Sat Sep 28 13:06:52 UTC 2024: ## Brits are Winning the Language War: American English Embraces Britishisms
New York, NY – American English is becoming increasingly influenced by British English, a trend explored in Ben Yagoda’s new book, “Gobsmacked!: The British Invasion of American English.” The book, now the #1 New Release in Lexicography on Amazon, chronicles the rise of Britishisms in American speech and writing, showcasing words like “one-off,” “go missing,” “curate,” and “cheeky” that have gained popularity in the U.S.
Yagoda, an acclaimed writer and language commentator, attributes the shift to various factors, including the globalization of media and the internet’s ability to erase regional differences. He notes that while Americans have long adopted British words and phrases, the process has accelerated since the beginning of the 21st century.
The book highlights specific examples, such as the use of “run-up” to describe the period before a significant event, a term popularized by the New York Times in 2003 during the lead-up to the Iraq War.
The article sparked lively discussion online, with readers sharing their own observations and debating the role of factors like Harlequin romance novels, published in British English, and the Americanization of British books.
While the internet has undoubtedly accelerated the exchange of vocabulary, some commenters argue that American media’s influence on Canadian culture has created a unique situation where Canadians seem largely unaware of their distinct usage of language.
The article concludes with a reminder of the ongoing, sometimes subtle, influence of British English on American language, demonstrating the complex and evolving nature of language in a globalized world.
First Piper 