Pronunciation and Accent: Distinctive American Sounds

The English spoken in America developed distinct pronunciation features separating it from British English.  The “Rhotic” Accent Most American English dialects are rhotic, meaning speakers pronounce the "r" in words like car and hard, unlike many British accents where the "r" is dropped.  The "Flat A" and Vowel Shifts American English als

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Vocabulary: The Most Visible Influence

One of the most obvious ways America has influenced English is through the introduction of new vocabulary — words that originated in America, words adapted with new meanings, and words reflecting American innovations and culture.  Indigenous Words Adopted English borrowed many words from Native American languages, especially names for local fl

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The Colonial Era and Global Influences (17th–20th centuries)

  English as a Global Language With the rise of the British Empire from the 17th century onward, English came into contact with a vast array of languages worldwide, from India to the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific.  Loanwords from Around the World English incorporated words from many foreign languages, often related to flora, fauna, cultur

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