摘　要

在西方经济、政治、文化的影响下，英语对全球语言正在产生广泛的影响。英语作为英美文化信息的载体和表现形式，完美的表现出了英美独有的文化。本文从英式英语和美式英语两种语言在发音、拼写、词汇和语法四方面的差异进行分析。通过比较英式英语和美式英语的差异，可以看出社会文化因素对语言的产生和流传有决定作用,并且通过分析英语的这两大变体，折射了英美的、社会生活、国家历史、地域文化、各自的文化特异现象等等。由于英语本身具有词汇量大、包容性大、表达简洁的特点，英语语言的发展趋势将向着共同语与多样化并存的方向发展。

关键词：英国英语；美国英语；差异

Abstract

Under the influence of the western economy, politics, and culture, English has being generating its effect on the global language. English, as the information carrier and manifestation of British and American culture, perfectly shows the unique culture of Britain and America. This thesis compares and analyzes the differences of British English and American English in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and grammar. The analysis shows the decisive role of social and cultural factors in the origin and development of a language. Through the analysis of the these two variants of English,  British and American social life, national history, regional culture, and cultural phenomena are reflected respectively. Because English is a language featuring a large vocabulary and latitude, and a simple but concise expression, the developmental trend of English language will be in the direction of the common and diversified language

Key words: British English; American English; difference

1 Introduction
British English and American English are the two major varieties of English in the world today. They belong to the same language – English. There’re common grounds between them due to their developing independently with the different historical backgrounds, geography and culture. Of course, there are also many differences between them. As the English learners, it is necessary for us to get somewhat acquainted with the differences between them to help our study and keep us from unnecessary trouble. Because someone who doest’t know British and American English clearly, has a prejudice about British and American English, like "which is better?" This thesis makes an analysis and comparison of British English and American English in terms of history, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and grammar, hoping to help know the differences between British and American English completely and objectively.