The United States and the United Kingdom

The British Empire
The English language was introduced to America through colonization.
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The first English settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607.
The language also spread to other parts of the world as a result of British trade and colonization. By 1921 the former British Empire controlled a population of 470 to 570 million people (a ¼ of the world’s population).

The History of English
Over 400 years, the English language has changed into two versions we refer to as American English and Standard British English.
Differences include: pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, idioms, and formatting of dates.

Dates
The way dates are formatted in the UK & USA is different:
05/01/2013: British English – DD/MM/YYYY
01/05/2013: American English – MM/DD/YYYY
The way UK and USA speakers say dates is also different:
5th of January 2013 – British English
January 5th, 2013 – American English
It gets a bit confusing!

Spelling
American English does not use the letter U in words ending in –or.
Example: Labour/ Labor, Favour/Favor, Savour/Savor, Colour/Color
American English does not always use double consonants.
Example: Traveller/Traveler
American English has changed words ending in “re” to “er.”
Example: Fibre / Fiber, Centre / Center, Theatre / Theater
American English has changed “C” to “S” in words.
Example: Defence / Defense, Offence / Offense
American English has changed “S” into “Z.”
Example: Recognise / Recognize, Hyponotise / Hypnotize, Realise / Realize

Vocabulary
There are many objects that are described by different words in British and American English.
Examples:
Dustbin and Trash Can
Rubbish and Garbage
Differences most likely to create confusion are those where the same word or phrase is used for two different objects.
Examples:
French Fries ? Chips
Chips ? Crisps
Crisps ? Chips
Chips ? French Fries

Pronunciation
The /ae/ sound becomes /a:/ in American English.
Example: Fast / Path / Grass
The /o/ sound is pronounced with lips rounded only in British English.
Example: Not / Lot / Hot / Top
Unaccented syllables are very slightly pronounced in British English.
Example: literature.
Ts are less pronounced in American English.
Example: Meter / Twenty
The double T turns into a D sound in American English.
Example: Kettle / Battle / Bottle / Little

Pronunciation
Vitamin
Garage
Controversy
Scone
Schedule
Aluminum / Aluminium