对于Non-Native English Speakers的中国大多数学习英语的人说来，英国人和美国人使用的是完全相同的语言——English。即使有机会去英国或美国留过学的人，倘若不是从事语言研究或教学的人，也未必能察觉到英语和美语的差异。或许那些有机会在这两个国家都生活过一段时间的少数人，能实际感受到英语和美语这两种语言的不同。

在一定意义上说，美语是在英语基础上分离出来的一个支系，或者如某些语言学家们所说的，美语是一支一直在美洲土地上的英语（transplanted language）。虽然英语和美语两种语言的主体部分（语法、词汇、读音、拼写等）是相同的，美语在其发展过程中受其独特的历史、文化、民族、地域等各种因素的影响，形成了自己的特点，与英语有显著不同。马克·吐温就曾说过：“English and American are separate languages, … When I speak my native tongue in its utmost purity an Englishman can’t understand me at all.”（ The stolen White Elephant, 1882）。英语和美语的主要差异表现在词汇、读音、拼写及说话的气质等方面。

对于一个生活在英美两国之外的第三者说来，English只是一种语言，在学习过程中对英语和美语“兼收并蓄”，英语与美语的差异或许并不构成他与英美人士交流的障碍。而对使用同种语言的英美人说来，由于使用的词语不同，或词语的内涵不同，反而会造成他们之间的误解。

英语和美语在用词方面差异甚大，以致在二次大战中，美国军方不得不向派往欧洲战场的美国士兵和后勤人员每人发一本《生活指南》（A Short Guide to Great Britain）。这其实就是一本美语——英语对照词典，里面收集了近二百条美国日常生活中使用的，而在英国则是罕见或生疏的词语，用英国人熟悉而美国人未必知道的对应词语加以对照注释。与此同时英国军方也为派往美国受训的皇家空军飞行员每人准备了一本《Notes for Your Guidence》的小册子，目的也是帮助这些前往美国的英国人学会他们也许根本没听说过的美国日常生活用语。

虽然美语在其发展过程中从未间断与英语的相互交流，尤其是在二次大战之后，随着两国政治、经济、文化、科技关系的发展，英语与美语也相互影响，相互渗透，但这并未能消除英语和美语之间的差异。

读音方面 英语和美语在读音上的差异主要反映在元音字母a, o 和辅音字母r 的不同读音上。
1，在ask, can’t, dance, fast, half, path 这一类的单词中，英国人将字母a 读作[a:]，而美国人则读作[?]，所以这些词在美国人口中就成了[?sk][k?nt][d?ns][f?st][h?f]和[p??]。

2，在box, crop, hot, ironic, polish, spot这一类单词中，英国人将字母o读作[)],而美国人则将o读作近似[a:]音的[a]。所以这些词在美国人读起来就成了[baks][krap][hat][ai'ranik][paliJ] 和[spat]。

3，辅音字母r在单词中是否读音是英语与美语的又一明显差异。在英语的r音节中不含卷舌音[r]，而美语的r音节中含卷舌音[r]，如下列词在英语和美语中读音是不同的：

英语读音 美语读音
car [ka:] [kar]
door [d):] [dor]
river ['riv2] ['riv2r]
party ['pa:ti] ['parti]
board [b):d] [bord]
dirty ['d2ti] ['d2rti]
morning ['m):ni9] ['morni9]

英语中只有在far away, for ever, far and wide等连读情况下，字母r才明显的读作卷舌音[r]: [fa:r2'wei][f2'rev2][far2ndwaid]。

4，在以-ary或-ory结尾的多音节词中，英国人通常将a或o弱读，而美国人不仅不弱读，还要将a或o所在的音节加上次重音，所以这些词在英语和美语中不仅读音有差异，节奏也显然不同，例如：

英语读音 美语读音
dictionary ['dikJ2n2ri] ['dikJ2nori]
laboratory [le'b):r2tri] ['l?br2,tori]
necessarily ['nesis2rili] [,nesi'serili]
preparatory [pri'p?r2t2ri] [pri'p?r2,tori]
secretary ['sekr2tri] ['sekr2,tori]

5，而在以-ile结尾的另一类单词中，英国人将尾音节中的字母i读作长音[ai]；而美国人则弱读作[2]，例如：

英语读音 美语读音
docile ['dousail] ['das2l]
fertile ['f2tail] ['f2rtl]
fragile ['fr?d3ail] ['fr?d32l]
hostile ['hostail] ['hastl]
missile ['misail] ['mis2l]

除此之外，另有一些难于归类的单词在英语和美语中读音也各有不同：

英语读音 美语读音
clerk [kla:k] [kl2rk]
either ['ai92] ['i:92r]
figure ['fig2] ['figj2r]
issue ['isju:] ['iJu:]
leisure ['le32] ['li:32r]
neither ['nai92] ['ni:92r]
schedule ['Jedju:l] ['sked32l]

以上关于英语和美语读音不同的比较，是仅就大多人的读音或标准读音而言的，不考虑地区或方言的影响。

 
拼写方面 美国人是一个注重实用的民族，在其文字的拼写方面，他们也是采取了实用主义的态度。在美语的发展过程中，在拼写方面也曾出现过类似我国简化字的运动(The simplified Spelling Movement)，删除了单词拼写中不发音的某些字母。拼写上的不同是英语与美语的又一差异。归纳起来有以下几种情况。
1，英语单词中不发音的词尾-me, -ue在美语拼写中被删除。

英语拼法 美语拼法
公斤 kilogramme kilogram
方案 programme program
目录 catalogue catalog
对话 dialogue dialog
序言 prologue prolog

2，英语中的以-our结尾的单词，在美语中删去了不发音的字母u。

英语拼法 美语拼法
举止、行为 behaviour behavior
颜色 colour color
特别喜爱的 favourite favorite
风味 flavour flavor
荣誉 honour honor
劳动 labour labor

3，英语中以-re结尾，读音为[2]的单词，在美语中改为-er结尾，读音不变。

英语拼法 美语拼法
中心 centre center
纤维 fibre fiber
公尺 metre meter
剧场 theatre theater

4，英语中某些以-ence为结尾的单词，在美语中改为- ense结尾，读音仍为[ns]。

英语拼法 美语拼法
防御 defence defense
犯法行为 offence offense
执照 licence license
托词 pretence pretense

 
英语中以-ise结尾的动词，美语中则拼作-ize。例如：

英语拼法 美语拼法
批评 criticise criticize
组织 organise organize
实现 realise realize
辨认 recognise recognize
使标准化 standardise standardize

6，英语中以双写-ll-拼写的部分词，在美语中只有一个-l-，例如：

英语拼法 美语拼法
地方议员 councillor councilor
顾问 counsellor counselor
珠宝商 jeweller jeweler
奇异的 marvellous marvelous
包裹 parcelled parceled
旅行 travelling traveling

7，英语中以- xion[-kJ2n]结尾的词，美语中拼作-ction，读音不变。

英语拼法 美语拼法
联系 connexion connection
弯曲 inflexion inflection
反射 reflexion reflection

除以上几类词的拼写不同外，也还有一些常见的，在英语和美语中拼写各异的无法归类的词。例如：

英语拼法 美语拼法
支票 cheque check
监狱 gaol jail
路边的镶边石 kerb curb
小胡子 moustache mustache
犁 plough plow
睡衣裤 pyjamas pajamas
怀疑的 sceptical skeptical

英语和美语除了上述几个方面的差异之外，在说话时，英国人和美国人的气质也不一样，在声调、语气、节奏上都各有自己的特点。多数英国人会认为美国人说话声音刺耳，缺乏音乐感（unpleasantly harsh and unmusical）；而美国人则会认为英国人说话声音憋在嗓子眼里，呜里呜鲁的（throaty and gurgling）。而在第三者听来，英国人说话似乎过于做作，颇有京戏演员说白的感觉，而美国人说话则轻快随和，给人自然大方的感觉。这大概就是为什么有那么多人热心学美语的缘故吧。

以上写了英语和美语的某些差异，笔者并无进行贬褒之意，只是想提醒读者在阅读教材或听录音时稍加留意，以增强理解与运用能力。

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2. 这个价格对我挺合适的。
错误: The price is very suitable for me.
正确: The price is right.

Ｎｏｔｅ：suitable(合适的、相配的)最常见的用法是以否定的形式出现在告示或通知上，如：下列节目儿童不宜。The following programme is not suitable for children在这组句子中用后面的说法会更合适。

3. 你是做什么工作的呢？
错误: What’s your job?
正确: Are you working at the moment?
Ｎｏｔｅ：what’s your job这种说法难道也有毛病吗？是的。因为如果您的谈话对象刚刚失业，如此直接的问法会让对方有失面子，所以您要问：目前您是在上班吗？Are you working at the moment? 接下来您才问：目前您在哪儿工作呢？Where are you working these days?或者您从事哪个行业呢？What line of work are you in?顺带说一下，回答这类问题时不妨说得具体一点，不要只是说经理或者秘书

4. 用英语怎么说？
错误: How to say?
正确: How do you say this in English?
Ｎｏｔｅ：How to say是在中国最为泛滥成灾的中国式英语之一，这决不是地道的英语说法。同样的句子有：请问这个词如何拼写？How do you spell that please?请问这个单词怎么读？How do you pronounce this word?

5. 明天我有事情要做。
错误: I have something to do tomorrow?
正确: Sorry but I am tied up all day tomorrow.
用I have something to do来表示您很忙，这也完全是中国式的说法。因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做，躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。所以您可以说我很忙，脱不开身：I’m tied up.还有其他的说法：I can’t make it at that time. I’d love to, but I can’t, I have to stay at home.

6. 我没有英文名。
错误: I haven’t English name.
正确: I don’t have an English name.
Ｎｏｔｅ：许多人讲英语犯这样的错误，从语法角度来分析，可能是语法功底欠缺，因为have在这里是实义动词，而并不是在现在完成时里面那个没有意义的助动词。所以，这句话由肯定句变成否定句要加助动词。明白道理是一回事，习惯是另一回事，请您再说几话：我没有钱；I don’t have any money.我没有兄弟姐妹；I don’t have any brothers or sisters.我没有车。I don’t have a car.

7. 我想我不行。
错误: I think I can’t.
正确: I don’t think I can.
Ｎｏｔｅ：这一组然是个习惯问题，在语法上称为否定前置，这就是汉语里面说“我想我不会”的时候，英语里面总是说“我不认为我会”。以后您在说类似的英语句子的时候，只要您留心，也会习惯英语的说法的，

8. 我的舞也跳得不好。
错误: I don’t dance well too.
正确: I am not a very good dancer either.
Ｎｏｔｅ：当我们说不擅长做什么事情的时候，英语里面通常用not good at something，英语的思维甚至直接踊跃到：我不是一个好的舞者。

9. 现在几点钟了？
错误: What time is it now?
正确: What time is it, please?
Ｎｏｔｅ：What time is it now这是一个直接从汉语翻译过的句子，讲英语的时候没有必要说now,因为您不可能问what time was it yesterday, 或者what time is it tommorow?所以符合英语习惯的说法是：请问现在几点了？还有一种说法是：How are we doing for time?这句话在有时间限制的时候特别合适

10. 我的英语很糟糕。
错误: My English is poor.
正确: I am not 100% fluent, but at least I am improving.
Ｎｏｔｅ：有人开玩笑说，全中国人最擅长的一句英文是：My English is poor.实话说，我从来没有遇到一个美国人对我说：My Chinese is poor. 无论他们的汉语是好是坏，他们会说: I am still having a few problem, but I’m getting better. 当您告诉外国人，您的英语很poor，so what(那又怎么样呢)，是要让别人当场施舍给我们一些英语呢，还是说我的英语不好，咱们不谈了吧。另外一个更大的弊端是，一边不停的学英语，一边不停地说自己的英语很poor,这正像有个人一边给车胎充气，又一边在车胎上扎孔放气。所以您可以实事求事地说 – I am not 100% fluent, but at least I am improving. 我的英语还不算十分流利，但至少我在进步。

11. 你愿意参加我们的晚会吗？
错误: Would you like to join our party on Friday?
正确: Would you like to come to our party on Friday night?
Ｎｏｔｅ：join往往是指参加俱乐部或者协会，如：join a health club; join the Communist Party.事实上，常常与party搭配的动词的come 或者go。如go a wild party，或者come to a Christmas Party。

12. 我没有经验。
错误: I have no experience.
正确: I don’t know much about that.
Ｎｏｔｅ：I have no experience这句话听起来古里古怪，因为您只需要说：那方面我懂得不多，或者这方面我不在行，就行了。I am not really an expert in this area.

13. 我没有男朋友。
错误: I have no boyfriend.
正确: I don’t have a boyfriend.

14. 他的身体很健康。
错误: His body is healthy.
正确: He is in good health.　You can also say: He’s healthy.

15. 价钱很昂贵/便宜。
错误: The price is too expensive/cheap.
正确: The price is too high/ rather low. .

16. 我们下了车。
错误: We got out of the car.
正确: We got off the car.

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They were paying respect to the man who led them out of poverty and helped the country rise like a phoenix.

Exactly 30 years ago, the Party decided to launch its reform. Deng, the main drive behind that decision, has since been called the “chief architect” of the country’s reform and opening up.

“My parents feel they owe a lot to Deng. If not for him, they couldn’t have traveled beyond the confines of their small county,” said Zhou Xiaoqi, a 28-year-old engineer. His parents have traveled from their Hubei province home to spend the winter with Zhou, working for a hi-tech firm in Shenzhen for the past four years.

Born in the early 1980s, Zhou knows little of the seclusion and shortages of products his parents still talk about. But he said: “I do remember meat was a luxury when I was a kid. We used to save the best stuff for guests or festivals.”

Today, like many office workers his age, Zhou enjoys dining out with friends and singing at karaoke bars.

As one of the four special economic zones Deng decided to set up in 1979 to drive forward reforms, Shenzhen has been transformed from an obscure fishing village to a gleaming metropolis. It is now seen as a window to China’s economic reform.

“Unlike other big cities, nearly everyone is a migrant here. Everyone speaks Putonghua and people don’t distinguish between ‘us’ and ‘them’ here,” said Guo Minggang, a photographer with a bridal shop.

From rags to riches

Xu Shenqiu used to be a teacher in Shandong province when China ushered in the reform and opening up. In the late 1980s, he followed his friends into business, and within a few years he had amassed a fortune by running a department store in Jilin province.

Now Xu, 54, and his wife are on a two-week trip to Antarctica.

“Perhaps this is my parents’ unique way of celebrating 30 years of reform and opening up,” said their daughter, Xu Yuan, 27, a student of journalism at Japan’s Doshisha University.

“When my father started, he was just dreaming of a more exciting life. But he ended up with a much bigger fortune than he could have imagined,” she said.

Journey ahead

But there are people who still have to struggle for a living despite the rapid economic growth, especially because the global financial crisis has dealt a big blow to China’s exporters and manufacturers.

Wang Gang, 22, had to return home in a rural area of Henan province in October because the electronics firm he used to work for in Shenzhen downed its shutters.

Usually, he would have returned during Spring Festival loaded with gifts for his family. But this time, he was forced to return empty handed because his wages had been cut in half.

“My pay used to be at least twice of what I made from farming. I even bought my father a motorbike last year.”

In Wang’s home county of Zhengyang, his six-member family grows crops on 0.3 hectare. “Even if we plant gold, our income would at best be meager.”

The wide income gap between the rich and the poor and urban and rural residents, along with building in capability of withstanding financial risks and achieving sustainable development will continue to pose a challenge to the country for years, said Liu Yunxian, a researcher with the Executive Leadership Academy in Shanghai’s Pudong.

“In decades to come, there’s a lot China needs to do to maintain fairness and social harmony and improve people’s livelihood,” he said. “The reform and opening up have brought China’s 5,000-year-old civilization to a new height, but this is not the end.”

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My english isn’t very good.

The line is bad. / This is a bad connection.

I can hardly hear you.

I didn’t get that.

Could you speak more slowly, please?

Could you speak louder, please?

Could you repeat that, please?

Could you spell that, please?

Sorry? Pardon?

One the Phone

I must ring off now

I will phone back later. / I will ring you at about ….

Just a moment,please.

I can’t get through. The line is busy./The line is engaged.

rexleed is on holiday/out for lunch/away on business/not in yet/speaking on another line/not available at the moment.

Would you like to hold?

Cordless phone/cellular phone

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1) Buying a ticket

· I’d like to reserve two seats to New York.

· Will that be one way or round trip?

· How much is a round trip ticket?

· It’s $819. Will you pay by check or by credit card?

· Here’s my Visa Card. Can we get an aisle seat please?

· You can choose your seat when you check in.

2) Checking In

· Can I see your ticket and passport, please?

· Here they are. Can we get one seat near the aisle?

· Yes, that’s no problem. You’re in seats 27B and 27C.

· Thanks. Where do we go next?

· Go to Gate A8, straight ahead then turn left.

3) On the Airplane

· Would you like something to drink?

· Could I have Coke with no ice?

· Here you are. Please fill out this form before the plane lands.

· What is this form for?

· It’s a Customs and Immigration form. You will use that in the airport before you can enter the country.

· 4) The Arrival

· Thank you for flying East West Airlines!

· I had a good trip. Thanks for your help.

· It was our pleasure and we hope to see you again.

5) Getting through Customs

· Do you have anything to declare?

· I just have one bottle of wine. It’s a gift for my friend.

· How much wine is in the bottle?

· It contains 750ml. (milliliter)

· That’s fine. Have a nice stay.

6) Getting your luggage

· At which carrousel will our luggage be?

· At number 5, over there.

· Great! I’ll get a cart right away.

· Be sure you have your luggage ticket.

· Yes, it’s right here attached to my plane ticket.

7) Going through Immigration

· What’s in the small bag?

· I have a laptop computer and some books.

· Could you open it please and turn on your computer.

· Sure. It will take a few moments to boot up.

· Okay, everything seems okay. You can go.

Get out!

· Excuse me, where can I get a taxi?

· Go down to the end of the hall and the taxis are waiting just outside.

· Thank you!

gate; departure gate

departure lounge

FLT No (flight number)

Food:

Sprite, water, hot water, no ice, coke, diet coke, tea, hot tea, coffee, drink,

Apple juice, orange juice, tomato juice, chicken, beef, fish, vegetarian, rice,

Noodle, smashed potato

Other:

Pillow, blanket, visa, customs, customs declaration, itinerary, duty-free shop

Visa:

Issue date, visa type/class, issue at, control No., nationality, birth date

Toilet:

Syn. W.C.; lavatories; rest room; men’s; gent’s; gentlemen’s women’s;lady’s

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off the record, how are things now?

concerned(+about/for/over)

She is concerned about your safety.

concerned(+in)

Everyone who was concerned in the affair regrets it very much.

concerned(+about/for)(+to-v)(+that)

She’s most concerned to solve this problem.

anxious

syn.: worried eager

ant.: easy

malicous

No one likes a malicious telltale.

reputation

syn. : report repute

e.g. : Americans have the reputation of being very hospitable people.

write on

e.g. : You should write on every other line.

in particular

abbreviate

e.g. : In writing, the tile ‘Doctor’ is abbreviated to ‘Dr’.

granular

e.g. : This is Oracle’s great new hope for giving the old DATE datatype a more granular mechanism of holding

not only date and time information but also fractional seconds.

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