Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Status
Not open for further replies.

thincat

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Hi,

May I ask if it is grammatical to say "American and British English"? Or do I need to say ""American and British Englishes"?

Thank you!:)
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Re: Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Yes...no.
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Re: Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Note that this is because we don't think of there being two different "Englishes," but rather there being two different "flavors" of one English.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Re: Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Note that this is because we don't think of there being two different "Englishes," but rather there being two different "flavors" of one English.

Some do argue the case for Englishes rather than flavours, but generally the one language, many flavours model is used.
 

thincat

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Re: Can I say "American and British English" or "American and British Englishes"?

Thanks a lot for all of your comments. I have this question because I saw the phrase "World Englishes," which makes me wonder if I can say "American and British Englishes." But after seeing all of your replies, I guess it is an unnatural use.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top