Compare Contrast Between UK and US, Essay Example

Introduction

United Kingdom is the largest in terms population in the world, which makes it be 22nd. Its population is 61284806 people. It has an area of 243610 square kilometers making it be 79th largest country. United Kingdom has played a key role in advancing science and literature and developing parliamentary democracy. United Kingdom pursuesa global approach to the foreign policy because it is a founding member of commonwealth and NATO, and it is among thefive permanent members of UN Security Council. Based on land area and population, United States is one of the largestcountries in the world. United States has an area of 9826630 square kilometers with a population of 319510848. Manypeople thought the two countries are the same, but they are far different in terms of land area, population size, English used, and even the currencies they use.

Comparison

Both United Kingdom and United states have two legislative houses one upper and the other one lower. In United Kingdom, the upper is the House of Lords while the lower one is House of Commons. In United States, the upper one is senate while the lower one is House of Representatives. The public elects the members of the two houses by voting, which is conducted after four years.

The difference in British English and American English is spelling. American English has more phonetic andeconomical spelling compared to that of United Kingdom. The words are spelled as they sound and unnecessary lettersare left out. Another difference in the two countries is pronunciation. The difference is brought in by stressing the word in different places or using different vowel sounds. In terms of vocabulary, the number of words used in the two countrieshas a small difference. The learners have a problem in these words, as they are common in both languages. There are many words, which the Americans use, but the Britons understand them. On the other hand, the Americans understandother words used by the Britons.

Those who are speaking American English are generally using present perfect tense far less as compared to thosespeaking British English. When speaking American English, it is common to use simple past tense in place of presentperfect tense if it was British English. Due to the interaction, Britons and Americans have brought in other English wordfrom other countries. This has made the Britons keep the spelling of words brought from other countries such as French. On the other hand, Americans have adapted the spelling to reflect the way the words sound when they are spoken. In terms of culture, American English is spoken in USA, Canada, and other Pacific Rim countries in which America has exerted some pressure or influence. British English is spoken in all British Commonwealth states, which are 54 states. The most notable countries are United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, with Canada beingexceptional.

The commonwealth countries are driving on the left while Americans are driving on the right because of theEnglish interpretation. In addition, meaning of the colors displayed by the road signs is opposite in commonwealthcountries and America. The eating and drinking ages differ in both countries. The age at that one is allowed to drink in United States is 21 while in commonwealth countries is 18. In addition, bars in USA close at 2am by law while, in Britain, it closes at 11 pm by law.

Conclusion

The English difference in the two countries is making life somehow complicated. This is because when foreignerscome to one of the countries, they will not communicate easily due to the difference in spelling, pronunciation, and evengrammar. The foreigner might be coming from the commonwealth country where driving is on the left, it will not be easyto drive and keep road signs in America. In addition, it will not be easy to observe the eating and drinking habits, as it will take some time for one to understand.