-marvellous-awesome-Britons-using-American-words-traditional-English-decline.html
Hall, J. (2013, April, 04). Obama the antichrist? Global warming a myth? Lizard people controlling the world? Conspiracy theory research reveals bizarre beliefs prevalent in US. The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk
Heritage, S. (2018, October, 11). Nigella, Mary and the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/article/nigella-mary-and-the-ultimate-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe-9sqtd3n35
Herrman, J. (2016, April,11). Donald Trump finds support in Reddit’s unruly corners. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/¬09/business/media/in-reddits-unruly-corners-trump-finds-support.html
Hopps, K. (2020, January, 21). Can eating bugs taste nice, be good for your health and save the planet. The Daily Express. Retrieved from https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/-1231257/eating-bugs-taste-health-environment-future-food
Indiana State Trooper Is Fired for Proselytizing During Traffic Stops. (2016, April, 09). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/09/us/indiana-state-trooper-is-fired-for-proselytizing-during-traffic-stops.html
Inspector Sun’ review: A web of cinema classics. (2023, October, 23 ). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/movies/inspector-sun-review.html
It’s odd that an outpost like Milltown-Malbay should hold any place of influence in the story of Mick O’Dwyer. (2014, February, 13). The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/¬article/micko-sparking-banner-to-life-97ckrmrtmxx
Keach, S. (2022, May, 04). Correct order to watch Star Wars movies and TV shows officially revealed by Disney. The Sun. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/¬tech/¬-11542200/star-wars-movies-correct-order-tv-shows-disney-plus-machete-rinster/
Leonard, P. N. (2019, January,10). HL power rankings: penguins, ducks and blackhawks get better at trade deadline, which is bad news for the rest of the league. The Daily News. Retrieved from https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/04/03/nhl-power-rankings-penguins-ducks-and-blackhawks-get-better-at-trade-deadline-which-is-bad-news-for-the-rest-of-the-league
Lepere, I. (2024, March 18). Cancun v Tulum. Whis is better? The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/central-america-travel/mexico/¬cancun-v-tulum-which-is-better-lckm7kr0p
Loehrke, J. (2023, April, 30). Spotted lanternfly eggs will soon hatch across the US. What to know about the invasive bug. The USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/¬story/graphics/2023/04/30/spotted-lanternfly-infesting-us-map/11744924002/
Make time in your busy schedule to visit a friend who needs cheering up – it will cheer you up too. (2013, April, 2013). The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
McDonnell calls to scrap unit keeping out. (2016, February, 25). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com
Pullum, G. (2014, July, 01). Fear and loathing of the English Passive. Language and Communication, 37(1), 60-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langcom.2013.08.009.
Sarnoff, L. (2024, April, 11). 3 sailors rescued from remote Pacific Island after writing help. The ABCnews. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/3-sailors-rescued-remote-pacific-island-after-writing/story?id=109137503
Saval, N. (2016, March, 28). Google and Apple: The high – tech hippies of Silicon valley. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/28/t-magazine/silicon-valley-google-apple-1960s-architecture.html
Smith, S. (2016, March, 06). Use it or lose it. Declutter your kitchen. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/use-it-or-lose-it-26vsb79g9?region=global
Steinbuch, Y. (2016, October, 24). France starts to shut down ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais.
The New York Post. Retrieved from France starts to shut down refugee camp in Calais.
The Country it should be. (2004, May, 09). Newsweek Retrieved from https://www.newsweek.com
Trade Boycott of Ulster. (2021, June,12). The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/¬¬¬¬¬uk/¬article/trade-boycott-of-ulster-bnpx5gl90
Troubled Hinkley hit by renewed controversy. (2017, April, 28). The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.com/
Turner, C. (2016, April, 09). Oxford antique dealer stabbed to death in home. The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/09/oxford-antiques-dealer-stabbed-to-death-in-home/
UK Police retrace fatal journey after 39 bodies found in truck. (2019, October, 23). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
US Petrol price fall brings relief to drivers and hope for Joe Biden. (2023, December, 22). The Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/ffc8bece-4c63-456c-b5b0-69b279540709
Wareing, Ch. (2016, April, 09). Noel Gallagher says he wants to KILL all terrorists as he slams Bono's 'love them until they give up approach. The Mirror. Retrieved from https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/noel-gallagher-says-wants-kill-7723315.
Youde, K. (2024, April, 09). Hermès stakes with mechanical women’s watch. The Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/cf0108a5-9a94-4f73-bcd1-7d163dfba588
Zolfagharifard, E. (2016, April, 08). Could cosmetics soon be used to track you? CIA funds beauty firm that makes face gels capable of collecting your DNA. The Daily Mail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3530607/Will-cosmetics-soon-used-track-CIA-funds-beauty-firm-makes-face-gel-capable-collecting-DNA.html
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
