Global English: American vs. British English

English as a Global Language

• Crystal's work from 2003 explores the concept of English expanding worldwide

Differences in American and British English

• Punctuation for quotations varies: American English uses “I’ll be at work by 8 am.”; British English omits the quotation mark before I'll.
• Dates are formatted differently: American English starts with the month (February 19, 2019), while British English starts with the day (19 February 2019).
• Spelling differences include "center" vs. "centre," "color" vs. "colour," "organize" vs. "organise," and "program" vs. "programme."
• Different words are used for common items: "elevator" (US) vs. "lift" (UK), "pants" (US) vs. "trousers" (UK), and "diaper" (US) vs. "nappy" (UK).
• Idiomatic expressions include "ruffled feathers (agitated)" in American English and "knickers in a twist (agitated)" in British English.
• Pronunciation of "vase" differs: American English pronounces it as /veɪs/ (like "VEYZ"), while British English pronounces it as /vɑːz/ (like "VAHZ").

Culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language

• Racism is discrimination against a person based on race.
• It is generally best to avoid identifying people by race, mentioning it "only if it is relevant".
• Avoid words that reinforce stereotypes.
• Terms by which racial/ethnic groups refer to themselves evolve, so reading newspapers and watching news helps keep up with current preferences.
• Research helps determine acceptable/preferred terms for groups.
• “Native American” has been politically correct for indigenous peoples; they now prefer reference by specific nation or tribe.

Religion

• It is important to be sensitive to religion when referring to ethnic groups.
• Avoid assumptions that stereotype a race, nationality, or ethnic group with a specific religion.

Gender and Sexual Orientation

• Sexism is prejudice and discrimination based on sex or gender.
• Use gender-neutral words/phrases, instead of gender-biased ones.
• Pronouns can be gender-biased, and can be avoided by dropping pronouns, using plural constructions, or replacing them with "one" or "you."
• "Man-made" should be "manufactured", "layman's terms" should be "ordinary terms", and "chairman" should be "chairperson".
• "Stewardess" should be "flight attendant", "manpower" should be "labor", a "male nurse" should be a "nurse", and a "woman layer" should be a "lawyer".
• Instead of saying "Each student should submit his term paper by Monday," say ""Each student should submit a term paper by Monday."
• Instead of saying "You should hand in your term paper by Monday", say "Students submit their term papers by Monday."
• Be sensitive to new attitudes about homosexual, transsexual, and transgender people.
• Most gay people prefer "gay" to "homosexual".
• "Lesbian" is preferred by gay women.
• Transgender people prefer to be referred to as being the gender they identify as, not their birth gender.
• Refer to societal groups in the way group members prefer.

Social Class

• Class discrimination (classism) is prejudice against a person because of social class.
• "White trash" is a classist term against poor white people in the rural Southern US.
• The rich are referred to as "preppie" and "yuppie".
• In the Philippines, "conyo" and "jologs" are derogatory terms related to class.
• "Informal settlers" has replaced "squatters" to mean those in poverty.

Age

• Ageism is discrimination based on age.
• Avoid assuming older people are less physically/intellectually or emotionally able.
• The capabilities of younger people should also not be underestimated.
• Refer to a person's age only when it is pertinent.
• Ask people which label related to age, such as "youth", they prefer.
• APA advises to use women and men for those 18 and older, and girls or boys for those younger than 18.

Disabilities

• Discrimination in this area often arises as a result of a lack of understanding and awareness.
• Distinguish terms such as impairment, disability, and handicap.
• Focus on the person rather than the condition.
• Instead of “the mentally retarded,” to use instead “people with mental retardation".
• Instead of “the blind” and “cancer patients,” use "people with vision impairments” and “people being treated for cancer".
• Use identity-first language.
• Arinto (2009) suggests avoiding "confined to a wheelchair" because wheelchairs enable people to escape confinement, and using "person with AIDS".
• Replace “abnormal” with “atypical".

Strategies to become an effective global communicator

• Review communication principles
• Analyze the message receiver
• Be open to and accepting of other cultures
• Learn about cultures, apply learning
• Consider language needs