In this lesson, we're going to talk about American English and British English.

在這堂課程中，我們將要討論美式英文與英式英文 。

Do you need to know the difference?

你是否需要了解它們的差別？

Which one is right?

哪個才是正確的？

Which one should you use?

你該使用哪種英文？

And which one do I use?

還有我所使用的屬於哪種呢？

These are all questions that I get asked all the time by my students!

這些全都是學生們一直問我的問題 。

And in this video, I'm going to answer them for you.

所以在這支影片中，我要為你們解答這些問題。

So the first question: Do you need to know the difference between American English and British English?

首先是第一個問題：你應該要知道美式與英式英文的差別嗎？

Well, you need to know that there are differences.

你確實必須了解它們之間是有差異的。

There are a few different spelling rules, grammar rules and, of course, there's different accents and vocabulary.

有不同的拼字和文法規則當然，在腔調和單字上也會有所區別。

You need to know that there are those differences but that doesn't necessarily mean that you need to study and learn them.

你必須知道兩者之間存在這些差異，但這並不一定代表你必須學習這些差異。

The truth is that all English speakers understand each other, despite the differences in their English.

事實上，英文母語者都能彼此了解，即便他們所使用的英文存在差異。

We watch each other's movies, we read each other's books, we work with each other, we read each other's news.

我們仍會觀看來自各彼此國家的電影、閱讀彼此的著作，也和說著不同英文的人一同工作、閱讀彼此的新聞。

So we're often exposed to the different words and spellings that other English speakers use.. which brings me to the next question.

所以我們通常會接觸到不同母語人士所使用的單字與拼音，這也剛好承接我所要回答的下個問題：

Should you care about the differences between American English and British English?

你應該注重美式與英式英文的差異嗎？

Maybe.

或許這是必要的。

It depends on why you're learning English.

而且這和你為何學習英文息息相關。

You only need to care about the differences if you're studying for an English exam, you're applying for or attending an English university or you're using English professionally for your job.

你需要了解不同英文間的差異，假如你是在準備英文考試、申請或在以英語為主的大學上學，或你正專業地使用英文工作。

Usually, in these situations, you need to pay attention to the spelling and the grammar rules because it can affect your score or even affect your reputation.

通常在這些情況下，你需要注意自己的拼字以及文法規則，因為這會影響到你的成績，甚至是你的名聲。

So if this sounds like you, then you definitely do need to think about whether British English or American English is the right choice for you.

所以如果你確實正處於這樣的情況，那麼你絕對需要思考，到底英式英文還是美式英文對你而言才是正確的選擇。

So which one is right?

那麼到底哪種英文才算正確呢？

Which one should you use?

你該使用哪一種呢？

Its a hard question for me to answer.

這是一個很難的問題。

You need to think about you and your situation.

你必須思考個人的情況。

Are you living in an English-speaking country?

你是居住在英語系國家嗎？

Then of course, use the type of English that is used there.

如果是的話，那麼你就使用當地人所用的英文。

But maybe you're planning to study in an English-speaking country.

但有可能你正在計畫著要前往英語系國家讀書，

Which one?

哪一種英文你該使用呢？

If it's America, then you should be training to learn American English.

如果是美國，那你必須訓練自己學習美式英文。

But if not, then focus on British English because most other English-speaking countries use British English grammar and spelling standards.

如果不是，那就專心學習英式英文，因為美國以外的大部分英語系國家都使用英式英語的文法與拼字規則。

Do you speak to a lot of clients or colleagues who are from America or from the UK?

你需要和許多來自美國或英國的客戶或同事溝通嗎？

This can help you to decide whether you need to study American English or British English.

這可以協助你決定應該學習美式英文或英式英文。

You might think that one type of English is easier than the other and that can also tell you which one you should study.

你可能會覺得其中一種比較簡單，這也能告訴你你該學習哪種英文。

You could choose any of these reasons to help you decide which type of English to study.

可以依據這些理由去做選擇並幫助自己決定應該學習何種英文。

It definitely makes sense to focus on lessons, books and teachers that use one type of English.

專注在僅使用一種類型英文的參考書和老師身上來學習絕對合理，

It just makes it a little less confusing while you're learning.

這會使得學習不那麼困惑。

So focus on either British or American English but remember that the other one exists.

所以就專注在英式和美式英文的其中一種吧！但是請記得仍有其他種類的英文存在。

You don't have to choose one and then never, ever, ever use the other.

你不必因選擇了其中一種英文便因而完全不去使用另外一種。

In fact, that's almost impossible!

事實上，這幾乎是不可能的！

And also one is not more important than the other.

而且不同種類英文的重要性其實並無差異。

But for you, there is probably one that is more relevant to your situation.

但是對你而言，可能其中一種會與自己的情形更為相關。

And that's the one that you should focus on that you should study.

而這就是你所必須集中精力學習的英文了。

Another question that I often get asked is "What type of English do I use?"

另一個我常常被問到的問題是「哪種英文是我所使用的？」

Well, I'm Australian and here in Australia, we follow British English rules for spelling and grammar.

我是澳洲人，在澳洲我們使用英式英文的拼音與文法規則。

And that's actually true for most English-speaking countries outside of America.

而這對於美國以外的英語系國家來說都是事實。

Of course, all English-speaking countries have some unique vocabulary and slang, so there will be different words that you come across that are used for the same thing.

當然，所有的英語系國家都有各自獨特的單字和俚語，所以你有可能會遇到不同的單詞但卻代表同樣的意思。

Now, if you want some examples of that, then check out this video right here.

如果你想知道一些例子那就看一下這裡的影片。

Finally, it's important for you to know that there are some native English speakers who get very protective about their language and they will argue about which way is right and which way is wrong.

最後，你必須了解，有些英文母語者會對於自己的語言有很高的防護性，所以他們會爭論哪些是正確的，哪些是錯誤的。

But most of you, you don't need to worry about this conversation and these arguments and discussions about whose English is better or whose English is right or wrong.

但對於你們而言，不需要為了這類談話感到困擾，像是針對誰的英文更好或是何者是正確何者錯誤的爭論和討論。

What's important for you, is that you keep building your English skills and you practise communicating clearly and confidently.

對你而言真正重要的，是你持續加強自己的英文能力，練習如何清楚並有自信地溝通。

Accept that there are different types of English and that's no reason to get stressed or anxious.

接受不同種類的英文，而你也沒有理由為此感到壓力或焦慮。

It just is how it is.

因為本來就是如此。

The most important thing is that you focus on communicating your ideas and your feelings clearly in English.

最重要的是著重在使用英文清楚傳達你的想法以及感受。

But I do think that it's important to know what the differences between British and American English are so that you know how to recognise them.

但我確實認為瞭解英式與美式英文之間的差異是重要的，這樣你才知道如何去辨識兩者。

So in my next lesson, I'll explain the main differences with lots of examples so make sure you subscribe by clicking that button down there.

因此在我的下一堂課程裡，我將會用大量的例子來解釋英式與美式英文的主要差異，記得按下面的按鈕訂閱。

You'll find out as soon as that video is ready!

等到下部影片完成時，你就會知道兩種英文的差異！

And in the meantime, you can check out these lessons, right here, where I'll be speaking with some other native speakers with American and British accents.

同時，你可以看看這裡的其他課程，在這些課程中我會和其他母語者一起練習美式與英式英文的腔調。

So thanks for watching and I will see you again next week.

謝謝你們的觀賞，我們下周見了。

Bye for now!

掰掰！