NOTES TO THE TEACHER OF AN AMERICAN FORM OF BASIC ENGLISH
draft-3

All of the 850 Basic words are completely English in both Commonwealth and USA.
However, the following words will identify the speaker is likely from a Commonwealth country and not American.

General Basic
The following words have been made less significant as a part of life over time.

autobus	bus
basin	bowl
bit	piece
blow	hit
crush	compact	the meaning of "crowd" and "destroy" are lost
learner	student	Learner readily points to "learn", while "student" must go to "study", which has a book reading image
???	truck	"cart for transport" is wowfully inadequate. "Truck" is the American version of a motor carriage or lorry. "Motor" is not Basic, engine is.
smash	crash	most unAmerican on this short list
tin	can	The expression "tin can" is known

apparatus	device	apparatus implies temporary.
cart	car	cart might be more general, but we have various sized cars other than automobile, coal-mine car, bumping cars, etc.
carriage	car	outdated, we have railway car. "Vehicle" is a general word.
instrument	???	probably is an "electronic measuring device". Hand instrument is awkward for "tool".
electric		"electronic" must be added to the derivatives of electric.
Clothing materials, etc.	canvas, cotton, leather silk, wool	These natural materials are now almost replaced with man-made plastics. Wax might be added to this list, tho not used for clothing. At one time the name of a specific plastic was much used : nylon, polyester, acrylic, etc. ; but now the material of cloth of a garment is seldom noted except as a special detail. What word to substitute for these ? "Plastic" is the general name, but for clothing "plastic" is usually replaced with "man made, poly (for polymer), synthetic", and, for hard goods, "resin".
horse		not a real problem with this, but the horse has been replaced with the engine, making the horse less of a necessity. Could be moved to first suppliment of common animal names. But boys and girls love horses.
servant	we have helper	Each is a valid word but the tasks formerly performed by personal helpers has been largely replaced with machines and commerical products. A perceived subservient, second class status has quickened the removal of this word from common use.
porter		self-service at hotels, railroads. Suggest this may be moved to 2nd level, but useful for international travel.
umbrella		might be moved to 2nd (it does not rain as much in US as in Britain and covered walkways reduce need for umbrellas (which are dangerous to the eyes).
whip	---	totally outdated. Make room for another word, such as "truck".

The problem with substituting words is that all Basic literature uses the original 850. Thus the Americanisms must be taught as additional words if the learner/student is to be able to understand classic works of Basic and persons who have learned Ogden's Basic. However, several words are in the 350 next word list : explosion, string, travel, truck.

The following are too trivial to mention except to note that a slighly more common American word also exists.

burst	explode
cord	string	cord is reserved for a particularly strong string.
cushion	pillow	cushion is on a seat; "pillow" is on a bed.
journey	travel
parcel	package
vessel	container	An American might first bring to mind a ship.


Spelling : American English simplifies the spelling of some words.
behavior , color , gray , harbor , humor , plow, program.
whereas Commenwealth tends to use:
behaviour , colour , grey , harbour , humour , plough, programme.
US greater use of 'z' as in "-ize" instead of "-ise" ; "-lyze" vs. "-lyse".
US theater rather than theatre
US uses fewer double letters when adding suffix and fewer final, silent "e's" ; program.
    Except: enroll vs. enrol ; fulfill vs. fulfil ; instill vs. instil
Commonwealth knows of these spellings but, I am told, frowns on them as Americanisms whereas Americans smile on the alternatives as quaint.

Secondary word lists.
Moving to the secondary word lists. Most significant is the light-weight metal.

aluminum vs. aluminium

There is a marked pronounciation difference with this word.

alu min um   vs. al u min e um

US: ax vs. axe ; US: neighbor vs. neighbour

Mid-Atlantic.
This expression describes a mingling of the two Englishes, primarily in that publication forces use of one spelling. And spelling must be consistant within any one work. The larger American audience often means American spelling comes forward -- catalog vs. catalogue.

References : Webster's New World College Dictionary -- American ; Oxford Concise English dictionary -- British ; Oxford Companion the English Langauge -- everything ; Wikipedia - for amusement.

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Last updated December 1, 2007 . Third draft.
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