Two Questions about language

[Skywalker76]

Hello everyone.
I have two questions.
I was exploring the Collins Cobuild dictionary CD-ROM, and for every word in the dictionary there would be many written examples. Some of the written examples are labeled British written and some American written.
Why is this so? Is British writing different from American?
My second question is about foreigners that speak English.
I am Arabic, but I lived in America when I was 5 years old. When I speak English I realize that most of the time I'm translating Arabic sentences into English and many times these sentences are not used in English and simply do not make sense.
Please let me know if this mental process that I just described has a name?
I recall somebody asking me once If I think in English? Is that question related to my subject at all?
Thank you!

[Tdol]

There are many small differences between American and British English- spelling, vocab and grammar. When the first language affects the second language, it's often called L1 interference.

[Skywalker76]

Thank you tdol!
I have been thinking about language interference for a very long time and with your help I just found out that some research has been done on the subject.
I'm really determined to eliminate the L1 interference.

[Tdol]

Best of luck with the elimination.