Changes

In many ways, compared to British English, American English differs in its grammar, phonology and vocabulary. Many of these differences were amplified by separate attempts in both Britain and the United States to standardize English usage. For example, Webster's dictionary was influential in firmly establishing many of the American spellings now in use today. President [[Teddy Roosevelt]] endorsed an effort to remove spellings that many Americans perceived to be cumbersome and illogical from the English language as used in America.  The [[Chicago Tribune]] also embarked on its own effort to simplify spelling and make it more phonetic.

In many ways, compared to British English, American English differs in its grammar, phonology and vocabulary. Many of these differences were amplified by separate attempts in both Britain and the United States to standardize English usage. For example, Webster's dictionary was influential in firmly establishing many of the American spellings now in use today. President [[Teddy Roosevelt]] endorsed an effort to remove spellings that many Americans perceived to be cumbersome and illogical from the English language as used in America.  The [[Chicago Tribune]] also embarked on its own effort to simplify spelling and make it more phonetic.

Today, American English is often regarded as a distorted version of British English by native English speakers living outside North America. In fact, many international organizations, especially academic ones, regard British English exclusively as proper English.

Today American English is simpler and more phonetic than British English. Sometimes as an expression of [[anti-American]] sentiment, however, non-Americans will insist that use of British English is exclusively proper English, the implication being that American English is somehow "non-standard", which is obviously untrue as British English itself is not a unified standard either.

 

Some people regard the development and subsequent use of American English as a testament to the silliness of American society.

[[Category:English language]]

[[Category:English language]]

[[Category:United States]]

[[Category:United States]]